I mostly have the coronavirus to thank for this post, but I’ve always been a fan of workout routines I can squeeze in at home. It’s not always ideal to make it to the gym or even pay for a membership in some cases. The past few months have forced us out of the gyms due to mandatory closures and now we’ve turned our attention to at-home workouts. A few lucky people managed to get a Smith machine set up in their garage (how, I don’t know…), but the rest of us are resorting to the internet to figure out how to keep our figures.
Life Beyond the Gym
I will admit, I do miss the ease of reaching for a racked weight when I need one, but something about at-home workouts is refreshing. I’m still exercises just as much—if not more—and am saving close to $100/month while forgoing the gym membership. The ability to change up the scenery keeps things fresh. Whether it’s my living room, backyard, neighborhood or the nature trails, I find myself changing up my routine daily. When you’re in the gym, you stare the the same walls and equipment, or looking at yourself in the mirror, which can get old pretty fast. I’m realizing being forced to stay away from the gym might not be the worst thing that happened to us.
My at Home Routines
Here are a few of the routines that have kept me in shape while confined at home:
Hiking/Outdoor Walks
I’m blessed to live in the Texas Hill Country, where the wildflowers are plentiful and the wildlife is incredible. If I’m not in the mood for any body weight exercises or intense cardio, I opt for a walk through my neighborhood nature trails. I understand I’m in the minority when I say “neighborhood trails,” but same idea applies if you have any access to the outdoors. It’s the most therapeutic solution if I want to clear my head. I typically leave my phone at home and just wear my Apple Watch (no cellular capabilities) to minimize distractions. If you’re venturing far, by all means, take your phone with you. In that case, I’d recommend putting notifications on Do Not Disturb to get the most out of your walk or hike. Sometimes I’ll even leave my AirPods at home and opt to simply enjoy the sounds of nature.
Longboarding
I recently bought a Magneto longboard and wow… I am obsessed. I’m extremely impressed with how high my heart rate gets when boarding. Just 20 minutes out on my board and I burn up 200 calories! Not to mention how fun it’s been. Boarding requires a lot of leg work combined with balance, so not only are you fitting in your cardio, but you’re strengthening your core as well. I wake up the next morning feeling sore from head to toe. Pretty much any activity ending in “boarding” applies here; Longboarding, skateboarding, wake boarding, etc. will all give you a similar workout.
Body Weight Routines
If you’re not familiar with body weight workouts—please—do not underestimate them. If you do them right, you will wake up sore the next morning. Here are my favorites:
- P90X Legs and Back. I usually skip the back part TBH, but just doing the leg exercises alone takes me 45 minutes, so that’s perfect for me. This routine does not require any weight, so it’s great when you’re at home or traveling. I can guarantee you will wake up sore the next day!
- P90X Ab Ripper X. I highlight this one in my Four Rules for a More Toned Stomach post. It really is a lifesaver because of its intensity and the fact you can do it literally anywhere. Just put a mat or towel down on the ground, and get to work.
- Yoga. Stretching, deep breathing and muscle building are things everyone can benefit from. The only downside to yoga is the potential hole it can burn in your pocket. I absolutely love going to a yoga studio, but coming in around $15 per session, it’s not ideal for my wallet. I recently discovered Down Dog, a yoga app that gives me whatever customizable yoga session I want, in the comfort of my own home. I purchased an annual membership for $35/year and practice at least once a week. That’s pretty hard to beat.
- My 30 Min Full Body Circuit. I made this one up while confined to the house during quarantine. It’s perfect to work each part of your body, while not exhausting any particular muscle group.
Summing it Up
Incorporating a few of these exercises per week keeps my body in check even without the gym. As a matter of fact, I just froze my gym membership for 3 more months due to the virus, meaning by the time I return, I will have been on a 6 month gym hiatus. It will be interesting to see if and how my body responds to the changes in workout routines.
These exercises are wonderful for traveling or days you want to avoid the gym environment. I highly recommend trying all of these routines outdoors as well (weather permitting…). It’s a nice way to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. I hope you try some of these and let me know what kind of at-home workouts have been helping you see a difference in your body. Enjoy!
