Consistent exercise is important for combating mental health problems, but it can be hard to find time to fit a gym session into your schedule. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had the perfect set up at home? Luckily, getting fit is easier than ever with the right tools and strategies.
In this post, we'll show you how to set up a small workout space using the resources you have available and how to use them effectively so that your fitness routine doesn't interfere with your life. By following these steps, anyone, regardless of age or health background, can get fit from the comfort of their own home!
In the past, if you wanted to work out from home, you had to have a large room with expensive equipment dedicated solely to your exercise routine. This meant that it was difficult for individuals who didn’t have an extra room for their own personal gym. But nowadays, with today’s technology and social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram providing us with endless amounts of fitness content, we can easily make our own workouts at home without having all the fancy equipment found at the gym.
So how do we go about getting started? Well first off let me tell you this- don't worry! Even though there are so many options available it's still possible to get started without spending tons of money on equipment... or even buying any equipment at all!
Here are 5 steps you need to building yourself an at-home gym:
Establish a space dedicated to your fitness
The first step to creating a workout space is to designate a particular area in your home where you can work out. The amount of space needed will vary depending on the type of equipment you have and the activities you will be doing, so determine how much room is needed before deciding on an area. After choosing a space, find a way to make it comfortable for you to move around freely. You could use rugs or mats for comfort or even put up mirrors around the space to help you improve your form.
If storage for any equipment is required (for example weights or yoga mats), create storage centers near the workout space that are convenient and easy-to-access when needed.
Setting yourself up for success
You don't need a big budget or fancy equipment to get fit. A lot can be done with the resources you have in your home, and if you're willing to get creative, you can create a full workout space without breaking the bank.
A lot of people set up a workout space and then don’t use it because it is difficult to access, equipment is hard to set up or they aren't sure how to use the space right away. To make sure this doesn't happen with you, follow these guidelines:
Ensure the space has great lighting - A well lit space will prevent injuries and will subconsciously encourage your body towards movement. If you liked the mirror idea, we suggest mounting them on the walls next to your exercise space. The mirrors will reflect the light which makes your space look bigger and allow you to use the mirror as a reference to help improve your form and increase the safety of your home fitness routine.
Choose a place in the home that is convenient and encouraging - Choose a location that you will see everyday. Whenever you walk past it, you will be looking forward to your next workout or feeling proud of yourself for having completed your workout that day.
Ensure equipment is easy to access and in sight - Gather up your equipment and store it away in an easy to access place close to the designated area. Make sure all your equipment is organized in one place so it’s easy to find what you need. It should take less than 60 seconds to access and set up all equipment. It is even better to leave it a place where you can openly see your yoga matt or weights. This will subconsciously hack your brain into thinking about your next workout. The result will be less resistance whenever it comes time to do the workout.
Get creative with your equipment
The floor is for push-ups, the walls are for handstands, and you can do more with what you have than you think! There are a number of ways you can get creative with your at-home workout space. If you want to create a home gym, consider all the resources you already have and see how they can be used as workout equipment.
Here are some things to think about. You may be surprised by what you already have on hand:
Use what you have- Maybe it's not possible or practical for you to go out and buy new equipment right now. But chances are there are things lying around your house that can be used in place of weights, resistance bands and other fitness gear. For example, if you don't have dumbbells but do have some large books on hand, try using those instead when doing curls or a standing arm hold! A yoga mat—or even an old blanket—can serve as a makeshift floor mat when doing exercises like sit-ups or planks; a chair or kitchen table can be used for ab work. Some free weights and old milk jugs or water bottles filled with sand will give your arms something to do on days when it's too hot out for heavy lifting.
Use what's affordable- Just because it may not be within budget doesn't mean that it isn't possible for someone else in similar circumstances as yourself. We have partnered with businesses which are aligned with our mission. Specifically, Hanzo fitness has a great selection of weight vests and pull bars which are extremely affordable and designed specifically for calisthenic exercise routines.
Borrow from friends/family members- You might even find someone who already has these types of items sitting around their own homes, and they'd probably be willing to lend them out (if asked nicely enough)! Offer up something in return (barter & trade) or items they value that you're willing to part with for your exercise routine. Also, check out applications like Facebook marketplace or local groups which make a swap for items they're seeking.
Choose a workout plan that works for you, your goals, and the tools you have available
Your next step toward creating your at-home workout space is to assess your fitness goals. No matter how perfect the space is, nothing matters until you use it. So it is imperative that you accurately assess your goals and your resources. Up until this point we have rearranged and explored your home to create a space dedicated to your fitness. We know what resources you have. Now let’s determine your goals.
Are you hoping to lose weight, gain muscle mass, get in shape for a wedding or family gathering or another occasion? Once you have determined what it is that you want out of your workout plan, choose a routine that will help achieve those goals. If time is limited, I suggest that you consider signing up for the 100 Days of Discipline challenge. It takes 15 to 30 minutes a day. With 3 different levels; easy, medium and hard, it can help you to achieve any fitness goal. Luckily with the 100 Days of Discipline you can workout inside, outside or on the road if you happen to be traveling as often as I do.
The time has come to commit
Now that you have your fitness goals in mind and a workout plan chosen, it’s time to determine when you will complete your routine. What time of day will you dedicate to your mental and physical wellness? How much time do you have for this?
If you have an hour or two a day, that’s great! You can get in some really solid workouts and see results in no time. If not, don’t worry- you can still make progress with as little as 15 minutes a day.
The important thing is discipline and consistency: if you stick to your plan and don't give up, no matter how much time you have available each day, you'll see results!
Conclusion
I hope this post has encouraged you to get creative with your workout space. I know that when I started traveling and working from home, it was hard for me to find the time and motivation to work out regularly. But once I started using these tips, my exercise routine got easier and more fun!
For me, the 100 Days of Discipline was a chance to explore the world without worrying about packing my gym equipment. I traveled for 5 months and slept in 23 different beds. Our fitness program allowed me to stay consistent in my workout regiment. I highly recommend this if you are busy or live on-the-go. It is the easiest way to stay fit while still achieving all those other ambitious goals.
Remember that if you can’t afford expensive equipment or even a gym membership right now then don’t worry about it—there are plenty of other options available: walking outside instead of inside; doing squats in place while standing on one leg while holding something heavy (like weights) in each hand; etc.
If you would like to see what 100 Days of Discipline is all about, then I encourage you to check out this 7 day free challenge where you get to sample some similar workouts that are included in our paid challenges:
Bye for now,
Elle Honeycut