As the new year has started, many people have made resolutions to change habits in an attempt to improve themselves and the quality of their lives. Oftentimes, that involves being more physically active and becoming healthier.
Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, home exercise has overtaken gym workouts as people were forced to stay indoors and socially distance themselves. Working out at home is a great way to start an active lifestyle and can help form healthy habits long-term. Here are five tips on how you can set up your ideal home exercise room even with limited space and start working out!
1. Create an Inspiring Atmosphere
Your environment will drastically influence the way you feel during your workout, and whether you will want to work out at all. Therefore, make sure to create an atmosphere that inspires activity by choosing a space that allows ample daylight in and boasts bright, happy colors. Hang up motivational quotes that remind you of why you are on this journey.
2. Practice Yoga
Big city apartments are often small but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great workout in them. All the room you really need is the space for a yoga mat. This is usually also enough to do simple aerobics, weight lifting, bodyweight exercises, and, of course, yoga. Yoga isn’t just an excellent way to work out, it also helps you become more centered, reduce stress, and live more mindfully.
3. Do This Cardio Workout on the Spot
You don’t need to run laps to do cardio and get your heart pumping. Self.com posted a great 10-minute at-home cardio workout that you can do in any small space, on the spot. It involves completing each of the following exercises for one minute each, twice:
- Single leg reach and jump
- Jump lunges
- Single leg walk out to push-up
- Side plank rotation with kick
- Animal flow sidekick through
Complete this entire sequence on each side of your body and then repeat by alternating sides. Do this every day, and soon you’ll find yourself stronger, fitter, and healthier.
4. Make the Most of Your Space
A small, cluttered space full of exercise equipment is less than ideal to start your workout journey. In addition, you probably won’t need a bunch of fancy tools to work out – oftentimes, you can do bodyweight exercises that only require a mat, a jump rope, and a plan. Instead of choosing a small space and large, expensive equipment like a treadmill or an exercise bike, buy a few dumbbells and a yoga mat. If you’re unsure of what exercises to do, look up free videos online or get the help of a personal trainer who can guide you professionally while also holding you accountable.
5. Get Organized & Add Storage
Keeping your workout space organized and clean will motivate you to come back and exercise every day. Add storage units like drawers, a shelving unit on the wall, or open cubbies which allow you to find your equipment quickly. Other smart space-saving solutions like a hanging organizer that keeps your resistance bands tangle-free, and some open shelving to store your mat and dumbbells to keep your floor decluttered and free for exercises.
Bottomline
Deciding to make working out a part of your daily routine is a great way to start the new year. Whatever exercise you choose to do, the most important thing is that you start moving. And by following our five tips for setting up your ideal home exercise room with limited space, you can save that costly gym membership and work out anytime you like.