Are you trying to get that summer glow up? Or maybe going to the gym makes you feel insecure. Perhaps you just don’t have the time or the energy to get yourself there! Here are a bunch of ways you can melt off those inches and get back to being fit! While being at home!
1. Running
Running is one of the most efficient forms of cardio exercise. It is an incredibly rewarding way to shred off extra fat and get fit while enjoying yourself. It really gets your heart pumping and blood flowing, while building endurance. Plus all that oxygen flowing to all parts of your body – especially the brain.
Running also relieves stress and releases endorphins. This gives you the feeling known as the “runner’s high”, a short-lasting, deeply euphoric state following intense exercise.
And the best part? You can practically do it anywhere! If you have a house with a bigger backyard, you can utilize all that space and run laps! Right in your own backyard!
Who needs a treadmill at the gym when you can use…that’s right, the ground! If live in a less crowded neighbourhood or have parks close by, take advantage of your privilege. Run some miles from and back to your house!
You don’t have to drag yourself to the gym to get started. All you have to do is step out of your house and that’s precisely when your workout begins. You don’t need anything past your running shoes.
And if you have a dog? Even better! Take your dog with you out on a refreshing run! Spend some quality time bonding with your pet while getting your exercise together.
To help you get the most out of your run, you can use a fitness tracker to help you monitor your heart rate. Fitness trackers also monitor calories burned and the distance you’ve run. This way you can see how well you did by the end of each run. You simply wear it on your wrist and let it do all the tracking!
Click here to buy a fitness tracker.
Want to know what other essentials to take with you on your next run? Read our article on 11 essentials you NEED to have if you run!
2. Walking
Walking is another fantastic way to get fit! Maybe running isn’t really your thing or you have an injury that might prevent you from safely going on runs. In that case, walking is a fantastic alternative. It burns a decent amount of calories depending on how fast you go.
You can walk in your backyard or around your home. If you have space outside it will make for a more interesting walk. Like going for a walk outside around the area of your neighbourhood or to a park. If you have a pet it is a fantastic way to get exercise together and spend some quality time together.
Walking on a treadmill is also possible if you don’t have the time or are bound by responsibilities in your home. However, if getting a treadmill simply isn’t in your budget, you might want to consider a mini stepper with resistance bands.
It is a much more affordable and great way to get in that exercise with added resistance for an even more intense and rewarding experience and it is a sure way to make sure you’re staying fit.
Click here to buy a mini stepper.
3. Cycling
Yet another amazing cardio exercise to stay fit that not only gets the blood pumping but also really gives you a chance to explore.
Although it is less intense than running as it doesn’t require direct contact with the ground, it is still an excellent way to get in your cardio session. It will help you get fit while shedding off those extra inches – toning your legs all the same.
The thing with cycling though, is that you do need some sort of bicycle. If you’re somebody with no immediate responsibilities at home, I highly recommend investing in an outdoor bike. Not only is it a great chance for you to get some fresh air it also gives you the opportunity to explore the area that you live in. With a bike that has mobility, you can always change up your routes and scenery to make for a much more interesting and exciting cycling trip!
Click here to buy an outdoor bike.
If however, you would much rather prefer the comforts of your home, of you, are bound by having to watch young children etc. investing in an indoor cycling unit is also a very profitable option. With an indoor cycling bike, you can burn off all those calories and get fit – in the comforts of your own home!
Click here to buy an indoor bike.
4. Jump roping
This might be a strange one, but it definitely is incredibly effective when it comes to cardio. Jump roping is a very fun and active way of burning lots of calories and also getting that heart rate pumping. Because it requires quite a substantial amount of energy in bursts, until your stamina is built to that level, it is a great option to get started in sections.
So what that means is something like 2 minutes of jump roping, 2 minutes rest.
Or whatever variation fits your ability and your needs. By doing this routine for about 20 – 30 minutes, you’ll be surprised by how great of a workout you get. You can, of course, change it up, by adding in more minutes of jump roping and fewer minutes of rest.
Since it also has an element of strength training, and therefore endurance, you will get better at it the more you do it because you’ll be building stamina. Eventually, you’ll be jump roping much longer than you’ll be resting for, which only helps you burn even more calories so it’s a win-win all the way!
I do recommend getting a speed training skipping rope, as they’re just better built for skipping specifically for the purpose of getting fit. In the long run, it will help you build on your endurance. However, almost anything will do, as long as you’re moving.
Click here to buy a skipping rope.
5. At-Home Workouts
One of the best ways to get fit at home is simply to pick a video for the millions available on YouTube for free, and get started!
I would recommend you have a fitness mat with you beforehand, as many home workouts have you using your body strength to do the workouts and get you sweating and it is best to have a comfortable and safe surface for you to exercise on without the risk of injuring yourself or getting nasty carpet burns.
Click here to buy a fitness mat.
Want to know what other equipment you might need when starting a home gym? Read our article on 20+ affordable must-haves for your home gym!
6. Dance!
If working out with a set and definite way of movement isn’t really your thing, perhaps dance will be. With dance, there are absolutely no limitations. You don’t even have to be good at it, you just have to move. It increases your heart rate very quickly, you get that blood pumping through your body instantly and it can be loads of fun!
There are a TON of dance workouts videos available on YouTube for you to follow with varying intensity and for different levels so if you’re a complete beginner, don’t you worry, there is tons of content for you.
If you own a Nintendo Switch, a great way to get the absolute most out of your dancing is by getting Just Dance.
7. The Stairs!
If you live somewhere that has stairs, take this as your sign to go and finally utilize them for something more than just getting to your bedroom. Even if you don’t have stairs in your house but have an area close by with a great set of stairs, running up and down them, as boring as it sounds, is actually an incredible way to burn loads of calories really quickly.
Not only are you actively working your entire body, but the up and down direction of your running adds an extra element of resistance which ultimately builds your endurance and acts as strength training in return.
And the best part is? If you stop running and simply walk, that’s still actively burning a decent amount of calories. And just like all the other exercises, slowly doing more and more will make it easier and easier.
And that’s it! I hope you were able to find something that suits your lifestyle and your interests to really help you get in shape for the summer and start looking and feeling like yourself once again! Remember though, aside from all the fancy gadgets and equipment real change happens with your will. So as hard as it seems push yourself to do that workout even on the days you don’t feel like it and remember, consistency is key!
Stay healthy!
