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7 Free Ways to Get Fit at Home

Finding time to get to the gym is hard when your life is all hustle and bustle. You don’t want to pay for a membership that you’re not going to use, even if you want to work out.

 

So, how are you going to do it?

 

Believe it or not, it’s entirely possible to be active and work out in your own home. You don’t need a ton of fancy equipment or a personal trainer. You can use these seven ways to get fit at home instead!

 

1. Use Free Online Workouts

 

The internet is a magical place. There are millions of free workout routines scattered over different sites that cater to all different goals.

 

All it takes is a simple search to find something that works for you.

 

YouTube is chock-full of workout videos that you can follow along to. Watching a video while you exercise can keep you from feeling like you’re doing it all on your own.

 

Fitness apps are another great resource that you can customize to fit your needs and track your progress.

 

Along with readymade routines, you’ll find all kinds of single exercises that you can layer together to make a routine of your own.

 

Here are some awesome resources to get you started:

 

Muscle and Strength’s Workout Database

50 Best Free Online Workout Resources

31 Best Free Workout Apps to Try

 

2. Get Moving in Spaces of Time

 

Like we said, time can be difficult to find. How are you supposed to get fit if you can’t find the time to do it?

 

This is where you use those little gaps of time throughout your day to sneak some in.

 

Figure out a few quick and easy moves you can do and keep them in the back of your mind while you go about your day. That way, you can get a few reps in whenever you have time.

 

If you are waiting for your food to heat up, don’t just stand around scrolling on your phone. Do some push-ups instead!

 

Hold a plank while you steep your tea. Squat while you’re watching that movie. Wall-sit when you text instead of using a chair.

 

It may not seem like much in the beginning, but those little bits of time definitely add up in the end.

 

3. Use Your Bodyweight

 

A lack of equipment doesn’t mean you can’t get fit. You happen to have the perfect weight with you right now: your body! 

 

Bodyweight exercises are accessible to everyone. There is no equipment required, and you don’t have to go to the gym. However, if you do want to use free weights or a pull-up bar, no one is going to stop you.

 

This kind of workout is also easier on the body.

 

Using your bodyweight to exercise is friendly to your joints and allows you to use a more natural range of motion for each move. 

 

Squats, push-ups, lunges, and burpees are all examples of effective bodyweight exercises you can utilize to aid in your fitness journey. Just make sure you’re using the proper form for each move to get the most out of it.

 

4. Challenge Yourself

 

Challenges are an amazing motivation to get started working out at home.

 

30-day challenges are all the rage. They typically focus on a single part of the body that you’ll be working over the span of 30 days to make it stronger or more sculpted.

 

You can find just about any sort of challenge posted online.

 

There are 30-day squat challenges, arm challenges, ab challenges, and thigh challenges. There are also challenges that focus on the entire body like weight loss challenges, beach body challenges, and little black dress challenges.

 

If you don’t see one that appeals to you out there on the web, consider creating your own 30-day challenge instead.

 

By creating a challenge yourself, you can make sure it fits the goals you want to reach over the course of a month. Keep your expectations realistic, and don’t push yourself too hard from the start. 

 

Overall, 30-day challenges should be fun!

 

5. Create Your Own Weights

 

Sometimes, you need to use a little weight to get the most out of your workout. But not everyone wants to buy brand-new weights. So why even mention it?

 

Hear us out:

 

Weights aren’t the only thing you can lift.

 

It’s time for you to get creative. Look around your house for items that are heavy enough to give you some resistance and are still easy for you to hold. There are plenty of household items that work great for exercise.

 

Grab a couple of soup cans to do some curls. Add a gallon of milk to your squats and lunges. Do push-ups with a large bag of rice on your back.

 

Anything with a handle is fair game!

 

If you have the perfect weight but you can’t quite figure out how to hold onto it, stick it in a grocery bag. Just make sure it’s not so heavy that it tears through or breaks the handles.

 

6. Go for the Stairs

 

This one is pretty straightforward.

 

When you have the chance, skip the escalator or the elevator and head for the stairs instead. This doesn’t necessarily apply to your home, but it’s a great way to supplement your fitness routine.

 

Similarly, walk or bike short distances rather than taking your car.

 

Little changes like these will help you be more active and get fit while you’re working out at home. All those little steps are important.

 

7. Give Yourself a Goal

 

Fitness goals are not just important to your journey, they are essential.

 

Motivating yourself to work out and be healthy can be a struggle. That’s where your goals come in. Having something to push toward and measure yourself by will make getting motivated so much easier.

 

Ask yourself — why am I doing this?

 

Maybe you’re trying to lose 15 pounds. Maybe you’re preparing yourself for a marathon. Or perhaps health is your motivator. That’s the start of setting your fitness goals.

 

Now, get down to the nitty-gritty.

 

What does your goal mean to you? Do you want to be able to run a certain distance or fit into a piece of clothing? The more specific you are, the easier it will be to track your goals.

 

Keep your expectations realistic and you’re sure to crush them!

 

In Summary

 

Fitness is what you make of it. Not everyone spends an hour a night at the gym because not everyone needs to. Training like an Olympic athlete won’t benefit you if you’re just trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

 

Getting in shape is 100% possible at home.

 

Turn on your favorite music and cue up that booty-busting challenge you’ve been looking forward to starting. It’s time to get fit!

 

Author Bio:

Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the conventional housing industry and works with West 38 on a daily basis to help them with their marketing efforts.