Home Workout Hacks

The tides may be turning and doors slowly reopening, but many are still hesitant about heading straight back to the gym. Maybe you’ve launched a home workout routine and want to keep it consistent (but find yourself struggling to stay motivated). It could be that you have settled into ‘working from home’, but have managed to ignore the whole ‘working out from home’ thing. Or maybe you just really enjoy exercising in the comfort of your own space, and are simply looking for some new methods to spice things up …

Whatever the case, here are some fun and easy exercise hacks to enhance your at-home activities.

Create a Dedicated Workout Space

If you haven’t already done so, try carving out a space at home as your own personal workout corner. A sweat shrine, if you will. By setting up a specific spot to get physical, you will help attune your mind and body to get ready to exercise whenever entering the space. There is no need to have a huge home-gym, just a cozy space that you are able to comfortably move in is more than enough to support your domestic fitness journey.

Podcast or Audiobook Assistance

Two birds, one stone. If you are struggling to find fitness motivation, try vowing to only listen to your favourite audiobook or podcast when you are working out. Seems simple, but this little hack will go a long way towards making exercising the best part of your day.

Playlist Pump Up

Speaking of motivation– one of the best ways to naturally pump yourself up is to create a dynamic workout playlist. Music is one of the most powerful methods to hack the mind and body; our auditory and motor neurons are closely linked, which essentially means that we are designed to move and groove when we hear our favourite tunes. Dancing is also a great way to get in some cardio when your normal workouts have grown stale.

Workout Buddy

Find a friend to hold you accountable to your fitness goals. You can enlist the help of someone at home, or not– a virtual workout buddy works just as well as one in real life. Schedule a regular virtual workout or tune into the same online classes together and you will notice how much easier it is to commit to a routine with the support of your friends.

Get rid of the distractions 

One of the many pitfalls of exercising at home is how easy it is to get distracted and completely derail yourself. That’s why experts recommend removing all distractions before you begin your workout, so you can really focus on the task at hand. This means switching the phone to silent mode, shutting off the TV and preferably doing your routine somewhere where the couch or bed aren’t too temptingly close.

Body Weight Exercises 

Your body is your best equipment. Don’t underestimate the power of bodyweight training – it can really help increase strength and is super convenient because it requires just a small amount of space and no extra bits and pieces.

Small Bursts of Movement

No one said you have to do your daily workout all at once. If it is really tough for you to find the time or motivation for a 3-0 or 60-minute routine, try scheduling small bursts of movement throughout the day. A HIIT session here, a freestyle dance party there. Squats while you cook and random pushups throughout the day. Even a little bit of movement is better than none at all.

Everyday Objects

No weights, no problem. There are many many exercise regimes in which daily objects can swap out dumbbells. Water bottles or gallon jugs can double as kettlebells; 5 pound bags of vegetables literally weigh 5 pounds and can easily be used to tone your arms. Towels or scarves can work as resistance bands or be placed underfoot for sliding exercises like mountain climbers. Books can replace yoga blocks. An average (non-swivel) chair can be your base for tricep dips, inclined pushups or barre work. Stairs are a ready-made cardio cure. Get creative!

Workout Clothes as Your Home Uniform 

We love loungewear as much as the next person, but a cute workout set may be more motivating (and equally comfortable). Find some workout clothes that make you feel good about yourself and inspire you to get moving, and then wear them around the house during the day until you have completed your workout. You can even experiment with sleeping in your fitness gear so that you are ready to roll first thing in the morning.

Change it Up 

Perhaps you were a devout yogi, but have somehow lost your passion for the practise in these crazy months. Or maybe weights were your thing, but the idea of another squat makes you feel squeamish. Well now is the perfect time to try something new! The brilliance of changing up your workout regime in your own home is that you never have to feel shy about being a beginner. And with so many fitness gurus currently streaming online, you can tune into almost any activity and try your hand at it. Changing up your workout regime is a great way to stay motivated and moving.

These are some simple swaps and easy hacks to keep your home workout regime fresh. Remember: even a little bit of physical activity is better than none at all. Recommit yourself to your healthy habits and keep things playful and active in your humble abode.