Workout at Home? Yes, You Can!

There are times – especially during the cold weather in the Northeast – when I just don’t want to venture outside to the gym. – that’s the last thing I want to do. But those are the times I usually skip my workouts – and I feel it. Lately, I’ve found that skipping too many exercise sessions makes me feel, well, lousy..my body gets stiff and sluggish, my joints get a bit achy and my mood plummets. I need to get those endorphins pumping.

So, I’ve begun to think about and research various ways to stay fit when you’re stuck inside the house. Maybe that’s you, too…or maybe you just don’t like gyms and would rather get your moving done in the privacy of your home. If you were to read into varying workouts that focus on your different body muscles and regions, for example, this chest and tricep workout or any others like it – there could always be a way that you can reimagine some of the exercises to be completed in the privacy of your own space instead of a public gym! But make sure to choose a space that gets enough air and light. Keep doors open to let air in, and also consider using security screens that can prevent your nosey pets from disturbing you! You can approach companies like Campbell Window Film – Security Screens are effective in pet-proofing.

If you wanted to make a greater investment into your home fitness then you could start a project of building your own gym or even start small and rent some gym equipment to see if it is something that you would be interested in doing. It is important to find out how much does it cosst to build a home gym or how much it costs to rent gym equipment and this will give you an idea as to whether it is a sensible thing to do.

Whatever the reason, there are lots of ways to get and stay fit at home. If you thought it wasn’t possible, it is!

And remember – every single step counts. It all adds up. At the end of the day, you’ll have done more than you think.

1. You don’t need heavy weights. Here’s the good news: Research shows that lifting lighter weights works just as well as lifting heavier ones – you just need to increase your repetitions. If you lift to the “point of exhaustion,” experts say, it doesn’t matter how heavy they are. I have three sets of weights at home – 2, 3 and 5 pounds. They’re stashed on an out-of-the-way shelf in my family room, close enough for me to grab while I binge watch The Crown or Goliath (love these!) Take a look at this set on Amazon. And here’s a video I came across that shows Hoda Kotb doing three at-home exercises that look super-effective (and the trainer isn’t bad, either 🙂
2. You can use what you have – you! Even if you’re short on time – or equipment – you can still workout using your own body weight. A perfect example: a push-up. Here’s one good example of a few effective moves. And here’s another. I just bought myself this workout mat so to cushion my hardwood floor. I unroll it in the morning while my coffee is brewing and do a few stretches to warm up my creaky joints…and bring it out again some nights to get in some ab work and get in some relaxing stretches. I’m so happy I bought it – a small investment that’s already paying big dividends.
3. Consider a fitness tracker. Some people love them, and some can’t see the point. Personally, wearing a fitness tracker makes me more aware of the need to move and get in as many steps as I can – and I know quite a few people who have lost massive amounts of weight and turned their sedentary lives into active ones, thanks to the gentle reminder that steps do matter. This is the one I use, but there are so many variations on the style and price.
4. Look around your house for opportunities. I remember when my sons first got their driver’s licenses – and they took every opportunity to go out to do errands for me. (I used to joke that they’d go to get a dozen eggs – one egg at a time.) Does your house have stairs, counters, walls? Sure it does. You can strengthen your legs and get some aerobic benefit from the stairs; you can do push-ups against the kitchen counter (or a wall) while you wait for the water to boil; and you can do squats against the wall to strengthen your quadriceps and help stabilize and strengthen your lower body. I’m also thinking about introducing waist training exercises into my regime so the muscles in these areas are strengthened. Apparently it also has some other benefits too, so I guess we’ll soon see.
5. Turn on the music. Lots of research has verified the positive effect that music has on exercise – for me, there’s no question that I work out much harder and more enthusiastically when a great song is playing. (Maybe for you it’s a podcast or a book on tape.) Whatever the variety, whatever the reason, it helps to have a “companion” along for the ride. Here’s an example of some good workout music from Fitness Magazine.

Need to reset your exercise mojo? Click here.

Why strength training is so important (it’s not only about great-looking arms).

Here’s an article I wrote, way back when, after interviewing the late Jack LaLanne.

And finally, this Disclosure: MySoCalledMidlife is an Amazon affiliate – which means that I receive a small commission for any purchases made through this website.