Working out at home can be challenging to say the least. With the couch only 5 feet away, it’s hard not to plop down and get sucked into an episode of something. I get it. It’s tough when there are tons of distractions within arms reach, but I’m here to give you 5 ways to motivate yourself to crush your next at home workout.
Let me start by saying before I was on lockdown in NJ, I was really committed to going to the gym (for the whole week prior.) I bought my supplements and was about to order expensive new headphones, but things changed. Quick.
When things change, you must learn to adapt. With the gym closed, I had to think about how to make working out at home actually work.
1. Create a workout space
My workout space is an absolute mess. It isn’t the most motivating, but I’ve learned to associate working out with this spot. Set aside a corner of the room or an area that is free to move around a bit. This will be your at home gym. If it helps, post up a mirror or a quote near by that inspires you.
If you have a studio apartment and no space at all, you can always have a specific way to move things around and keep it consistent. This consistency helps to set the tone for your workouts and get you in the zone.
2. Get versatile equipment
You DO NOT NEED equipment, but I gotta say that it helps to have pieces that make me feel like I’m pushing myself harder. Grab yourself a set or two of dumbbells in different doable weights. Resistance bands are also a huge staple for many workouts, you can try this set from P’tula. I also love a good jump rope or some sliders. These items can all be found at somewhere like WalMart, Five Below, or Amazon.
3. Get dressed for the gym, sneakers included
Whatever you do, don’t try to workout in the same clothes you slept in. Get up, get dressed in a fire outfit and tie your sneakers on. By getting dressed, you’re telling yourself you’re geared up and ready for this workout.
4. Find or create a few playlists to choose from
Music really can be a motivation. Sometimes I’ll be feeling rock, other times I’ll want some house music. Having a couple different workout options helps me to always have a consistent flow of music I’m into at the moment.
4. Stop thinking about it & just do it
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven to the gym, sat in the parking lot for 15 minutes and drove home. The thinking about how I don’t want to do it fills me with dread. If you stop thinking about why you don’t want to do it and actually take action, you’ll get outside of your head and into doing what you have goals to do. I know this is a lot harder, but oftentimes just taking action is what you need to do to get that burst of motivation.
4. Stay consistent with your accountability buddies
Travis and I don’t see eye to eye on some things and working out is one of them. I love the gym and he won’t step foot in it. However, when I do find myself working out at home, he’s right there with me. Working out motivates him to get more active and in turn makes me want to keep up the fitness routine for the both of us! We hold each other accountable and encourage pushing ourselves a little further – like a walk or jog after weights.
5. Find a program to follow OR just write it out so you can see it
I use an app to plan my workouts for me because this is what motivates me. I swear by this app because not only is it easy to use, it’s game changing for fitness goals. It allows me to keep track of things in one place. Also, finding a program that offers you gym or at home options is amazing because it allows you to be versatile while also fitting in workouts wherever you are.
If you can’t find a program that works for you, it will help to just write out your own workout. This can be done on a whiteboard, in a notebook or on a scrap piece of paper. Writing it out will better prepare you and get you in the groove to know what’s coming up.
Working out at home isn’t as easy as it sounds. Although it can be convenient because you don’t have to leave the house, it’s hard to get into a fitness mindset when your bed is right next to you.