Although things are slowly (hopefully) getting back to normal with vaccines beginning to roll out across the country and around the globe, it may still take a while for things to get back to normal… especially when it comes to fitness. Even though most gyms started to operate regularly toward the end of last year, fitness enthusiasts are choosing to continue to incorporate at-home workouts into their fitness regimen. Experts believe this trend will continue through 2021.
Emma Hogan with LES MILLS, the world leader of group fitness, offers a few tips and tricks to maximize at-home workouts to achieve the best results possible – advice based on expertise gained through LES MILLS On Demand, a fitness platform offering 1000+ science-backed, online workouts, just voted #1 “Best At-home Workout” in the 10Best awards by USA Today readers.
Stick to Your Schedule
Often the hardest part about exercise is mustering the motivation to get off the couch and get moving. Scheduling a specific time to train each day will not only shape a regular routine, but it will also help manage (and eliminate) any potential distractions. To avoid spending the first half of your exercise time browsing an online library of workout options, decide on your next workout the night before (or at the end of your previous workout session). If you really want to hit the ground running, bookmark the workout, lay out your workout gear and equipment, and make sure your workout space has plenty of room to move.
Create the Perfect Setting for Sweating
For most of us, setting up a gym in the basement isn’t plausible, or necessary. You can create a motivating workout area simply by finding the best place to stream online workouts and keeping any exercise equipment nearby. Watch and learn how to make the most of your space here. By keeping any workout equipment organized in a basket or tidy spot you’ll stay motivated, and remove the hassle of getting “set up” every time you think about exercise. Be sure to always have a sweat towel and water on hand – rushing off to the kitchen to get a mid-workout drink won’t do your fitness goals any good.
Ditch the Distractions
When you’re working out in a gym you’re surrounded by fellow exercisers, the focus on fitness is absolute and the chance of distraction seeping in is slim. At home, it’s a different story. Kids, neighbors, your pets, your phone…they’re all on standby ready to sabotage your exercise. If you want to successfully tick off an at-home workout you need to eliminate potential interferences before they take hold. The easiest way to make this happen is to turn your phone on silent, plan your workout for a time when children or visitors won’t be around to interrupt and make sure your dog or cat is shut away in another room.
Get Your Tech Set-up Sorted
While streaming from your mobile or iPad is perfectly okay, you get a much more motivating experience if you’re hooked up to a bigger screen. This can easily be done by using an HDMI cable to connect your mobile or iPad to the big screen. If you have a Smart TV you can stream most workouts on your television and many believe that investing in Apple TV, Roku or Chromecast is also worthwhile. Good headphones are also a sensible investment. Some people say they love working out with a good sound system and use headphones to make sure they don’t disturb those around them during their workouts. Others say using headphones helps immerse them in the workout more, particularly if they’re working out outdoors.
Don’t Go it Alone
Sharing your exercise experiences with others can positively influence your training – helping boost results whether you’re in the group fitness studio or sweating it out at home. Scientists have found that when exercisers become part of an online community it stimulates them to do more – and the exercise becomes more enjoyable too. Simple activities like sharing posts and receiving encouragement provide the social support many people need to stay motivated. The LES MILLS On Demand private Facebook group is a great space for this.
Choose a Challenge
Research shows that following a well-rounded set routine, or ‘challenge’, can be key to long-term engagement, not to mention physical results such as reduced body mass, lower fat body mass percentage, and other improved health markers. Structured fitness challenges, like the LES MILLS On Demand BOOSTER Challenges, are great because:
- There’s a finish line. This gives you something to reach for. You’re often more motivated to make positive lifestyle changes when you focus on doing it for a short time.
- There’s structure – you know what to do. Forget flipping between different workouts and faffing around trying to decide what type of exercise to do. A challenge makes it easy to stay focused and achieve goals.
- It’s new and different. Boredom is the ultimate motivation sapper, so it’s important you keep working out in novel ways. And it’s not just your mind that needs variety, studies show your muscles benefit from mixing things up too.
- There are others along for the ride. If you’re following a structured challenge, chances are you’re not the only one – and connecting with your fellow challenge colleagues will provide valuable motivation, inspiration and support.
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About the Author:
Emma Hogan is a writer for Les Mills’ Fit Planet and LES MILLS on Demand, a suite of science-backed content created to help educate, motivate and inspire people to live fit and healthy lives. LES MILLS workouts are delivered by 140,000 certified instructors in 20,000 clubs across 100 countries and are available for at-home exercisers via the LES MILLS™ On Demand streaming platform.
Feature photo by Elly Fairytale
