4 Ways To Get Creative With Your Home Workout

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“I don’t have time”, “It costs too much money”, “It’s inconvenient”… the list of reasons for why people don’t go to the gym goes on.  But you could get an amazing workout that is practically free, convenient, and fits your schedule! I’m talking about working out at home – get creative with it, and it might just turn out to be your favorite place to work out. If you can’t go to the gym, then bring the gym to you!

Here are some ways to workout at home –

Bring the gym to you

You’d be surprised how little it takes to build your own home gym. Resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, a bar with some weights, a touch of creativity – and you’re all set! What’s more, you can do it frugally – weights tend to be expensive, but if you look at Craigslist, yard sales, and even gyms that are closing or getting new equipment, you might find weights that are in excellent condition and more than reasonably priced!

It is a big misconception that you need an entire basement of room to have a home workout area, but all you really need is resourcefulness and an area as small as 8ft by 8ft! Make a little extra room in one of your closets and you can even stow away your equipment when you aren’t using it. Consider slowly building your home gym so you don’t have to invest time in traveling to one!

Get creative with your equipment

Too often the excuse for not working out at home is that you don’t have the necessary equipment. But with some creativity, you can find the tools to have an effective and fun workout.

Take, for example, something you use every single day – like water. A 1-gallon jug of water weighs a bit more than 8 pounds, and a 5-gallon jug of water weighs just over 40 pounds. You can place a lot of stress on your muscles with that weight. The jugs of water are versatile and can be used to target nearly all the muscles on your body. Use the jugs of water like they are dumbbells or kettle-bells.  They offer a different type of resistance and really help bring a creative workout to you in your home!

And water is just one example. Jumping jacks, burpees, jumping rope, and using other items in your house are (a few) other ways you can challenge yourself in the comfort of your own home. Still not convinced? Well then consider using the good old-fashioned body weight exercises! Using various combinations of the exercises above – it’s easy to create one challenging, fun, and effective workout!

Use Workout videos

Technology can help bring exercise into your home too.  There are TV channels devoted solely to working out and the Internet offers an even wider variety – ranging from YouTube channels that offer innovative workout ideas, to companies like Netflix that allow you to stream workout videos on demand. Video game consoles now have games devoted to fitness too!  These methods of working out may not be for everyone, but don’t knock it until you try it!

You can try something new from the privacy of your own home (zumba, yoga, etc.). Also, make sure to try the workout more than once because the first time can feel awkward, but usually the second time around you might feel more comfortable and like it more. They can be fun and a great way to get your blood pumping.  If you’re argument is that they simply aren’t challenging enough, then I’d ask, isn’t something better than nothing?

Have family or friends? Then you have a workout!

Instead of sitting down somewhere to catch up – go for a jog, play catch, lift weights, do yoga, or shoot some hoops! If there is a will to workout, then there certainly is a way.

Do you have kids? They’re full of energy right? Well there is your next cardio session. Chase them around, run outside, or play a sport with them. Perhaps you can even take the opportunity to introduce them to controlled exercise and workouts. This will serve not only to teach them how to do it safe and effectively, but also force you to exercise – it’s a win-win!

There you have it. Four ways you can work out without paying for a gym membership or leaving the comfort of your own home.

So… what are you waiting for?

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Zane Hadzick is on a mission to motivate and inspire others in their fitness and personal aspirations. Bodybuilding.com has helped him be successful in his personal/professional life as well as his academic and fitness career – and now he wants to give back!
Zane Hadzick is on a mission to motivate and inspire others in their fitness and personal aspirations. Bodybuilding.com has helped him be successful in his personal/professional life as well as his academic and fitness career – and now he wants to give back!