Whether it is a busy schedule, or simply wanting to workout at home instead of battling the crowds at the gym, home workouts are an excellent option. With a flat surface and a little space, you can set yourself up for an excellent workout. And, with a few pieces of home exercise equipment, you can really maximize your home workouts.
Let’s start with some excellent exercises that you can do without any equipment, and then we will highlight a few pieces of equipment that you can check out to help with your home workouts.
Bodyweight Exercises for Home Workouts
Bodyweight exercises are, as described, only going to use the weight of your body. They will allow you to get a high-quality home workout in anywhere that you have a flat surface to use.
Here are a few different bodyweight exercises to focus on and start adding to your home workouts.
Push-Ups: You have most likely already heard of push-ups, but what you may not be aware of, is that there are plenty of different push-up options that will allow you to target different muscle groups.
By simply placing your hands closer or wider apart, you can focus more on your pectoral muscles or tricep muscles. If you arch your butt up in the air, bring your feet in, and then lower yourself straight down, you are focusing more on your shoulders. With just this one exercise, you can highlight a number of different muscle groups.
Mountain Climbers: If you are looking for an exercise to get your heart rate up and to work on your core, this is the exercise for you. Mountain Climbers are going to start in the same position as a push-up. From here, you are going to alternate, bringing your right and left knee forward towards your chest. This alternating motion is going to help with developing a strong and toned core.
Bodyweight Squats: You can’t forget about the lower half of your body when working out. With bodyweight squats, you will be able to target your legs and help to tone and strengthen them. All you need to do is place your feet about shoulder-width apart, bend at the knees, and lower yourself down towards the ground.
Do your best to keep your back straight and your core tight as you lower down. You also want to focus on keeping your weight on your heels as much as possible.
Burpees: This exercise is not always the most fun, but it is an excellent full-body workout that will ramp up your home workouts. The exercise is going to have five total positions that you will go through.
Position one will be standing straight up and down. From here, you will bend down and place your hands slightly in front of you. Position three is going to require you to kick your feet out behind and get into the push-up position.
Four is going to be a push-up and then a hop with your feet back into position two. The final movement of this exercise (position five) is going to require you to jump straight up in the air and bring your hands up above your head as you do.
Workout Tools to Maximize Your Home Workout
If you are creative enough, there are several different household items that you can use to help with your home workouts. A chair is an excellent example of a household item that you can use.
You can use it to do dips, step-ups, single-leg lunges, and so much more. Just make sure that your chair is sturdy and able to be used for these exercises.
Another great way to really get your home workouts to the next level is a few pieces of training equipment. And, while you could go big and build yourself out a home gym, you don’t need much to spice up your home workouts and keep yourself engaged and challenged. So here are three training tools that aren’t very expensive, but will allow you to maximize your home workouts.
Exercise Mat: While you technically could do all of the same exercises on the hard ground, an exercise mat is really going to help you when it comes to floor exercises. It will help to cushion the ground and allow you to focus on the exercise that you are doing, rather than how uncomfortable you are on a hard surface.
These mats are also excellent for stretching as well. So after a tough home workout, or on an off day, break out your mat and get a stretch in.
Swiss Ball: If you are looking to tone your core, a Swiss Ball is going to be a gamechanger. You will be able to isolate your abs and obliques like never before. Along with core, you will also be able to use it for stretching, several other push-up variations, and more.
Resistance Bands: If you were going to get only one home exercise tool, resistance bands have to be at the top of your list. They will allow you to be able to work out so many different muscle groups.
Also, without equipment, the majority of bodyweight exercises are push-based. With resistance bands, you will be able to balance out with pull-based exercises. This is going to be critical in making sure that your muscles stayed balanced as you exercise.
Tips for Maximizing Your Home Workout
When it comes to home workouts, you don’t have to dedicate hours and hours of your day to working out. If you can lock in and value your time, you only need 25-30 minutes to get a great workout in; that is the length of a short TV show. So put on one of your favorite shows and workout as you watch. Before you know it, you will have completed your workout, your endorphins will be flowing, and you will have taken one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.
The next thing that will really help you with your home workouts is a game plan. While it may be easier to freestyle a workout at the moment, if you can plan out your workouts for the week (or even longer), you can make sure that you are fully maximizing them. Also, this will allow you a better chance of reaching your fitness goals and will help you keep track of what you have already accomplished.
Conclusion
When it comes to working out, it isn’t just about toning your body or dropping a couple of pounds. Yes, that is one of the benefits, but working out regularly also leads to a better life as a whole. You will find yourself with more energy, a brighter outlook on life, and better mental clarity.
You can have all this without dedicating hours and hours of your day to the gym. With a simple and effective home workout plan, you can experience all of these benefits. So what are you waiting for? Start maximizing your home workouts today!
