If you’re a fitness fanatic who wants to build muscle mass, tone up and burn fat but doesn’t want to shell out for a gym membership, you can still work up a sweat in your living room without any modern workout equipment. Using bodyweight exercises can help you strengthen your muscles, improve posture, shed excess weight and even boost your metabolism.
The problem is that figuring out what you should be doing to get the best home workout results can seem daunting. Luckily, Shape has tapped a handful of trainers to break down the biggest points you need to know when working out at home so that you can create a fitness routine you’ll actually stick with.
For example, it’s important to understand that “the best workout is the one you do consistently,” says trainer Lauren Young. “That’s where the challenge comes in — you have to be committed to showing up and putting in the work.”
She also points out that a good at-home workout should include exercises that target all major muscle groups as well as cardio exercise and core training. She suggests adding in a few days of HIIT workouts, as these are very effective for a full-body burn. To help make the most of these at-home workouts, she recommends tracking your heart rate and reps with a fitness app that helps you track your progress over time.
Another great at-home workout option is plyometric exercises, such as jump squats or lunges. These exercises are designed to increase your speed, agility and strength. If you don’t have access to a set of dumbbells, try doing jumping lunges or squats with a chair or bench. “This is a great way to train your legs for running and other sports,” says Young. “It works every single leg.”
Push-ups, on the other hand, are a versatile workout that target nearly all muscles of your upper body and chest. To help you get the most out of them, Young suggests trying variations such as doing them from your knees or against a wall to really feel the burn in your triceps.
Of course, it’s important to remember that no matter how hard you work out, you’ll never be able to achieve your health goals if your diet isn’t on point. To that end, try eating nutrient-rich foods, including protein, fruits and veggies, whole grains and healthy fats.
While it may take a little time to figure out what your best at-home workout plan will be, once you have one, you’ll be surprised at how much more motivated you are to actually hit the gym. And that’s exactly what you’re aiming for, right? Then you can say goodbye to that excuse for not getting fit. And hello to a more vibrant, healthier life!
Milena Estêvão is a YouTuber passionate about sharing her experiences (challenges, successes and motivations) in the fitness activities she is involved in.
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