If the year 2020 has taught us anything about our health and fitness, it’s that we don’t necessarily need a gym membership to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In fact, once gyms closed their doors for a time, many people found their groove at home. According to Livestrong, 60 percent of American gym members planned to fully cancel their memberships in 2020. At the end of the day, with the right resources and mindset, peak fitness can be achieved just about anywhere.

CREATING A HOME GYM ENVIRONMENT 

Dedicate a Space

Whether it be a spare room, the garage, or an unfinished basement, your home workout space is best kept separate from the bedroom, living room, or office. Not only does this work to keep kids and pets safe, but also fosters a mindset of intention when approaching your workout for the day. 

Choose the Right Home Workout Equipment

How many of us have bought a piece of equipment that went virtually unused? When spending money on weights, treadmills, bikes, or rowers, make sure it’s something you enjoy using. If you prefer a jog, a treadmill would be a good fit. If you like reading while you workout, perhaps a recumbent bike is for you. Just make sure you put some thought into what you buy.

Find more information on Lifespan’s home gym equipment here.

Consider a Treadmill Desk or Bike Desk

For those who want to get some movement in during the workday, a treadmill desk or bike desk can be a game-changer. Walking or biking, even at a slow pace, can burn 100+ calories more per hour than sitting alone. 

Don’t Forget About Diet

While exercise is great and should always be part of a healthy lifestyle, nutrition is very important too. Restrictive diets are often unsuccessful, however, a focus on eating a bit healthier and just a bit less can go a long way. 

Structure a Routine

Training your body to adhere to a schedule has many benefits. Studies have shown that following a schedule reduces stress and anxiety levels, promotes feelings of productivity, and allows individuals to accomplish more, on average. Setting aside a certain amount of time at a given hour each day for exercise will encourage success.

Ease Into It

For those just embarking on the path to better health, try not to do too much too soon. This usually just leads to discouragement and abandonment. Start slowly, then slowly gain the ability and confidence to increase your efforts. 

Drink a Lot of Water

One of the most overlooked aspects of overall health is water consumption. The amount of water you drink can affect energy levels, brain function, physical performance, and sleep patterns. Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day, especially when losing a lot of water to sweat in your home gym. 

TAKEAWAYS

A home gym itself doesn’t do much of anything— each of us have to do the heavy lifting when it comes to our health. However, we have laid out some easy ways to get started working towards your goals. On average, it takes about 66 days for a certain behavior to become automatic, which makes structure and dedication an integral part of any habit. Luckily, many people have found the home gym approach easier and less intimidating than their past gym schedules. 

If you have questions about how to get the most out of your home gym, contact the health and fitness equipment experts at Lifespan, today.