Many people are still wary of going back to the gym. Although, realistically, several people avoided the place before lockdowns came into effect.
In either case, quite a few people have started working out at home. It’s easy to see why. It can be as effective as exercising in a gym, and it can often be easier to schedule into your week.
Few people know how to start exercising at home properly, however. If it feels like a daunting task, take a step back and take it one step at a time.
You should also keep a few things in mind when you start. Doing so will ensure you start seeing the results that you’re looking for, while also remaining safe, no matter which exercises you’re doing.
Set Realistic Goals
If you want to start exercising at home, you most likely already have some goals in mind. These goals could be to put on muscle, lose weight, or even simply be healthier.
You’ll need to be clear about what your goals are. These goals will also need to be realistic. If you want to lose weight, for example, there’s no point in having your goal be to lose 100 pounds in three months.
That’s unattainable to do in a proper and healthy way. Instead, you should aim to lose a relatively low amount, such as five pounds, every month. While this could scale up over time, it can be much more achievable.
You can still reach the much larger mark but in a realistic and sustainable way. That’ll be true regardless of what your goals are.
Once you’ve set your goals, you can start working toward them. Use them as motivation! Create a board with photos or keywords and place it near where you work out. Whenever you feel like giving up, take a quick glance at the board and remember why you started this in the first place.
Know The Differences In Workouts
You’ll have quite a few workouts to choose from when you’re exercising at home. You might assume that each exercise would all have the same effects on you.
Exercise is exercise, right? This simply isn’t the case. Some exercises will be much better recommended for you than others, especially if you’re focusing on certain body parts.
You’ll need to be somewhat educated about the differences between certain exercises. Doing so will help you plan your workouts much better.
You’d be surprised by the differences in exercises that seem almost identical. Front squats and back squats, for example, (which you can find out more about if you navigate to this comparison guide), can be quite different.
The more you know about different exercises, the better you can adapt your workout plan to your needs.
Make Sure You Eat Properly
Having an unhealthy diet could interfere with your exercising. It might even be the one thing preventing you from achieving your goals.
The better you eat, the better you can exercise. There are multiple reasons for this. The most obvious is that food naturally acts as fuel when you’re working out.
You’ll need to make sure that you have enough energy to get through the routine. Some foods are also much healthier than others. For example, try having a citrus boost rather than a sugar high to get energy!
Many foods will also be high in protein, along with other key nutrients that are good for before or after working out. Developing a diet plan that works with your exercise routine is recommended.
Healthier foods don’t need to be boring, such as nuts, seeds, fish, and lean meat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also natural recommendations. In a world full of talented chefs, you’re sure to find recipes that tantalize your taste buds.
It Can Be Painful
Exercising has quite a few health benefits. That doesn’t mean that it’s the most pleasant of experiences. It’s likely that you’ll experience a bit of pain.
Thankfully, this shouldn’t be too significant or unbearable. Instead, you’ll suffer from aches, stiffness, and soreness, alongside joint pain. You can try multiple things to minimize this, such as using creams and lotions.
Supplements can also be effective for these pains. However, always consult with a medical professional before beginning a new diet or exercise regime. They will help guide you into your new lifestyle in a safe and healthy manner.
You also shouldn’t experience too much pain during or after exercise. If you do, it’s recommended that you stop and seek medical assistance.
Something being overly-painful could be a sign that you pulled a muscle or suffered another injury. You should address this before continuing to exercise.
How To Start Exercising At Home: Wrapping Up
If you want to start working out but aren’t sure about how to start exercising at home, you may feel a bit stuck. You might assume that there’s relatively little you could do outside of the gym.
That is far from the case. There are multiple drills and workouts that you can do from home. Take advantage of online sources, and try different types of exercises until you find one that is fun to do! Yoga and pilates, to adrenaline-inducing cardio, there are so many types of exercises to choose from.
You should take a planned approach with this. If you don’t have a plan, it’s much easier to put it off for another day. Which means one less day of working towards your exercise goals.
Once you do, however, you shouldn’t have a problem exercising at home and eventually seeing your desired results.
