The COVID-19 pandemic has put the majority of people in self-isolation, keeping them at home and less physically active. If you actively exercised before this situation or always wanted to start working out, this may seem like a setback in your plans. But it doesn’t have to be. You have the greatest place to work out in the world at your disposal — your home. It will also give you an excellent routine to keep when all this is over and the life returns to usual busy self, or when you can’t make it to the gym. If you are wondering how to start working out at home, here are some fitness 101 tips that will have you moving.
Turn it into a daily routine
The hardest part of exercising at home is starting and then turning it into a routine. For this reason, it’s best to choose the same time to exercise, like in the morning or evening. This way, the workout can become a part of your daily rituals before you go to work, or to sleep. It doesn’t have to be something big in the beginning, so you don’t discourage yourself from continuing. Start with 10 minutes of yoga, 20 push-ups or walk in place one mile while watching the news. Once you are used to this newness, you can increase the tempo and expand the workout plan.
Choose your workout spot
Another important part of working out at home is designating a spot where to do it. No matter how small your home is, you can always create enough room to exercise. For example, yoga will require only the amount of space needed to spread a mat. You can use dumbbells while sitting down on a couch and do push-ups by the bed. The idea is to establish a place where you can exercise every day so it will become a continuing habit.
Find the perfect exercise
Staying at home can be a perfect opportunity to try various workouts available online. The web is full of videos and tutorials you can try for free and see if that exercise is right for you. In a way, you will have a virtual instructor that will teach you how to warm up and cool down properly — two important elements of every workout routine.
Build a buddy system
If you have a hard time to start working out, reach out to another person for support and build a buddy system. This can be someone from your household, or you can team up with a friend online and do your workouts over video chats. If you live with a partner or spouse, this may be a great opportunity to do something together and stay active at the same time. Having someone else by your side will help you stay consistent and stick to your workout plan.
Dress right
The clothes you wear while working out matters and can be of great help to create your exercise routine. Every time you change into your workout apparel, you will tell your brain that it’s time to exercise and empower yourself to not quit. Buy clothing that is comfortable and will inspire you to work out, just like you would in a gym. Moisture-wicking and sweat-proof gear are the best activewear that will allow you to have a functional workout. Just make sure to change out of your workout clothes the moment you finish and wash them after every use to avoid rashes, acne, and other medical problems.
Get some equipment
Even with advised self-distancing, you can still get equipment by ordering it online from specialized stores, like Cyberfit. Workout gear, like exercise mat, barbells, resistance bands, or pilates ball can make all the difference when starting to exercise at home. If you invest in the right equipment, you may not have to spend money on gym membership anymore and can continue working out from the comfort of your home.
It can still be demanding
Your workout plan can be as demanding as you want it to be but start slow in the beginning until you turn it into a habit. There are many ways to have a hard workout at home even without all the machines at the gym. This means that you can get equally sore from the workout, so try to build up your stamina little by little without exhausting yourself from the start to avoid injuries. For example, banded kickbacks are great for glutes, while squat to overhead press will have your whole body active.
All in all
Observe working out at home as an advantage that will allow you to find the perfect exercise without spending too much money or time on the gym. Self-isolation is daunting, but with physical activity, you can kill the time, promote the production of feel-good hormones, and help you build an efficient workout routine. That way, you will come out of this pandemic with better physical and mental health, as well as improved lifestyle and habits.
