If you have a busy schedule, you may find it difficult to go to the gym every day. Not going to the gym could also be true for other reasons, such as feeling uncomfortable working out in front of others. If you are dependable on your workout routine to keep fit and healthy, it can be a real problem. Luckily there are many things that you can do in order to improve and increase your workout routine without going to the gym.
Build A Home Gym
Building a home gym is perhaps the best option that you have. Doing so can be expensive if you research home gym prices but it will definitely pay off in the long run. If you buy the right equipment, have good quality in your weights and machines, you will be able to use the same home gym for years to come. Home gyms are more personal – you will not feel intimidated by others who are there with you working out or make you self-conscious when watching yourself in the mirror. A home gym is also private – meaning that it can be used whenever you want without worrying about whether anyone else is using it at that time. You will also save money on membership fees which will allow you to increase how much money that can go into buying new equipment each year. Here is some common equipment to have in your home gym:
Treadmill
This is perhaps one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should consider buying. When shopping for a treadmill, there are two types that you can choose from:
- Foldable Treadmills:
This type of home gym equipment features an incline and decline option – allowing you to target your upper and lower body by adjusting what your legs and arms do during the workout. They also fold up vertically so they take up less space than other types of treadmills and can easily be stored away in a cupboard or under your bed.
- Non-folding Treadmills:
These machines do not have an adjustable incline and decline option. They normally include a range of pre-programmed workouts and features such as heart rate monitors and built-in speakers.
Recumbent Bike
A bike is another great home gym equipment choice. You can either choose to buy an upright or recumbent bike, depending on your personal preferences. Bikes are used for cardio exercises that train large muscle groups, such as the quadriceps (muscles located at the front upper portion of our thighs), hamstrings (muscles located at the back upper portion of our thighs), and gluteal muscles (the group of muscles that makes up our buttocks).
Weight Rack
Another good investment for your home gym is a weights rack. There are many different types of fitness equipment available that can help you increase muscle size and strength, such as free weights or adjustable dumbbells. A weight rack will give you the ability to store all of these exercise tools in one place while keeping them organized and out of the way when not in use. When shopping for a weight rack, make sure that it has enough space to hold all of your barbells, dumbbells, other equipment, and accessories, yet small enough so it doesn’t overtake an entire wall in your house.
Take Up Running
Jogging or running is a very good way to increase your physical fitness without visiting the gym. You will want to start with slow, steady jogs at first so you don’t injure yourself and gradually increase your speed as you become fitter. Jogging outdoors is more challenging than doing so on a treadmill because there are other objects that can obstruct your routes – such as trees, cars, and people. This makes it harder for you to run but also provides a better workout since it engages your whole body against different forces from nature.
Go Swimming
Swimming is another great option if you enjoy it and want to get fit without going to the gym. There are many different ways that you can work out whilst swimming – such as doing laps, practising pulls or doing drills. Swimming mainly targets your lower body but also has some chest and arm work involved.
Watch YouTube Workout Videos
There are thousands of free workout videos on YouTube. Some require different types of equipment, such as kettlebells, resistance bands or medicine balls while others do not. You can also choose to create your own workout routines by combining different exercises with each other or follow ones that suit your specific needs (such as abs workouts).
These are just a few tips to help you stay fit and healthy without going to the gym. You should try to find a method of exercise that you enjoy doing, as it will keep you motivated and likely stick with your routine for long periods of time.