Having the motivation to workout is one thing but working out on your own is a whole other ball game. And yet, it’s one of the best things we can do for both our physical and mental health. Working out from home is fast becoming the new lifestyle trend and it remains an accessible and affordable way to stay fit and healthy without the need to join a gym.
At GTLN, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable fitness equipment that’s easy to store so you can work out anywhere you like. And we’ve put together our top 5 tips for working out on your own from Miri, our in-house PT.
So, what are they?
1. Schedule time to train
The freedom of not paying for a gym membership also means that you might be less motivated to go through with your fitness plan. This is why having a routine is absolutely vital. To keep you on track, schedule time in your diary when you know you’ll be available and can stick to it. Keep this schedule in view so you don’t forget, and don’t cancel the time you set aside! Remember you only need 20-30 minutes and that can have such a positive impact on the rest of your day.
2. Eliminate distractions
One of the biggest obstacles when working out on your own and at home, is all of the distractions in your home environment. For starters, there’s the TV, household chores, and other household members, not to mention that cosy bed that might look more inviting than a sweaty session in your home gym… But to get the most from your workout, you need to minimize any unnecessary distractions. Tell family members you’re unavailable, mute notifications on your phone, and close the door.
3. Create a fitness space & get the right equipment
The next thing you want to do is set up a designated space where you can get into your fitness groove. Whether that’s a designated home gym or a room that doubles up as a flexible workout space. Ideally, you want this space to reflect a place where you work out and work hard – a place you go to regularly where you won’t be disturbed. It also needs to be big enough to fulfil your workout needs – and cool enough to be comfortable.
And of course, no workout is complete without the right equipment. A great starting point is a dumbbell set or an adjustable kettlebell that you can adjust to suit you and the level of difficulty you want to go for. Whatever you get, make sure you’re using equipment that you actually enjoy using so that you keep your exercise routine going in the long-term.
4. Keep things varied
Once you’ve got the basics sorted and you’ve set up a routine, the next step is to keep things varied. Because ultimately, that will be your falling point if you fail to mix things up. We’re complex beings who can get bored very easily – hence why we say variety is the spice of life! Doing the same workout every time is not going to be good for you, both physically, or mentally, so make sure you’re consistently switching it up. If you’ve done a couple of cardio workouts earlier in the week, next time do a weight training workout, and so on. And if the weather’s nice, go outdoors for your next session. Changing up your workout environment can do wonders for your training progress.
5. Develop some accountability
Just because you’re working out on your own doesn’t mean you should feel alone in your workout plan. And one of the hardest parts of maintaining a healthy exercise routine is sticking to it every time. That’s why developing a sense of accountability is absolutely key. Find an online workout buddy or a friend with similar fitness goals so you can spur each other on. Sharing in this experience will make it more enjoyable and will motivate you even more to achieve the plan you’ve set for yourself.
Training on your own at home is effective, convenient, and inexpensive, but that doesn’t make it easy. With distractions, other commitments, and lack of space, it can prove more of a challenge to begin with but following these 5 simple tips can make all the difference to your commitment and overall performance. Get started with our fitness equipment here.