If you’ve been used to going to the gym and now have to work out at home, you may agree that it’s easy to have a love-hate relationship with body fitness at home.
It’s not as easy as it looks. There’s the absence of a trainer for guidance and motivation. Plus let’s not forget how challenging it is to start meal planning and fitness tracking.
The good news is that I’ve been there and done that. From what I’ve experienced, all you need are these eight essentials to turn your love-hate relationship with home fitness into a better experience!
1. A Journal
I understand that this isn’t the first piece of fitness equipment you expected to see, but self-awareness can go a long way in helping you reach your fitness goals. Whether it’s losing some of the lockdown inches you’ve gained or nailing that new asana, knowing what goes on mentally can help with overcoming obstacles.
Usually, a trainer can help by refocusing your attention, but really, all you need is a sounding board where you can add words to what you feel. Having a journal gives you this sounding board. Think of it like a friend that listens without judgment!
The other benefit of a journal is that it’s a place where you can track progress. Later on, when you open your journal and revisit an entry, you’ll realize how far you’ve come in your home fitness journey.
2. A Fitness Tracking App
One of the reasons people bail out of body fitness at home is the potential absence of progress. In reality, progress usually exists in some way, shape, or form. What I’ve seen that most people don’t do is track it.
A journal helps with this, but if you want something handier, try a fitness tracking app. A fitness tracking app allows you to log your workouts and see your performance over an extended time. In short, you’ll see how you’ve progressed.
A lot of these apps also have other goodies besides fitness tracking like food tracking. Some examples of apps that enable nutritional tracking are Noom and MyFitnessPal.
3. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are some of the most versatile pieces of workout equipment on the market — and they’re cheap!
Resistance bands can help you get a muscle toning workout in. They also double as warm-up and stretch straps for your shoulders and glutes.
What makes a resistance band such a great piece of equipment is also how light and portable it is. Nothing beats it if you’re looking to get a workout anywhere in your house.
4. A Nutritional Cookbook
Nutrition for shredding or adding muscle is an important part of body fitness at home. For many, eating clean is tough. Luckily, clean eating doesn’t need to be. You can make eating healthy much more enjoyable if you know how to cook.
Not a pro in the kitchen? This is where a nutritional cookbook comes in handy. A nutritional cookbook has plenty of tasty and healthy recipes for you to choose from. The trick is to select a cookbook that fits the diet you’re trying to follow. For example, if you’re going gluten-free, choose a cookbook that’s for gluten-free eaters.
Not all cookbooks need to be in printed format. Apps like Noom and MyFitnessPal can give you access to healthy recipes for your fitness goals. Also, the latter connects you to a community of people who share what they’ve prepared.
5. A Group of Like-minded People Who Are Into Body Fitness at Home
Nothing beats the support and accountability of a group. A group of people who share their home fitness experience with you can get you through obstacles like motivation ruts. Also, nothing rekindles the sense of urgency better than knowing that other people are holding you accountable.
Now, you might be thinking that you’re alone amongst your peers in your journey to be fitter. Luckily, fitness apps like the ones mentioned in this article connect you to a community of fitness enthusiasts. Think of these apps as being like social networks but for fit people!
6. A Yoga or Exercise Mat
Whenever I ask a client what the most important piece of home equipment is, they all say one thing: their yoga mats. It’s hard to disagree.
A yoga mat is crucial to a home gym since it gives you the option of doing exercises that require ground contact. When you think about it, almost every good exercise requires you to hit or stay on the ground.
7. A Juicer
Exercising at a high intensity at home can leave your body craving for vitamins. While multivitamins do take care of your micronutrient needs, there’s a better way to get your vitamins in — naturally. If you’re dreading the idea of munching on kale or spinach the whole day, don’t worry; a juicer makes the experience much easier.
A juicer can help you prepare healthy drinks from fruits and vegetables. If you need some ideas for delicious, refreshing, and vitamin-infused beverages, check out my post on the subject.
8. Free Weights of Any Kind
When it comes to fitness, it’s not enough to live on cardio alone. Strength training is also essential. Training for strength builds muscle, creating the perfect metabolic environment for burning calories even at rest. This creates a physique that’s lean and healthy.
Now I’m not saying you need to go out and invest in a barbell and squat rack (although I can get onboard with that idea). However, you might want to look into getting a pair of dumbbells and even a kettlebell. A kettlebell gives you access to thousands of workouts for both shredding and becoming stronger.
Body Fitness at Home: Bring the Gym to You
Getting fit doesn’t need to be a struggle. By getting these eight essentials, you’ll be on your way to a fitter and healthier self without leaving your home.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/no-gym-required-how-to-get-fit-at-home
https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/5-reasons-why-you-should-keep-a-fitness-journal
http://myfitstation.com/noom-vs-myfitnesspal/
