4 Tips for an Intense Home Workout
Working out in a gym isn’t for everyone.
Maybe you’re short on time, maybe you just can’t stand the Celine Dion being pumped in through the loud speakers.
Whatever the reason, it’s possible to effectively train in a home gym.
But be aware that working out at home isn’t without its potential pitfalls.
It takes an increased level of commitment and self-discipline to not skip your workouts in exchange for sitting down on the couch with a bag of chips and get sucked into reruns of The Simpsons.
Here are 4 tips for successfully working out at home:
1. Forget The Home Gym Workout Scams
Here’s the scene:
It’s 3 o’clock in the morning, and one of those infomercials for the latest breakthrough in home fitness equipment comes on.
In your vulnerable state of insomnia, the all-in-one gym (available for the low, low price of $29.95 a month—and it comes with a free set of steak knives!) starts to sound like a great idea.
Trust me, the reason why so many of these gadgets end up on eBay is because most of them are cheap in design and manufacturing and never get used.
Save your money!
2. Plan Your Home Gym Workout
Create a schedule for yourself and stick to it.
There are always ample excuses for not going to the gym.
Well guess what…you’re going to find even MORE excuses not to work out at home.
Set aside specific times (down to the minute!) for your workout and let nothing short of an A-bomb interfere.
3. Define Your Home Gym Workout Goals
Sit down and write out your workout goals.
Once you know what you’re trying to achieve, you’ll know what pieces of equipment to buy.
You don’t want to waste space or money on equipment that won’t contribute to your training.
4. Give Your Home Gym Workout Equipment Its Own Space
I know I’m beating up on those infomercial home gyms, but I’ve got to make one last point…those “fold away and tuck under the bed” contraptions aren’t what you need.
Instead, you should devote a space exclusively to your home gym.
Out of sight — out of mind, right?
If you don’t see the equipment, it’s easier to “forget” to train.
You want it staring you in the face, wagging its finger and guilting you into using it.
In my next post, I’ll lay out the best bodybuilding equipment on a budget so you can equip yourself with all you need for an intense workout at home!
In the meantime, please share what equipment YOU have at home in the “Comments” section below…
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More from: Jeff Anderson
Jeff Anderson is a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Army, a Master Fitness Trainer, and Master Instructor of Close Quarters Combat self defense. A full time fitness and self defense author, Jeff has trained thousands of men and women in the practical application of advanced military fitness methods as well as close combat tactics for "real life" self defense.
To see more from Jeff Anderson, check out the following websites:
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3 letters TRX. Best piece of home gym equipment out there
I’m a military retiree, senior citizen and old martial artist. The joints took a beating over the years and the docs took me off most free weights. In 1994, I bought a Trimax. It is hydraulics with 2 way resistance, what you push you then pull. It was designed to work fast and hard combining the resistance and cardio. I now have two and use it 3 days a week. As a senior, I also use the tube and dumb bells, no more large free weights. I also bike about an hour to a hour and a half, 3 days a week.
I have a BOSU and use it w/ the Fit For Duty Workout. I have mats, an exercise ball, steps for the Fit For Duty step workout, & dumb bells. I think that’s about all I need. I do have a non-motorized treadmill that I never use. Thanks for your great workouts & articles.
Great post, I’m a massive fan of training at home, no distractions, save time and you can’t waste your time on fancy machines (because they are not there). Keep up the great articles.
Niko
I’ve got a pull up bar, a ultimate body press dip stand, ab wheel, jump rope, and the floor… O yea n the desire to be a beast… It’s important to be strong in uptown NYC… Love all the articles
push ups, crunches, and roadwork, cheap and easy
Thank you for the article it was very helpful. I’m a senior citizen and retired U.S. Army. I want to get back is shape but not with all the expensive equipment and the gym fees. The home gym is right for me.
I think the most important tip on this list is to PLAN your routine. At home it’s so easy to just do what you feel like and stop working out. A targeted, well thought out exercise plan will produce results. On the other hand if you just decide to exercise when you can or when you feel like it … guess what, YOU WILL NEVER FEEL LIKE IT! Great post.
I love working out! I have alot of DVDs
(my favorite being Bikini Body Boot Camp) at home and just up the hill where I live, there’s a Gym for the people in my apartments. It’s cheap and easy! I love it! Especially during the winter!:)