Working out at home has many benefits – it saves time, offers you privacy, and gives people more flexibility. But the most common issue people have with a home workout is finding out how to get motivated to exercise at home. Without the social pressure of the gym environment, and with so many distractions at home – TV, pets, family, etc. – it’s easy for grand fitness plans to go off the rails. So how do you stay driven to maintain an at-home routine? Here are seven tips for how to start working out at home with consistency.
1. Create a Workout-Only Space
A dedicated space for working out gives you more control over your strength routines and eliminates diversions. It also means having a workout area that’s ready to go when you are — no need to drag out weights and other equipment from a closet or basement.
By having a space that’s designed exclusively for working out, you’ll be able to switch into the strength-building mindset by only using it for that specific purpose. For example, if you combine an office and workout space, you probably won’t feel like lifting weights or hitting the treadmill in the same space you just sat in for several hours.
If you don’t have a spare room to dedicate to workouts, clear out a corner of your living room or guest bedroom as a workout station. A consistent workout routine will help you develop the habit of fitting in exercise before or after your day, empowering you to stay focused and reach your goals.
Working with limited space? Check out our advice on how to make the most of your apartment or condo for an effective and inspiring workout zone.
2. Invest in equipment that makes you excited to work out
If you’re struggling with how to be motivated to work out at home, investing in high-quality equipment can help get you into a consistent routine. Equipment that you’ve carefully selected and are excited to use can help build some excitement around working out at home. Here are a few suggestions to get you brainstorming:
PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP
Why splurge on one pair of dumbbells when you could have an adjustable one that replaces 30? The PowerBlock Pro 100 offers a compact but wide-ranging set of weights that you can quickly adjust as you work through your routine.
Adjustable Kettlebells
Kettlebells offer a wide range of exercises from swings, squats, snatches and more. Having an adjustable kettlebell saves you space and money since you won’t need to buy multiple weights. Just use the magnetic pin and select the weight you want to work with and get started.
Adjustable Dumbbell Stand
The more decluttered you keep your space, the more you’ll feel motivated to stick to a consistent workout routine. By adding a sturdy dumbbell stand to hold your adjustable dumbbells, you’ll be keeping weights off the floor and giving yourself an easy platform to adjust and lift your weights. Adding a dumbbell stand offers a professional touch to your dedicated workout space that will keep you feeling motivated.
3. Set a Schedule and Define Your Goals
If you say you’ll fit in a workout when you have time, you may never find the time. When making your weekly schedule, set specific times to exercise and treat them like an appointment you can’t miss. Setting attainable goals and milestones will also help you maintain that schedule. Don’t just think about your goals – write them down and do regular self-check-ins. If you’re new to working out at home, start small by making it a goal to work out once or twice a week. Once you find a consistent routine, try adding another day.
4. Hype Yourself Up with a Workout Playlist
The perfectly curated playlist can help inspire movement and focus throughout a workout. Take a few minutes to pull together some of your favorite upbeat songs that will help get you in a headspace for working out. Or, if you don’t feel like making one yourself, you can easily access workout-specific playlists on a variety of streaming platforms.
5. Track Your Progress
A big reason people lose motivation is that they feel like they aren’t seeing results. Keep detailed notes on your workouts – the weights you’re using, the number of sets and reps you completed – that you can look back on to see how far you’ve really come. Keeping track of small progress will fuel motivation to keep showing up, even on days you don’t feel like working out.
6. Reward Yourself
Tangible benefits of working out are usually more effective than vague ones such as simply being healthy or feeling strong. Come up with incentives for sticking to your fitness plan. For example, you can reward yourself for completing a workout by watching an episode of your favorite show or celebrate reaching a big goal by investing in new workout accessories or gear.
7. Find a Workout Buddy or Accountability Partner
You don’t need to go to a gym to have an exercise buddy. If you have friends, coworkers or family members who are on a similar strength-building journey, ask if you can hold each other accountable for completing your weekly exercises by sending workout recaps. Having someone to report to can create a sense of accountability and importance around achieving your fitness goals. Let each other know what your specific goals are and how you want to reach them, so you can both fuel motivation to work out at home.
8. Add Variety to Your Workout
So, it’s important to switch up routines every so often. If you’re using an adjustable dumbbell or kettlebell, you have a vast amount of exercises to pick from, especially if you want to switch focus from higher-rep/lower-weight exercises to lower-rep/heavier-weight lifts, or vice versa. If you want to mix it up by using other forms of resistance, try incorporating resistance bands or an ab wheel to target different muscle groups.
