Forget the Gym, Work Out at Home!
Although the gym may offer the help of a trainer, machines and all the necessary equipment, sometimes you may not have the time to go or be able to afford a membership. However, those aren’t good enough excuses to not work out! In this article, we’ll give you some options for a great workout at home. Forget the gym!
Working out at home: anything’s possible
Perhaps you don’t like the idea of going to the gym because it’s too far from home, it’s expensive or you don’t like to watch other people work out. Maybe you don’t have the proper clothes, you have a tight schedule or you simply don’t feel confident enough.
No matter what your reason is, the truth is that you can work out at home. All you need is the commitment, determination, and discipline. Some basic exercises you can start with are:
1. Jumping rope
You’ll need enough space so that you don’t break anything with the rope, but the equipment is very cheap. You can even use any rope that you have in your home. It may seem like it’s not the most complete exercise there is, but it actually is.
Jumping the rope will make you sweat, improve your breathing, burn calories, strengthen your heart, and it’s really fun to do. You can start by jumping slowly and then stepping it up a notch. Try jumping with one leg, to the rhythm of the music, by lifting your knees to your chest.
2. Crunches
Although this may not be your favorite exercise, you must know that crunches are very good for working on many areas of the body. Besides toning your abs, they’ll make your legs, arms and back work too. It all depends on your workout routine and how many repetitions you do.
Lie on your back on the floor (on a mat or a towel). Flex your knees and place your hands behind your neck. Raise your chest and back from the floor. All the effort should be on your abs and not on your neck.
Once you manage this basic technique, make it a bit harder: lift your legs and hold them like that. Repeat the movement with the chest. You can also do bicycle crunches by flexing and stretching your legs alternately and touching each leg with your opposite elbow. For example, right leg stretched, left leg flexed, your chest must go to the left with your right elbow touching your left knee.
3. Burpees
Want an exercise that makes all of your muscles work? Burpees are must if you work out at home. They require a certain level of effort, but the results are totally worth it.
To start, stand with your legs slightly apart. Lower your torso and flex your knees. Then place your hands on the floor and stretch your legs to the back. Do one push-up, bring your legs forward and stand up. That’s one repetition. Try to do at least 10!
4. Yoga
More and more people are benefiting from yoga. You don’t need to go to a class or practice it outside of your home. You can make different yoga poses in your living room, or even better, in the backyard or on the balcony.
Although many say that in order to do yoga, you need a ‘special’ mat, the truth is that a blanket, towel or bedsheet will do just fine. Find different videos to guide you through a whole yoga routine and enjoy this wonderful exercise.
5. Squats
This exercise works your quads and improves your posture. Besides, squats are a great way to burn fat. It all depends on the energy you put into it.
To start we recommend that you do basic squats before adding some variations such as the one where you open your legs more (sumo squats), or squatting with your back against the wall (iso squats), using dumbbells in both hands, etc.
6. Dumbbell lateral raises, forget the gym and the equipment
Finally, for this exercise, you’ll need dumbbells. Except you don’t need them! You can use anything you have at home! Such as a bag of flour or a water bottle.
Stand up with your back straight and take one weight in each hand. Raise your arms at shoulder-height (forming a T shape with your whole body) and after a few seconds return to the initial position.
So, what do you think about working out at home? Doesn’t it sound like a better idea? Forget the gym! You’ll save money, you’ll choose the best time to do it and you don’t even have to leave your home!