We all know the benefits of keeping active, especially when we have a sedentary office job. In fact, it’s been noted by Forbes that people who regularly implement exercise into their busy days tend to be more successful overall. Sometimes, it can be difficult fitting in exercise when life’s so busy. One thing the pandemic showed us is that we don’t need to go to the gym to stay fit. We can do it right at home. There is a lot of equipment that can help you exercise at home like the Walking Pad or a walkable treadmill. All you need is a little bit of space and some determination. Here’s how:
Desk Yoga
This is a good option for people who have very little space to exercise, or are looking to fit in a workout around their office job. A lot of companies who transitioned into work-from-home roles during the pandemic have implemented this form of exercise. It’s gentle enough to include all employees but still gives some of the benefits of full body yoga. It involves adaptations of traditional yoga poses, but are either performed in a chair or using the chair for support. It is designed to focus on your body, and increase mindfulness. A number of studies have shown that after performing desk yoga for a period, employee’s noticed an increase in flexibility and improvement in muscle strength and tone. It also improves worker’s mental health as well. Any exercise increases endorphins i.e happy hormones and lowers stress levels, which means that you’re more likely to stick to your fitness routine in the future.
YouTube
YouTube is a fitness fanatics dream. There are so many exercise options that range from 10 minute workouts to over an hour. There is something to find for everyone, regardless of your health, fitness level or goal. Sometimes the real effort can be narrowing down your choices. In 2017, there were reportedly over 30 million fitness videos on Youtube. First decide on the type of exercise you’d prefer, such as Pilates or a HIIT workout or even a dance class. Try out several videos until you find the one that excites you. See what else that channel offers and take it from there. You’d be surprised by the variety of workouts offered by individual creators. Keeping your fitness journey interesting will help you stick to exercise long-term.
Apps
If you prefer your mobile over everything else, then I have good news for you. You can also download apps to help you keep fit. Just like YouTube, there are hundreds of different options, depending on your fitness goals. Decide what motivates you and you’ll come across the best app to suit you. Do you prefer having a strong community to bounce off? Try MyFitnessPal. Are you motivated by celeb bodies? Download Chris Hemsworth’s Centr App. These apps offer a more interactive experience by allowing you to open them no matter where you are. This addition alone can help many people to stick to their health goals; whether it’s squeezing in an extra workout or logging calorie intake on the spot.
Motivation
If you’ve ever worked remotely, you know how difficult it can be to maintain your enthusiasm, and exercise is no exception. At home, it’s much easier to crawl back into your bed due to its close proximity. Try these tips for an improvement in your fitness focus.
- The first way to help stay motivated is to find a buddy – whether this is a friend to encourage you, or an app community. It’s been discussed in numerous studies that having a supportive peer helps you to stay more accountable to your fitness goals and create a healthy routine, plus anything is more fun when you’re doing it with a friend.
- Clear goals will help you recognise what results you want from your workouts, it also helps you realise the progress you’re making which can also be very encouraging – make sure to reward yourself when you hit these various milestones.
If all else fails, go outside for a walk. Any activity is better than no workout. The NHS website details how just 10 minutes walking can have multiple health benefits.
There are all sorts of ways to workout at home as the past two years have shown us, and the best part is that you can tailor your fitness routine to your own needs and preferences. Find what workouts you enjoy and take it from there. Follow these tips and make the biggest investment in your own health and happiness.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
