Ever wonder if home workouts are as effective as the gym? It’s easier and more effective than most people think. Gone are the days of driving through rain or snow to get to a gym.
From the convenience of home, you can get a sweat inducing workout, whether it’s cardio, strength, or stretching. One of the best benefits is privacy. No one is watching you and you’re not distracted by watching others.
Regardless of where you do your workouts, you get out of it what you put into it!
What you need to get fit at home
With a few simple things, you can do home training workouts that work! Here’s a few things to keep on hand:
- Get a workout mat. A good thick mat helps absorb shock. It also reduces the chance of injury, especially if you do a lot of cardio jumping. You’ll appreciate the comfort when performing moves on your knees.
- Workout shoes. Get a good pair of workout shoes to protect your feet. I keep a pair of good workout shoes that I only wear indoors. That way my workout area stays clean. That’s one thing that always bothered me about going to a gym. In group classes, the floor exercises always grossed me out between the sweat and filth from dirty shoes.
- Exercise gear. You’ll need some gear like dumbbells and exercise bands. You can find great deals on dumbbell sets. I keep a couple of weight sizes around and that’s it!
- Willingness to stick with it and reach your goals!
Try sample workouts of some of my favorites!
Can you gain strength with home workouts?
If you’re used to using the strength building machines at the gym, you may wonder if you can increase strength with home workouts.
Yes, you absolutely can build muscle with home exercises.
There are 2 ways to gain strength:
- Bodyweight exercises (my favorite)
- Dumbbells and barbell weights
You can use a variety of bodyweight exercises to build muscle. Keep these principles in mind: increase reps and number of sets, while decreasing rest time. Some exercises that work well are:
- Pushups
- Burpees
- Tricep dips
- Lunges
- Squats
Better yet, follow a guided workout with an online trainer so you can learn the basics. My favorite training for bodyweight exercises is Shaun T, a Beachbody trainer.
Check out Shaun’s sample workout on Beachbody On Demand.
You can also perform your favorite weighted exercises to build strength. Make sure you have a decent set of weights at home.
You can do most strength exercises at home that you did at the gym. Or you can follow a trainer online and have some fun!
Beachbody On Demand has a workout for everyone. There’s many expert trainers that focus on strength building with weights.
Don’t forget to stretch
Regardless if you do cardio or strength training, be sure to stretch! You can perform stretches on your own or do yoga at home. I love yoga. It’s energizing and gently helps stretch out all body parts.
Are home workouts the future of fitness?
While gym workouts are wonderful and a great way to meet people, home workouts are effective and convenient.
Even before the Covid pandemic, an overwhelming number of people did their exercise at home. It’s always been perfect for busy people, stay-at-home moms, and convenient for everyone.
One of the most important things for me and my family was staying active during Covid. We continued our healthy eating habits and included home workouts into our daily routine.
We also went outside to walk, run, and hike for the added benefit of being out in nature and getting fresh air.
I stopped going to a gym in 2010 and am in the best shape of my life. No waiting on exercise machines or having to wipe down someone’s else’s sweaty mess!
I get to create my exercise program to address my needs, whether it’s cardio, strength, or yoga.
I’m so thankful that Beachbody provides 100’s of streaming workouts with expert trainers. I can mix and match the workouts or follow a more standard schedule.
Really, there’s something for everyone. You can give it a try with the free trial. Explore the workouts, try the sample workouts to get a feel for the various trainers, and get fit!
