Why You Don’t Need Gym Equipment to Get a Good Workout
When you think about getting in shape, you probably picture of a gym filled with treadmills, weights, and barbells. Although this equipment makes for some great workouts, it isn’t a necessary component to getting in shape. You can train from the comfort of your home with little to no equipment and still get in a great workout. Here are some ways you can get started.
At-home bodyweight exercises
Working out at home for the first time can feel overwhelming, and you may be asking yourself “Where do I even start?” When it comes to bodyweight exercises, the options are endless. The internet is full of awesome bodyweight exercises to do at home with no equipment. Get started with these:
- Jump squats
- Push ups
- Crunches and sit ups
- Lunges
- Glute bridges
- Calf raises
- Mountain climbers
- Jumping jacks
It’s also simple to combine any of these and create your own circuit to help increase your heart rate and build muscle. Make sure you’re always pushing yourself when doing any form of exercise so that you can continue to increase your cardiovascular abilities and strength.
Cardio anywhere
Like strength training, you also don’t need a gym to get in a good cardiovascular workout. You can either do a circuit with some of the bodyweight exercises listed above or find another form of cardio. You could run outside, run stairs at a stadium, speed-walk uphill, do suicide drills, or pursue a number of other high-intensity exercises.
You can also mix up the kind of cardio you do. You can try high intensity interval training where you push yourself extremely hard for short bursts and then take a break and repeat for about 20 minutes. Or, you can do steady-state cardio at a constant, comfortable pace. Either choice offers a ton of health benefits, and they’re easy to complete without any gym equipment.
Are at-home exercises effective?
It’s a common myth that at-home exercises aren’t as effective as their weighted counterparts. Any exercise that pushes your mind and body is beneficial to pursue. At-home workouts can be just as strenuous as equipment-based exercises and they’re usually easier on your joints. They’re also convenient, which makes you more likely to work out regularly.
If you’re looking for some motivation as we head into the new year, reach out to us today! We offer free consultations and would love to teach you some new at-home exercises to make you comfortable and confidant in your ability to work out!