Budget Fitness: How to Create a Workout Routine at Home

Budget Fitness: How to Create a Workout Routine at Home
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Workout at Home

Working out at the gym isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For those of us who feel self-conscious working out in front of other people or feel uncomfortable in gym attire, exercising at home means we can even work out in our pajamas if we want to (just remember to change them before going to bed!) Going to the gym isn’t practical for everyone. Scheduling can sometimes be impossible with work and kids, not to mention the monthly membership costs and initial fees. Working out in the convenience of your home when you want, and how you want for next to nothing is therefore a real option for many of us. Read on to see how you can create a workout routine at home on a budget and get the benefits of strength-training and cardio in the comfort of your own home.

Cardio

If you want to blast fat, then there’s no need to invest in elliptical machines, or high tech treadmills that will bust your budget. To get a fat burning cardiovascular workout, all you need is to invest in a jump rope which can be bought for under $10 at any sports store. Jump roping obliterates calories (up to 1000 calories per hour). It improves your posture, balance, reflexes, agility and coordination, and most of all it’s fun to do as there are many different steps to learn to prevent boredom and incorporate variety.

Start slowly, and then work your way up to 20 minutes per day. You may not be able to do it at once, but most jump ropes come with counters that keep a track of time, calories burned and the number of jumps (revolutions per minute), use the counter as a guide and do small sessions throughout the day, if that’s easier for you.

Toning

There are hundreds of exercise DVD’s available for toning. It can be difficult to decide on one, and if you do purchase one you may find yourself getting bored of working out to the same DVD time and time again. So you’re asking yourself is it really worth paying for something that you’ll only use for a little while? To get the benefits of strength training at home, you need to invest in a pair of dumbbells which are widely available at most sports stores, and have access to the internet.

Many fitness magazines like Shape, Fitness and Self also have online versions. Even if you’re not a paying subscriber you have access to a whole range of articles and tools, including fitness cards that you can print, and videos you can watch that show you how to perform the exercises. Log onto the magazine websites and you’ll have the option of choosing from multiple toning series targeting, abs, arms & shoulders, back, thighs & legs and butt. Or alternatively you can also chose a toning routine for your whole body. You also have the option of selecting a different routine whenever you feel like a change. They also offer tips and advice on how to perform the exercises correctly and how often.

Tips

Working out at home may be the only way of keeping fit for some of us, but there are also many pitfalls. Procrastination is the number one culprit. To avoid the pitfalls of working out at home try the following tips.

  • Designate a time to workout and commit to it. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, or late at night, consistency is key.

  • Exercise in a cute outfit. If you look good, you’ll feel good (but if you insist on your pajamas then that’s your call).

  • Record or TiVo your favorite TV shows. That way you’ll have something to look forward to.

  • Make a few motivating play lists for your ipod. Music helps your workout go by faster.

  • Break your workout up. If you can’t get it all at once, do little increments throughout the day. It all adds up.

Whatever your exercise goal is, it’s achievable by turning your home into a gym to get the benefits of cardio and strength toning by creating your own workout routine tailored to your needs.

Resources

https://www.fitnessmagazine.com/fitness/

https://www.self.com/

https://www.shape.com/indexpage/