5 Tips for Working Out at Home

Working out can be the most difficult habit to schedule and maintain. We all know how important it is to exercise regularly, but we never seem to find the time or energy. Here are a few tips for making your home workouts a little easier!

1: Set Aside The Space
Finding the space to work out in an apartment can be a challenge, but dedicating a space for your workout is the best way to motivate yourself. Scoot your coffee table aside or move your bed to one side of the room. Creating a dedicated space removes one excuse for skipping workouts and reminds you about your intentions each time you see that dedicated space.

2: Set Aside The Time
Schedule a time and set a timer or a reminder to help you stick to it. Working out before your usual shower is convenient and allows you to feel clean and refreshed after your workout.  If your shower usually takes place in the morning your workout can help give you more energy for the day. If you prefer to shower in the evening, exercise can help you get better sleep.

3: Invest In Your Own Equipment
Buying your own workout equipment reinforces your investment in your decision to work out. Start small with a yoga mat or hand weights, or buy whatever you need for that online workout video you want to follow. New workout equipment added gradually to your collection will allow you to keep stay challenged and keep your workouts fresh and interesting.

4: Find A Workout Buddy
You can enjoy working out with a buddy even if you are working out from home! Keep each other accountable with text messages, or set up a webcam so you can exercise together from your own homes. Your buddy can help you look forward to exercising as an opportunity to catch up with a friend rather than dreading your daily workout.

5: Use Privacy to Your Advantage
You can set up a workout video on the TV or computer in the privacy of your own home and customize your workout to your preferences. Play music as loud as you like, without worrying about your headphones falling out. Wear anything you want (or maybe nothing at all) without worrying about what you look like in your leggings! Working out privately improves your confidence by allowing you to avoid feeling self-conscious at the fitness center.

Are you still struggling to find the time for a complete workout? Multi-task while doing chores! Do squats while washing the dishes. Do lunges while putting clothes away. Squeezing in a few moves while performing mundane tasks not only improves your fitness and saves you time, but also allows you to feel extra productive. Distracting yourself with extra activity can motivate you to work out longer without the feeling of monotony associated with a daily workout.

There are lots of ways to make working out in your apartment fun and easy! Explore and discover what works for you. At the end of the day, what matters is that you work out, not how you work out!