leggings. sweatshirt. sneakers.
I know we’re all missing the gym right now, or the ability to go to the gym at least, so I today I want to share some simple, fun, free and inexpensive ideas for working out at home!
Working out it really important to me, especially for my mental health. Nothing helps me regulate my tendency for anxiety and depression like getting my heart rate up. I also love being active with my family and want to be able to keep up with my kids so working out is a priority for me. Since moving out to the country and not having a gym convenient or close, most days I work out from home, and I actually really love it. It’s convenient, private and I’ve found lots of ways to make it fun.
Here are some of my favorite simple, fun, free and inexpensive at home workouts as well as a few tips for having success working out at home!
Youtube.
There are literally thousands and thousands of awesome workouts you can do right from youtube, and they are 100% free! I’ve done kettlebell workouts, tababta, HIIT, Dance, strength training and all from the comfort of my family room. I love utilizing Youtube because it gives me more variety, which keeps my workouts fun, and also doing a video keeps me on track, so I push myself. Some of my favorite channels to subscribe for workouts are: High Fitness (fun dance/aerobics-get ready to sweat, try their playlists for a full high fitness workout), Heather Robertson (tons of full body workouts, quick workouts, 30 min workouts and she even has a 12 week program where everyday is different), The Studio with Jamie Kinkaide (super fun dance workouts, they are a really good workout and fast).
Pilates/Yoga:
I put this separately because I want to focus on these two workouts, but you can also find great pilates and yoga workouts on youtube. Nothing makes my body feel quite like a round of pilates, it calms my mind, aligns my spine, engages my core and just centers me. I haven’t done as much with yoga, but every time I have practiced it, I’ve felt amazing afterward. To me, these workouts are like if you simultaneously worked out and got a massage. They are very relaxing, and I think we could all use a little of that right now.
BBG/ Sweat App.
BBG was ALL THE RAGE a couple years ago, and it’s still a great program. You can get the app (it’s fairly expensive as apps go, but I’ve heard good things about it.) I have the digital download and it’s always worked fine for me, I just use an interval timer on my phone.
Weights.
I used to avoid weights like the plague because I was afraid they would make me “bulk up.” But that’s not really true. Weight lifting is so good for you, especially for women. There are a lot of benefits to your overall health especially bone health, and it’s not hard to incorporated weights into your workouts. If you’ve never used weights before, I recommend a pair of dumbbells, and a kettlebell. Pick a weight that will push you a little without injuring you. I like to use 8 and 12 lbs dumbbells and a 25 lbs kettlebell. There are tons of great weight routines for lower and upper body as well as kettlebell routines on Pinterest.
The Peloton App.
It’s not just a bike anymore! Peloton also has an app now with thousands of live on-demand classes you can do anytime, anywhere. Cycling, running, outdoor, yoga, stretching, there are so many classes to choose from and right now, you can try the app for free for 90 days! 3 months of awesome workouts from home for free! You can try it out here.
Just get outside!
Take a long walk or a run with your dog. Go for a little hike with your kids. The road is always available, and it’s an easy no fuss option. Plus the fresh air is really good for all of us right now. I think we all underestimate the benefits of walking, but it really is a great exercise.
Tips:
Put your phone away while you’re working out.
Or if you are using an interval app put it on do not disturb, nothing derails a workout faster than an email or a text. Don’t lose momentum/get distracted. Just get it done and then you can check instagram. ;-)
Create a activewear capsule.
Surprise, surprise, I’m telling you to be intentional about the clothes you buy, and yes, this applies even to your workout clothes. Your active capsule doesn’t not need to be fancy or extensive, but get a few things that give you the support and breathability you need and that are specifically purchased for you to “move your body” in. Putting those clothes on will signal to your brain that you are ready to show up for your workout and that you mean business!
Here are some of my all-time faves:
You don’t have to wash your hair just because you sweat in it.
Trust me, I work up a good hard sweat 6 days a week and I only wash my hair one every week. Use a little dry shampoo (I have an awesome homemade dry shampoo recipe here) and a blow dryer. You would never even know that you worked out. I know a lot of women don’t want to wash their hair everyday so they feel like they can’t work out everyday but it’s just not true. And no, your head won’t feel gross. (You do need to train your hair to go longer over time, I talk about that here, and not everyone can go as long, but you get the picture.)
If you have little ones you may want to get up an hour earlier than them.
It’s just easier to work out when you don’t have a toddler climbing all over you. Or work out at night after they go to bed as a way to wind down and destress. If neither of these work for you, try doing something you can include your kids in, mommy and me yoga, go for a run and push them in the stroller, or just put on some fun music and dance around with them for 30 minutes.
There you go! Do you have at-home workouts you love? Any tips for success? Share them below!
Want more?
Read my 6 workout tips for busy moms here.
The simple mindset shift that completely changed my approach to fitness.
