Though getting in shape is a priority for many of us, finding the time to exercise on a regular basis can be difficult in today’s ultra-busy world. So, working out in your own home seems like an ideal solution as you don’t have to go through the effort and cost of joining a gym or health class. And just because you are working out at home, it doesn’t mean that you can’t vary up your exercises and achieve your fitness goals.

 

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Effective fitness programs tend to have five key stages: a warm up, an aerobic session, resistance exercises, flexibility moves and a cooldown. If you are incorporating these five stages into your home workout, you should find yourself on the fast-track to success. Here is some advice if you are looking to make working out from home a more regular thing.

 

Avoid Boredom by Challenging Yourself

As we have already talked about, one of the great enemies of a successful workout from home is boredom. Of course, you won’t have the same variety of equipment or access to classes that you get at a gym, but that doesn’t mean that your workout has to be ineffective. There are a few core pieces of equipment which are very versatile and allow you to take part in a variety of exercises. So, consider investing in a yoga mat, exercise ball and set of dumbbells as a starting point. Make sure to always browse through the internet and fitness magazines to find new ideas of workouts you can do to always keep things interesting.

 

Choose a Space to Workout

Whatever kind of space you are using to take part in your workouts, you want it to be as free from distractions as possible. Even if you just section off a corner of the room, you should let your family know that you don’t want to be disturbed while you are exercising. Some portable speakers are a great way to block out the outside world while also pumping out motivational music. If you can find a space with a full-length mirror, this is a major plus point as you can better examine your form and technique, while also helping to prevent yourself from suffering from any injuries.

 

Schedule Your Workouts

 

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The best fitness regimes are based around a rigid schedule. If you try to set aside some time for yourself on a regular basis to exercise, you are more likely to stick to this than if you simply choose to do it at any time. If something comes up and you need to change your exercise plan, make sure to reschedule this time rather than simply letting it pass you by. The great thing about working out from home is that you don’t have to factor in any travelling time so all the minutes you do have spare can be spent effectively.

 

Consider a Workout DVD or Online Class

The great thing about a workout DVD or online class is that everything is planned out for you so you don’t have to go through the effort of building a fitness program yourself. With so many different options out there, you can determine what your goals are and which program is best suited to helping you achieve them. As well as this, the workouts last for a specified amount of time so you can fit them easily around your daily life.

 

Build Your Own Home Gym

If you have plenty of space and a decent budget, you could even consider creating your very own home gym. If you have a self-contained space like a basement or a garage, this would be ideal. We have already talked about the more affordable pieces of equipment you could stock it with (dumbbells, exercise ball etc) but there are also plenty of ‘big-ticket’ items that you could consider investing in. A popular choice is a rowing machine as it provides a great all-round workout. If you are thinking of buying one, there is a website here that lists reviews and you should check it out. Another option is a treadmill if you are a big running enthusiast. Ultimately, it all depends on your budget and the amount of space you have, but there is no reason that you can’t build a decent home gym with some more basic items.

 

Write About Your Workouts

 

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Keeping a workout journal is a great way to chart your progress as well as tracking the effectiveness of different exercise regimes. If you have set yourself particular goals with regards to weight loss or any other area of fitness, you can monitor how you are getting along in your journal. Even if you have a bad day, it is still a good idea to write about this as you may be able to determine a pattern which you can break in the future. Also, you can keep track of your diet to better find out what impact this is having on your workouts.

 

Build Working Out into Your Regular Routine

One of the most difficult parts of staying fit and healthy is building exercise into your regular routine. Many people exercise for short bursts of time before letting things slide and going back to their old ways. The key is to make exercise as integral a part of your life as sleeping or eating. A good time to workout every day is just after your wake up. Your motivation levels will tend to drop as the day goes on and you are more likely to lose your focus and slip back into your old habits.

 

Work Out with Someone Else

A workout buddy will significantly help to raise your level of motivation, so whether you choose your partner or a friend, strength in numbers is certainly a phrase that applies in this case. Ideally, your workout buddy will be someone who is a little bit above you in terms of ability so you will naturally be pushed to try that little bit harder.

 

*This is a collaborative post.