While the pandemic has forced gyms and fitness facilities to close down once again, the truth is it has never been more important to work-out for your mental and physical wellness.
So how can we make working out at home more enjoyable? Especially if you loved coming into the studio and miss in-person classes.
We get that working out at home can be quite challenging. Most of us don’t have an in-home gym or workout area. Maybe we don’t have the right equipment, or there are pets or kids – plus spouses or roommates. Distractions run amok and well… so do other priorities! It is easy to find other things to do or even if you do start your workout – it’s easy to not give it 100%.
The world as we knew it has changed though. It might take a while for things to get back to normal, or we may never be able to go back to things the way they were. Given the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of exercising, it’s not a great idea to wait to get back into your fitness routine till things re-open.
Changing or creating new habits is not easy, but it’s also not impossible. Take a moment to think about all the habits and behaviors you’ve had to adapt or modify over the last year. It might have been a tedious or a painful process at the beginning but once you got into it, it wasn’t so bad. Probably even came with a lot of advantages.
So this blog is meant to help make the new habit of working out at home easier! To help you focus on the benefits, figure out how to make space AND our tips for rocking your home workout routine!
Just think – exercising at home means no longer have to drive to the studio (saves so much time and effort that you can invest in the work-out itself, plus gas money!) or worry as much about organizing child-care and let’s face nothing beats being able to work-out in your PJs!
Use these as motivation and try out best tips for create a personal work-out space that is not only functional but also inspires activity!
Creating the space
The good news is you don’t need a lot of space to work-out at home! Mostly just the width of your yoga/exercise mat and the ability to move a couple of feet forward and back. Many online classes, including the ones we offer at Loyobo FIT, are designed keeping small spaces in mind.
With this understanding of the spatial requirements, scope out a space in your home that you would be able to use on a regular basis. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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If you enjoy high intensity work-outs with lots of jumping, it’s better to choose a spot with a high ceiling.
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Try to avoid high traffic household areas OR choose your exercise time based on when your work-out space is likely to get the least traffic. It might not always be perfect, but a little planning can avoid extra interruptions or distractions.
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Get creative & don’t be afraid to move things around! Be ready to embrace a “transformational” workout space… one that goes from workout area to living area with just a few small changes. Instead of getting annoyed by having to move things around to get in your workout – think of this like your “pack things up and actually drive to the studio” time … and it doesn’t seem so bad!
Once you have chosen your space, now let’s make it more inviting!
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Apart from the social element, many people love working out at the gym or studios because of the bright lighting. If possible, set up your work-out space in an area where you are able to get as much natural light as possible. If you don’t have big windows or have to work-out in the basement or during evenings, try a lamp with adjustable lighting. That gives you the option to dim the lights for restorative classes like Yoga and Pilates.
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Regularly spray your work-out area with a natural scent you like and make sure to clean your mat and equipment after each work-out. We really love this Yoga mat spray. Scented candles are also a great way to keep your work-out space smelling nice and also have a wonderfully relaxing effect.
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Make a vision board and put it on the wall, or other artwork/images/posters that inspire you! Or, you can write down some of your affirmations so that the space helps to boost your mood as soon as you walk in. If you enjoy your time in the space, it helps increase your motivation to actually spend time in it!
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A mirror can be a great addition to the space to help you with form, and also to make it seem more spacious!
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A fan or placing your space near a window that can open will really help with airflow during sweatier workouts. It is also very important to stay hydrated during your workouts, so keep a water bottle handy!
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A clean space reduces stress and anxiety. So – keep your equipment neat and tidy between workouts. This will extend the life of your equipment, avoid accidents and remove one more excuse (aka barrier) that might prevent you from wanting to do your next workout (e.g. – It’s too messy!/I need to clean first.”
What equipment do I need?
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets or a large budget to commit to your health and fitness goals. A few staples can go a long way. Focus on equipment that is not only versatile, but also takes up less space! Download our check-list for your work-out essentials and find more details below:
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A non-sticky and medium thick Yoga or exercise mat will protect your joints and reduce the chances of injury through slipping.
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A couple of thin cushions or blankets in your work-out area to support your knees and head during different movement. Don’t want to buy something new? A few throw pillows or a towel will do the trick!
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Resistance bands or cables can be used for both stretching and strength training. They are inexpensive and easy to store.
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Yoga blocks are also great multi-purpose props for a variety of work-outs and will last you a long time. A great substitute can often be large books (especially ones that don’t have any glossy covers).
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If you want more equipment such as dumbbells, reach out to your local gym/studio to see if they rent out equipment. Loyobo FIT has an equipment rental program you can take advantage of if you’re in the Guelph area. Or – try to find some second hand!
The #1 key to home workouts? Embrace imperfection
Your best accessory for at-home workouts is your mindset. A sense of humour, an open mind, and the ability to adapt or embrace imperfection can go a long way.
There will be times when things don’t quite go to plan, or you wish you had more space to move, or your workout gets interrupted what feels like a million times – that is just life!
Be realistic with your expectations and be clear about your motivation. What benefits do you get from moving your body? How does it positively contribute to your life? Do you feel better after your workout? Come back to your why anytime you feel frustrated or are lacking motivation.
Remember – there are always ways that you can be creative, find new solutions, or modify movements to suit your work-out area. Talk to your trainer about how to adjust so that you can still get the most of your work-out. Most likely, they’ll be small adjustments and you’ll still sweat or feel the stretch.
How can I still challenge myself when I am doing solo workouts?
We totally get it – we love the feeling of working out with a group. A little bit of positive peer pressure or friendly competition can go a long way to making it through a workout or stepping outside of your exercise comfort zone.
So – how can we still get that feeling when we are alone in our living room?
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Put together a “pump-you-up” workout playlist. Use it during your workout or to get excited before logging onto class! Pick songs that make you feel energized and ready to move! Here are a few of our favorite playlists on Spotify:
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COME BACK TO YOUR WHY. Constantly. Consistently. Put it on your wall, your mirror. Somewhere you can see it often. Focus on how good it feels to challenge yourself and how much better you will feel afterwards. Write some positive affirmations and your top 3 health and fitness goals and stick them up in your work-out space. Read our blog post on how to make affirmations work for you!
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Plan your work-outs for the week and mark them on your calendar. Set specific goals and then post them in Loyobo Family Facebook group! Get an accountability buddy and invite a friend to do the class with you. Agree on a mutual goal together and make sure to celebrate when you reach it!
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Live classes are a MUST if you are struggling with motivation and accountability. Especially if you keep your video ON so that your instructor can see you during class. They can help provide some great tips and also to help cheer you on. Read our blog post on why we love Live Virtual Classes.
Worried about people seeing your workout space? Remember – we are all in this together and everyone will be focusing on a) watching the instructor and b) their own workout (or workout space!). Don’t let a little bit of clutter deter in your work-out space deter you from joining in. Most people are in the same boat as you i.e. working out in shared spaces and won’t really care if yours is a little messy (we promise! In fact… they might even be a little relieved to see how normal it is!). Do the same, show up, have fun and give it your all! And remember, give yourself permission to embrace imperfection!
Breaking out of your comfort zone is never easy, but it’s definitely worth it! The truth is, you cannot wait for things to improve around you before you start working towards your goals.
You have to act NOW and trust us, it will lead to great things!
What steps have you taken to create your home workout space? What has helped you stay motivated?
We would love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below!