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.

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Get Your Gym Space Ready

Starting your home gym means you will need a space dedicated to your workout and exercise sessions. Your minimum gym space area should be at least 6 by 6 sq ft, which you can find from one of your unused rooms, your garage, basement, attic, or even your living room. This compact space requirement makes it possible for people living in apartments or condo units where square footage is limited. You might be thinking of immediately setting up a set of official gym equipment, but a reliable fitness equipment review site would recommend otherwise. Many reputable equipment review sites recommend starting with basic workout items and equipment to make your home gym setup simple and convenient.

Prepare Gym Equipment That You Need

Researching how to stock your home gym with basic stuff is just the first step in preparing your gym equipment. The next step is aligning your fitness needs with the equipment that you are about to set up. If your goal is cardio exercise, you can select different types of gym equipment that are designed for cardio workouts. If you want to undergo strength training, there are also gym equipment specially designed for this purpose.

You can also get a combination of cardio and strength training equipment if you want to do both workout types. Get your basic setup started with a yoga mat, skipping rope, resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, bench, and fitball as some of the recommended equipment.

Set Up and Organize Your Equipment

We mentioned before that you need at least 6 ft by 6 ft of square space, but you don’t have to limit yourself to that minimum space requirement. A good rule of thumb for a convenient gym setup is where you can freely move or extend your arms and legs in any direction, whether you are standing up or lying on the floor. Freedom of movement is essential for any workout or exercise so set up your movement-intensive equipment near the center of the room, while those that are used for unidirectional or bi-directional movements can be set up near the walls or corners.

Organizing your equipment with this in mind can help avoid clutter and keep you comfortable while performing your workout sessions.

Integrate Your Storage Area

Storage is a key consideration for your home gym regardless of the number and size of equipment that you have.  Storing your equipment efficiently not only helps clear up your home gym space for easy cleaning but also helps keep your gym space safe. It also extends the usable period of your equipment. Your storage space needs to be organized for easy access, which is why you need to find a suitable location to designate as a storage area in your home gym.

Corner shelves and racks are ideal for storing dumbbells, kettlebells, weight plates, sandbags, slam balls, and other heavy items. A storage container is a neat and compact item you can use for storing small and portable gym equipment such as yoga mat, skipping rope, sliders, resistance bands, and other small items. If you want to maximize your home gym space, you can utilize the walls for setting a hanging organizer.

Add Other Important Items

Lighting is an essential factor in any room.  Your home gym is no exception, where you need to regularly keep an eye on your form. Having sufficient light within your home gym area also makes your workout comfortable and safe.

A mirror is also an essential addition to your workout space as it serves to distribute natural and artificial light across the room. More importantly, it helps monitor your form to get you to perform your exercises and workouts properly. Having a mirror can also help you keep track of your workout progress and motivate you to maintain or ramp your exercise or workout.

Getting started with your home gym doesn’t need to be complicated. Securing a proper space, identifying your workout needs, and matching basic workout equipment with your workout needs are the fundamental steps in setting up your home gym. You don’t need anything fancy or grand in getting started. What matters are the comfort and practicality of your gym setup to get you motivated.

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These days life is extremely busy, particularly in a culture that continues to shift toward more remote work and longer hours. This lifestyle makes it even more important than ever to keep personal health and fitness a top priority. To maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible, it is vital to establish consistent exercise routines.

For some, this would mean taking time out of your day to run around the neighborhood or go to the gym. However, for busy people or those who live in cold climates, those options are not always on the table. And so a great solution is to turn to home workouts. As technology continues to develop and make many aspects of our lives easier, the same technological revolution is happening with exercise equipment. Two of the best at-home exercise machines on the market are Tonal and Weela, which can be set up in nearly any room with the addition of a gym mirror to see every move while doing exercise.

However, to live your healthiest life means finding the best equipment to fit your lifestyle, which can help keep you motivated. So what is the difference between Tonal and Weela? Which one is better for your exercise routine? Let’s walk through what makes each of them an outstanding choice.

What is Tonal?

Tonal is an innovative piece of home exercise equipment, which it deems “the world’s most intelligent home gym and personal trainer.” In fact, it is effectively an entire at-home gym all in one unit. The base of Tonal is a screen that hangs on the wall in your living room, bedroom, or exercise room. Through the machine, you can do many things, such as watching a personal trainer, coordinating your exercise routine and tracking the progress of your workouts. With built-in arms and digital weights, Tonal allows users to maximize weightlifting and resistance training from right in the comfort of their own home. When paired with a fitness mirror so that you can watch your movements and ensure you are successfully doing all of the motions correctly, Tonal can be an exceptional piece of exercise equipment to keep you motivated and help you live a healthier and fit life.

What is Weela?

Similar to Tonal, Weela is a technologically advanced piece of home exercise equipment that gives people the freedom to work out effectively on their own time and in their own house or apartment. Weela is designed like a smart mat, lying on the floor and including built-in pull straps to do both weight training and resistance training. When paired with a gym mirror and its dynamic mobile app, Weela allows users to customize their workouts, track progress, and get creative with their home exercise routines.

Difference in Functionality

While both very similar products, Tonal and Weela have some key functionality differences. The biggest difference is their portability. Weela is a portable device, easily being stored out of sight or transported into a different room or residence. Tonal, by contrast, is a heavy machine that needs to be securely fastened to the wall, so moving it regularly is out of the question.

Difference in Uses

Though both Tonal and Weela offer personalized exercise coaching, that is most of the focus of Tonal. Because it is mounted on the wall and has a large screen to watch while you are doing your workout, the personalized training that you receive is always at the forefront of the device. Weela also offers personal training, but it comes through its mobile app. This makes it a nice feature, but your phone screen cannot offer the same quality of instruction mid-workout that the large Tonal screen can. For both of these devices, however, it is important to have a gym mirror nearby so that you can ensure you are making the proper movements.

Price Difference of These Tools

Perhaps the biggest difference between Tonal and Weela is the price. Weela’s are simpler pieces of equipment, without the strong wall mounting and large video interface, so they come with a much cheaper price point. Weelas typically run for $1,000 or less, being offered as low as $599. The Tonal, on the other hand, retails for nearly $3,000.

Which One is the Better Equipment for Your Home Gym?

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what Tonal and Weela are, and also about what makes them unique and different from one another. Between design, use, functionality, and price, it is time to decide which is better for your lifestyle. Are you frequently on the go, or working out in different locations? For you, a Weela would be a better option. Ready to invest in your health and dedicate yourself to a personalized and consistent exercise routine? You might want to try Tonal.

Regardless of which piece of equipment fits your lifestyle better, remember the final detail that will make your workouts easier and help make your form the best that it can be: Always make sure there is a gym mirror around while you are exercising!

Article written by Ed A. Murray.

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While you can safely spend some of your time outside, as long as you’re socially distancing, a lot of people have found that working out at their house just makes the most sense. 

If this is something that you’ve recently taken on, here are three simple tips you should follow to ensure that you’re staying safe while working out at home. 

Keep Things Clear

In most homes, there isn’t a designated space where you can safely workout without running into something. But in order to protect your body from harm, it’s important that you have the space you need in order to move without bumping into things. 

In addition to clearing out space in your home, Melissa Malamut, a contributor to the New York Post, recommends that you also have cleared out the air in your space by bringing some fresh air into the room through your open windows. By doing this, you’ll be keeping your body healthy on multiple levels as you workout your body as well as getting some cleaner air into your lungs. If it’s a bit cold, rather open a window but dress warmly, which leads us to the next point.

Dress For The Gym

When you’re working out at home, you might be tempted to just begin working out whenever you remember without actually taking the time to get ready for exercise. However, exercising without wearing the proper attire can be dangerous for you. 

Especially when it comes to your feet, Mallory Creveling, a contributor to Health.com, shares that you need to dress just as you would when going to the gym. Ideally, you should be wearing tennis shoes that are only meant for indoor use.

If this doesn’t work for you, having bare feet is the next best option. And if you do choose to wear only socks, make sure they’re non-slip so you don’t fall and injure yourself. 

Mix Things Up

When working out at home, you might feel very limited in the type of exercise you’re able to do. But to give your body the time it needs to rest and recover, Sarah Winkler, a contributor to HowStuffWorks.com, shares that it’s wise to try cross-training as much as possible. 

As you do different types of workouts throughout the week, you’ll be training various parts of your body and letting other muscle groups rest. This will keep you from overexerting the same area, which makes your body more susceptible to injury. 

To help you stay safe while getting fit at home, consider using the tips mentioned above as you take on home workouts. 

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Nobody says that you have to be a member of a gym in order to stay fit. You can do it exactly in your living room if you wish, or even build a garage gym or turn a spare room into a home gym. So, if you want to stay fit while staying at home, here is how you can achieve it. 

1. Find a Designated Fitness Space

Even though you’re not going to the gym, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your own mini gym at home. This is a good idea since you don’t want all of your gear to be lying around the entire house and create a mess, clutter, and potential tripping hazard.

So, before you start getting the gear, think about what space you can use for your workout. It can be a spare room if you have one, you can set it up in the garage if the conditions allow it or even set it up in your backyard. The choice is yours, just make sure you have enough space for all the equipment to be stored and that you have enough legroom to perform your exercises. 

2. Get the Gear

Before you start spiraling about the amount of money you think you have to spend on your at-home gym, take a deep breath and take it easy. Yes, equipment costs, but if you know exactly what you need, you can spend way less than you’d expect. If you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to invest in a smaller set of dumbbells and resistance bands.

However, if you want to work on your cardio more, consider a stationary bike or a treadmill if you have the room for them. Also, if you’d like something more intense and want to throw some punches you can look into tools for boxing at home, and work both on your cardio and strength. Just think about the type of training you need and would like, and plan your equipment accordingly. Plus, you can always find second-hand weights at a much more affordable price. 

3. Make a Workout Plan

In order to work on your entire body properly, you should establish a workout plan.

You can have 3 exercise sessions a week to start off with, and make sure that you dedicate each segment of training to a specific part of your body. No need to over complicate things. One day can be for your upper-body strength, one for cardio, and for lower-body strength.

The choice is yours, but don’t forget that every workout should have a warm-up, some stretching/cool down in order to avoid any injuries. 

4. Establish a Schedule

When going to the gym at a specific time of day, it’s easy to respect the schedule and never miss a session. However, when working out at home, it’s easy to get a bit lazy and constantly reschedule your workouts or simply postpone them. So, if you make a schedule and even put it in your calendar, it will be a bit easier to stick to your workout routine.

Decide on the days of the week beforehand to dedicate to exercising and pick the time and set it. It can be as simple as a 30-minute workout at first, but then you can move on to an hour a day. 

5. Stream Online Workouts

If you find it hard to work out alone, you can easily find many online workouts that have pre-recorded and live streams in groups. This way, you won’t be alone and it would be easier to follow the schedule. Also, you can download some apps to help you track your progress and goals and keep you motivated to work out more regularly. 

As you can see you don’t have to go to an expensive gym in order to work on your fitness. You can easily set up a small workout corner right at home and stay motivated and fit almost every day!

Photo credits:

• Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
• Kari Shea
• Iga Palacz
• Ayo Ogunseinde
• Jakob Owens

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