Just before the new year I decided I wanted to try and fit more exercise into my every day life. I love to exercise but it’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. Once I feel myself getting bored, I find it so hard to find the motivation to get going. The key for me is to occupy myself with something else. Don’t let yourself go down that rabbit hole! Which is when i decided to implement home workouts into my daily life.
I love to swim, as you probably know from my previous article – The Fitness Edition – Swimming. They put the lanes out at lunchtimes so i try to go twice a week. I also swim a lot because I was given a membership to my local pool by my parents for Christmas. So, technically, I get each swim for free! If you can’t afford a membership, perhaps you could go swimming in a lake instead?
DVD’s
There are so many amazing workout dvd’s you can buy these days that aren’t at all expensive. The only workout dvd’s I have tried so far are the 10 Minute Solution Workout DVD’s. They are good but more beginner level. If you run marathons…etc, these won’t be that great. However, they’re a really good place to get started on toning and building on your fitness levels.
Online Workouts
Many people just can’t afford to spend £50, £60 per month on a gym membership! Don’t be disheartened, there are many Youtube videos out there you can watch to help get you started. However, if you’re looking for something with a community feel, then check out online platforms such as Shapes Studio. They are an online community of individuals dedicated to transforming their bodies and minds. They offer a mixture of videos on pilates, dynamic pilates and cardio pilates. They’re videos are between 15 – 20 minutes long which make them easier to fit into a busy lifestyle. You can either opt to become a member and pay monthly, or just pay when you want to watch a specific video. Oh and when you register, you can also watch a video free of charge to see if it might be something you’re interested in.
The Equipment
Over the years I have some how managed to stock up on a load of pretty random exercise gadgets. However, you really don’t need that much ‘stuff’ to workout at home.
However, here are a few of the most important bits of equipment you should start off with.
Headphones
A decent pair of headphones. Putting music on in the background just doesn’t have the same effect as having headphones in. Headphones help me to focus my brain on each of the exercises. You don’t have to spend much at all these days. You certainly don’t need the latest Apple headphones (which you’ll need to mortgage your house to buy). There are so many great ones available at MUCH lower prices. Just have a browse on places like Amazon and read the reviews.
Ankle Weights
You can either put these on and walk around the house in them for lighter exercise. Get your leg/butt muscles working a little harder as you do odd jobs around the house. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit harder, use the ankle weights while you do your home workout. A very cheap option to increase the intensity of your workouts.
Arm Weights
The lighter weights – 2KG – 4KG, are perfect for toning your arms. You don’t need large, heavy weights to get some muscle and your arms looking more toned. Add a few extra reps with even a 2kg weight and you’ll see a big difference!
Resistance Bands
These are awesome and so cheap to buy. Plus they can be stored pretty much anywhere being so small. I use mine to help me warm up and cool down after/before a workout.
Stretching is so important and will actually help you get toned more quickly. The SKL Resistance Bands Set is perfect for warming up your muscles. The booty bands set are perfect for your targeting your glutes. The longer resistance bands are great for warming up the upper body, or as a muscle burner at the end of a workout.
Workout Clothing
You really don’t need to have top of the range workout clothes to have an effective workout. As long as they’re comfortable to wear and don’t get in the way of your work out, anything would be fine. Personally, I like to get my sports bras from Gymshark as they fit the best and feel the most comfortable.However, I get my gym shorts from Fabletics as I love the high waist brands. Whatever you go for, just make sure it’s comfortable!
That’s pretty much all of the equipment I use. I mainly use my bodyweight while working out at home. You just have to get creative. Use a chair to step up and down on – great for the bum and thighs.
All the fancy gym equipment and money can sometimes help but using what you have is also a really great place to start. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with what you have at home. You can try out kegel exercises for improved sexual health as well which need no equipment at all.
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