In recent years, remote fitness has surged in popularity and revolutionized the way people approach exercise and fitness. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to learn how to work out from home without accessing fitness centers. Even as gyms have now reopened, many are choosing to stick with the flexibility and convenience that working out at home offers. Regardless of whether you’re looking to save money and time or just be comfortable in your own workout, learn a bit more about this growing trend and use it to build a fitness routine that works for you!
WHY REMOTE FITNESS IS ON THE RISE
So why is remote fitness on the rise? Like we have mentioned above, with the onset of the pandemic and restrictions on public places, many people have opted to stay home to work out even after the restrictions have been lifted. Not only do at-home workouts eliminate the need to commute to a gym or fitness studio, they are also significantly cheaper without having to commit to a membership. This saves both time and money and allows you to fit in a workout in the morning, at night, or in between work meetings. Working out from home also provides a more affordable alternative, as you can use fitness apps or YouTube to find workouts that suit your preferences. The only major purchase required would be some basic equipment (i.e. walking pad, weights, etc). At-home workouts offer a vast range of classes and routines that you can adjust to your schedule and difficulty level. You can find videos and programs for yoga, pilates, strength training, HIIT, dance, and so many other forms of exercise. With all of these options available, you can tailor your workouts to your fitness goals and find the right exercise regime for you. For those who might be new to working out or prefer privacy rather than exercising in front of others, working out from home is a great option. You can learn new routines, go at your own pace, and feel no fear about trying new routines.
HOW TO STAY FIT AT HOME
With remote fitness, staying consistent and motivated to perform can be difficult without the pressure to go to a separate fitness center daily. Below are some tips to keep you on track to reach all of your fitness goals.
- The most important thing is to create a separate space dedicated only to working out and staying active. Even if you do not have an entire room available for an at-home gym, set aside a small space where you can comfortably move around, store your gym equipment, and get into a fitness-focused mindset when you are there. Be sure the area is free of clutter and other distractions, and stay on top of cleaning the area and your equipment frequently. Treat it like your own actual gym and add personal touches such as workout posters or faux plants to create a calming atmosphere to motivate you further!
- Find the right online platforms to give you access to the right workouts tailored to you. With this explosion of remote fitness, there is no shortage of websites, apps, and YouTube channels that offer all sorts of workout programs. Finding the right platform that matches your workout goals guarantees long-term fitness success. Many platforms offer subscription services, like Peloton or Apple Fitness+, which have a range of live and on-demand workout classes. You can typically test out these courses first with a free trial before deciding to commit. If doing subscriptions is out of the budget, head to YouTube, which is full of free workout videos. You can find yoga channels, no-equipment videos, and so much more without any cost.
- After getting set up and deciding what types of workouts to do, the next key step is to build your routine and keep it balanced. You shouldn’t be doing the same workout every day, but have a variety of workouts to rotate through every few days. Find exercises that target different things, from strength to flexibility to cardio, because each of these goals should to be hit through your workouts. Incorporate bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and workouts featuring dumbbells or resistance bands if you have them. These will help to build muscle and improve your metabolism. Next, which is likely the easiest of workouts to do from home, incorporate cardio into your routines. Whether it be walking around your neighborhood, dance videos, or jumping rope for 15 minutes, these will all provide excellent cardiovascular benefits. Also include workouts that target mobility, such as yoga and pilates to strengthen your core and better your flexibility. Don’t forget to rest and give your body time to recover from your workouts. Incorporate rest days or low impact activities like walking or stretching on days you choose not to engage in other forms of exercise.
- It is important to set clear goals and track your progress to keep you on track and motivated to meet your goals! Staying motivated without the structure of a gym can be hard, but by setting clear goals to keep you on track, you will be able to move forward. Sample goals include: losing weight, building muscle, improving flexibility, or simply maintaining activity for a few times a week. Having a specific goal will give you something to work towards when working out at home. A great way to track your workouts and your progress is to use a fitness app or journal to track milestones. By doing this, you can see how far you have come and use it as motivation to keep going when you feel lazy or tired. Another important thing to consider is creating a schedule. Treat your home workouts like an appointment – something you must attend and complete no matter what. Schedule them into your day after work or early in the mornings and stick to it!
- Finally, be sure to celebrate all of the small wins. Fitness is a journey, and it is important to celebrate your progress along the way when you’re done. Regardless of whether it was your first push-up or you finally hit your weight loss goal, it is important to recognize how far you have come and reward yourself for your fantastic achievements.
