Anyone can set foot in the gym and pump iron, but staying there isn’t always the best idea. Even if you are a dedicated gym rat, there are days when your motivation might not be as strong as others. And let’s face it: Even the most dedicated fitness enthusiast needs variety in their workouts from time to time.
Luckily for us, at-home workouts don’t need to be so difficult because they can offer just as much variety as their gym-based counterparts. They just require a little more thinking and strategy than one might think. That being said, let’s take a look at how you can incorporate some of these at-home routines into your regular schedule without feeling too guilty about it.
Cardio Training
While most people get into the gym to build muscle, others are there to lose weight. That said, it’s important to remember that losing weight isn’t the same as building muscle – your goal is to burn fat and keep your metabolism up, not bulk up.
Luckily, cardio training is a great way to help you lose weight without putting on muscle. Some cardio training routines are better than others for helping you lose weight, but there are a few things that are common among them. First, low-intensity cardio is always going to be better for weight loss than high-intensity training. Second, steady-state cardio is always going to be better for weight loss than HIIT. Third, cardio exercises that emphasize your hip joints are always going to be better for weight loss than those that emphasize your arms and legs.
Strength Training
If you are trying to get into shape for a specific event (like a marathon), then you are probably better off looking up an online fitness plan that provides detailed instructions on how to get there. However, if you want to increase your flexibility and overall strength, a home gym might be perfect for you. A home gym can also be a great place to improve your flexibility. The best thing about home-based strength training is that it is relatively affordable and requires no special equipment.
Thus, you can easily incorporate it into your routine even if you only have a small amount of space. There are a few things to keep in mind when you get started with strength training. First, lower your weight so that it’s challenging but not impossible. Second, be sure to mix up your exercises so that you are never using the same muscle group twice in a row. Third, finish each set with a few dynamic stretches so that you don’t damage your joints.
Yoga
Yoga might be an unusual addition to this list of at-home workouts, but it’s one of the best options for those looking to relieve stress and improve flexibility. Since yoga is a low-intensity form of exercise, it can be done anytime, in almost any setting, with just about any type of equipment. What’s more, it can be incorporated into your routine, or it can be done as a form of relaxation.
There are many types of yoga, and they can be used to help relieve stress while improving your flexibility and strength. One of the best things about yoga is that you can do it anywhere, with just about any type of equipment. What’s more, you don’t have to be an elite athlete to reap the many benefits of yoga.
Combination Routines
If you want to incorporate some variety into your at-home workouts, combining several of the ones mentioned above can give you just that. It’s important to remember that doing so will most likely add up to more time and effort than doing any of the routines separately.
Thus, you may want to start with a couple of less intense routines and see how you like them before diving into a more intense routine. One of the best things about combining routines is that you can use almost any type of equipment. Thus, virtually any space or facility can be used to get in some workouts. And, if you feel like you need variety, you can try doing a couple of different routines in the same week.
Conclusion
If you feel like your motivation to get fit is waning, try one of these at-home workouts. They can be as intense or relaxed as you want them to be and can be done in just about any setting. And, if you feel like you want some variety, you can try doing them on back-to-back days or alternating between a cardio and strength routine.
