Working Out Without Gym, How To Work Out In Smaller Spaces

Most people understand that regular exercise is important for your overall health. Maybe you even consider yourself to be a fitness buff. But, if you don’t have access to a gym and you live in a smaller space, you might find it difficult to get in the workouts you really want. Or, maybe you’ve stopped exercising altogether because of your cramped quarters.

The pandemic caused more people to work out from home than ever before. Since so many gyms across the country closed down for some time, people who wanted to stay fit and healthy were required to get creative with their exercise routines. You can do that, too, no matter how small your living space is. Not sure how to get started or make it work? We’ve got you covered.

Motivate Yourself

Again, most people recognize that exercise is important and a great way to maintain your health. But, when you live in a small space it’s easy to use that as an excuse to avoid working out. Sometimes, it takes a little extra motivation to get you started or to force you to think creatively.

With that in mind, here are some of the biggest benefits you’ll gain from regular exercise:

Improved mood/more happiness
Stronger muscles and bones
Boosted energy levels
Reduced risk of chronic illnesses
Better skin health
Improved memory
Better sleep quality

As you can see, exercise has so much more to offer than weight loss. While that’s certainly a perk if you want it to be, it should never be the sole reason you want to work out. Once you understand just how much of a positive impact exercising can have on your life, you’ll be more motivated to find the space for it. Thankfully, finding that space is easier than you might think.

Downsizing and Decluttering

If you live in a small space, one of the best ways to make more room is to declutter. That includes getting rid of things you no longer need, rather than just picking them up and shoving them into a closet. There are multiple benefits of a decluttered home, including reduced stress and boosted productivity. You’ll also feel more in control and ready to take charge of your space.

When it comes to bigger pieces, like furniture, you can make the most of your space by only keeping what you absolutely need (or love!), and making swaps for more practical pieces. Getting rid of large sofas, extra chairs, or anything that doesn’t have a practical purpose in your layout can also make a big difference.

If you don’t want to get rid of anything, consider rearranging your furniture and other items in a way that provides you with the most space. The last thing you want is to accidentally knock something over while you’re doing a HIIT routine, or tripping and falling over something that’s in the way of your movements. A functional home is also a safe home.

Make the Most of Home Routines

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to working out in small spaces. You might not have a full gym at your disposal, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get in great routines from the comfort of your own home.

First, understand that certain types of workouts simply work better for small spaces than others. For example, things like Pilates and yoga can be done from almost anywhere. They don’t require any big machines and are extremely quiet. If you’re living in an apartment or shared space, you won’t bother your neighbors when doing your morning workout.

However, if you want to do something a bit more intense or something that will help with strength training, there are bodyweight exercises you can do at home that will improve your cardiovascular health while building muscle, a few basic ones may include:

Squats
Lunges/reverse lunges
Push ups
Mountain climbers
Side leg raises
Sit-ups
Oblique crunches

The list goes on, and that’s extremely beneficial for people working out at home. You can put together your own exercise routine to keep things fresh and fun. Find out which exercises work best for you and which ones you enjoy doing, and create a “circuit” that you can do in your living room or bedroom.

Because home workouts have become so popular, you can also take advantage of free YouTube channels with full workout videos, or invest in an online program that will guide you through different routines designed for small spaces.

Exercise is important for everyone. Don’t let your lack of space keep you from working out regularly. With a little bit of creativity, you can stay fit, healthy, and reap the benefits of regular exercise without ever having to set foot in a gym again.

Author bio

Dan Matthews is a writer, content consultant, and conservationist. While Dan writes on a variety of topics, he loves to focus on the topics that help our minds and bodies as well as looking inward on mankind that help to make the surrounding world a better place to reside. When Dan isn’t working on new content, you can find him with a coffee cup in one hand and searching for new music in the other.