How to Make Your At-Home Workout Count

Can you believe it is already 2021? After the crazy year that was 2020, I feel the phrase “New Year’s Resolutions” has a whole new meaning this year. I say this because instead of thinking too much about the future, more of us are focused on making the present count because we never know what tomorrow will hold. I know when it comes to new year’s resolutions, many of us want to lose a certain amount of weight by the end of the year, or workout a certain number of times every week, but sometimes holding yourself too strictly to future goals can be stressful as we feel disappointed when we fall short of those resolutions. Instead, I believe it is better and more effective to focus on how we can make the most of our current situation. This is why today I will be sharing four ways in which you can make your at-home workout count! I wanted to specifically discuss at-home workouts because I know some of us can be weary to go back to the gym when the pandemic is still in full swing. Some of us might also be intimidated by the gym and would much rather be working out in the comfort of our own home. Regardless of what category you fall under, I will offer you some tips that will make you look forward to your at-home workouts and help you achieve your fitness goals!

Blast your music

Setting the tone for your workout is very important. Try investing in a portable speaker or plug in your headphones and curate the best playlist for your workout. Music releases a lot of dopamine and so does working out. This is what makes music such a great motivator when it comes to exercising. It will relax you and allow you to clear your mind so you can focus on getting a good workout in. I recommend using the JBL Flip portable speaker as it is lightweight and exudes high-quality sound.

Invest in a couple of at-home workout essentials

Purchasing a pair of dumbbells, resistance bands, or ankle weights can make a world of a difference in your everyday at-home workout regimen. By investing in some workout equipment, you are able to expand the variety of workouts you can do at home that goes beyond just using your body weight. By having this equipment, you can better target certain muscle groups, thus leading you even closer to achieving your fitness goals.

Look up YouTube videos

If you are a beginner or just looking for a good workout routine, YouTube is the best place to go to. There are a ton of different fitness creators out there who have already put together an entire work out for you. YouTube makes it so easy for us to just search up the kind of workout we’re looking for. All you have to do is follow the video to get your sweat sesh in! I also know that when it comes to following a YouTube video versus doing my own workout, I sweat more following a YouTube video. This is because these exercise influencers are constantly trying to help us push ourselves to become stronger and get that extra set in. Some of my favorite creators on YouTube are Chloe Ting, Whitney Simmons, and Blogilates.

Switch it up

When it comes to working out, it is very important to switch up our routine frequently especially when it comes to at-home workouts since they can get boring very easily. You don’t want to be exercising the same muscle group everyday as that will exhaust your muscles and actually make it harder for you to reach those fitness goals. Also doing the same workout can just be flat-out boring! By switching up your routine from a leg workout to a HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout, it can make your exercise routine more interesting. It will even be more fun as you are doing something different every day. And once you get more used to working out, you may even be confident enough in yourself to curate your own workout routine. You can keep things interesting by trying out different exercise moves with each workout routine.

Invest in cute workout clothes!

I know a lot of us feel more confident when we love the clothes we are wearing. Same goes for workout clothes! Try to invest in some cute workout pieces that make you feel more confident in yourself- if you feel confident you are going to feel more motivated when you exercise. Also, don’t feel you have to spend $100 on Lululemon leggings (but if you want to, by all means, do you!). You can easily find really cute and affordable workout attire at stores like Academy Sports & Outdoors, Target, and Amazon!

All in all, I think when it comes to being healthier and exercising more, we all need to remember that we can’t be so hard on ourselves. This is what makes exercising seem so burdensome, but it doesn’t have to be! If you follow these tips, I can assure you that it will make your workout routine way more fun and you will actually start looking forward to it! Remember that it is always good to have your fitness goals, but try to put your energy and focus on what you can do now and figure out what steps you have to take in order to reach those goals. I can guarantee you that with this mindset you will be able to achieve these goals sooner than you expect!