Hate the Gym? Here’s How to Work Out from Your Living Room

You can break a sweat without going to the gym.

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Let’s be real for a second. For some people, going to the gym is just not a real possibility. Maybe it’s parents with babies or young kids, people who hate the vulnerability of the gym, or people who just can’t afford the time taken to drive to the gym and back. Whatever the reason, not being able to get to the gym is not an excuse for not working out. Here are a few things to do if you want to workout from the comfort of your living room:

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1. Find a space

You need space to workout. Not a whole lot (and I can say this comfortably as someone who lived in 40 sqm apartment), just enough. I’d say enough that you lie down and stretch out your arms and legs, both ways. It doesn’t have to be a space that is always empty, because not all of us can afford that luxury, it can be your living room, your bedroom, or even your bathroom, it doesn’t matter where it is, as long as there’s enough space.

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2. Get equipment

Keep it simple. You don’t need an exercise bike, a treadmill, and a rowing machine; and you don’t need a barbell, a kettlebell, a set of dumbbells, a medicine ball, and a bosu. Just get a few things, I’d say get a kettlebell, get a couple of dumbbells, and get a yoga mat. That’s more than enough to get you started.

Don’t want to invest in equipment? That’s fine, there are tons of exercises you can do using only your bodyweight, and you can always substitute equipment for stuff you already have at home. The Thrifty Couple have a list of substitutes for equipment, which you can find here. Alternatively, here’s a list of the 20 best bodyweight exercises from Livestrong.

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3. Plan your workout

As with anything else, planning is half the battle when it comes to working out. What you’re going to do is more important than where you do it, and if time is an issue, the type of exercise you choose can be the difference between an effective workout session and ‘some exercise’. This is where it gets harder if you aren’t familiar with working out. I’d recommend going on Youtube and having a look at workouts from PopSugar Fitness, Fitness Blender, or Men’s Health. Make sure to choose workouts that target all the different parts of your body, something for your lower body, and something for your arms and stomach.

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4. Put it in the diary

You know how you make time for your friends and put them in your calendar? Do that for your workouts. Just book them in and make them regular. It’ll make it easier for you to make time for them.

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/Femi, The Girl Who Hates Working Out

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