Are you someone who would rather work out in the comfort and privacy of your own home than in a local or community gym? Sick of paying a fortune for gym memberships that you just don’t seem to use? If you find yourself in this predicament, this is the article for you. Turning your apartment into a makeshift gym is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep motivated and never miss out on your workouts. In today’s article, we look at 6 incredibly helpful tips that will assist you in turning your home into your own ultimate private gym — read on to find out more!
- Purchase Some Basic Gym Equipment
No cake is complete without its ingredients and no home gym is complete without at least a few basic pieces of gym equipment. For those who are looking to purchase as little as possible due to space and budget constraints, some of the best items to pick up include kettlebells, inexpensive dumbbells, an exercise mat, a fitness ball and some resistance bands. You don’t have to splash out on fancy items either…you could even get these items second hand or even look for listings online where people are looking to get rid of their fitness equipment. With just these handful of items, you’ll be able to perform killer workouts in the comfort of your own home, day after day after day!
- Crank Up The Tunes
One of the most motivational aspects of working out in a public gym is the fact that they always have energetic music playing seemingly 24/7. There is absolutely nothing better than the perfectly curated workout playlist of high-energy songs to get you motivated and moving! Always remember that the tempo and rhythm of the music you’re listening to matters — a slow romantic ballad is certainly not the way to go if you’re looking for a heart-pumping session. Instead, choose upbeat music such as garage, house and hip-hop that will assist in bringing your heartbeat up and ultimately facilitating your exercise session.
- Set Up A Full-Length Mirror
Setting up a full-length mirror to facilitate your workouts is one of the best things you can do for your apartment. No, this isn’t for vanity reasons or to admire yourself whilst you’re doing kettlebell swings (although you are more than welcome to do that). Instead, a full-length mirror emulates a gym environment, allowing you to check up on your form at all times. Ensuring that you’re always adopting proper form is key in reducing the chances of injury and making your workouts more effective overall.
- Take Advantage of Workout Tutorials
If you’re stumped when it comes to the best workout routine for your goals, then it’s time to hit up everyone’s favourite platform — Youtube. You’ll find thousands of home workout tutorials that are tailored to meet your specific needs and goals on Youtube. The best part about these tutorials is that they are 100% free to watch and there are a plethora of videos to choose from! Simply stream these videos on your television, grab a towel and get pumping! By using these tutorials as a guide, you will not only achieve a more effective workout, but you’ll also have a lot of fun along the way.
- Get Some Cardio In
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to invest in a costly treadmill or cross trainer in order to get some cardio into your home workout routine. In fact, cardio-based body exercises such as lunges, jumping jacks, mountain climbers and burpees are all heart-racing exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own apartment and without the need for any additional equipment. It is always recommended to get about 10-15 minutes of cardiovascular activity before strength training in order to get your body ready for a workout!
- Don’t Forget To Warm Up and Cool Down
Just because you’re working out at home doesn’t mean that you get to skip warmups and cooldowns! An effective warmup prior to your workout helps to gradually rev up your cardiovascular system by raising your body temperature and increasing blood flow to your muscles. This will result in lowered chances of muscle soreness and or injury. Once you’re done with your workout, a cooldown session will allow for a gradual recovery of pre-exercise heart rate and blood pressure. Remember – you’re your own boss when it comes to home workouts, so never skip out on fundamental steps that will help make your workout more safe and effective.
Working out from home doesn’t have to be a complicated or costly affair. With some basic gym equipment, a small dedicated space in your home and the perfect workout tutorials, you’ll find that home workouts are one of the most effective and fun ways of getting your heart pumping — all in the privacy of your living room or spare bedroom!