Last year I installed a great little workout area in my garage, consisting of a pull-up bar, straps, a few bands, and an odd assortment of dumbbells (ranging from 10 to 20lbs and 95 to 110 lbs).
I have used this space from time to time; you know, when the weather is just right, not too warm, not too cold, and it definitely can’t be on an overcast.
Working out from home is not for everyone, and I can say it is not for me, except on a bi-annual basis. But we all don’t have a choice now. Working out from home is what we are stuck with for at least a little while longer.
You don’t have to like it, but don’t let your stubbornness be the downfall of all the good regular exercise can do for you.
Change Your Expectations
Unless you have a gym at your house and have been motivated to use it on a regular basis, working out from home is not going to be the same experience as working out with your coach or at your gym.
If you think a workout has to be an hour or 45 minutes, you need to throw those ideas out the window. If you can motivate yourself for a full hour, that’s great.
But for most, a win is working out for 10 to 20 minutes. A good high-intensity workout can be done in this amount of time. You will get your heart rate up, release endorphins, and stimulate your muscles. Best of all, you will pull yourself away from the computer or TV for a few precious minutes, which can lead to energizing you to do other things, such as:
- going for a walk, run, or bike
- cleaning the house,
- doing yard work, and so on.
Break It Up
If you were working out for a total of 2 hours a week prior to the stay at home order, but now working out for an hour a day two days a week seems like too much, try breaking it up: workout for 25 minutes 5 days a week.
If you were doing 3 hours a week, you could break that up into 35 minute workouts 5 times a week.
It’s the same amount of work, just broken up in little bite sized workouts over the week. Mentally, 20 minutes of exercise seems a lot more manageable than committing one full hour.
Look At The Flip Side
Some of you might still be thinking, “It’s not the same as working out at the gym; I am going to lose all my progress.”
Of course it is not the same as being in the gym; if it were, you would workout from your home all the time. Let’s be real though, will you lose some progress? Yes, in some areas you probably will.
But there is a flip side to everything. I love lifting heavy; I have not lifted over an 8lb kettlebell in a month. Will I lose some strength? Yes. Will I lose all my strength? Hell to the no, stop being so dramatic.
Over the past month I have worked on my core and aerobic base way more than ever before. I have done stretching and mobility and I am moving better. These are areas I have neglected over the years, but now I am forced to address them. And you will find when you start addressing some of these areas you are going to feel physically better and mentally accomplished.
Try these tips.
If you want a workout plan for home put your email in the box, and I will send you the At Home Workout Builder.
Your Fitness Sherpa,
