How To Make Working Out at Home Suck Less

So… it looks like working out at home is here to stay. At least for the next few months (I’m staying hopeful for an almost normal fall, but who really knows at this rate).

As someone that rarely worked out at home prior to the pandemic, it’s been a huge shift for me! I miss being in a studio SO much, both as a participant and as an instructor, but I’m grateful for all the opportunities and ways to workout out at home right now. It’s not perfect and it’s not the same as being in a studio if, I’m going to be honest. But it’s still working out and moving your body.

I totally understand that for some right now working out right now is a total struggle. And understandably so — it’s a freaking pandemic. I am not here to guilt you or anyone into working out. Give yourself love and grace during this time.

For me right now more than ever working out has felt like this small bit of normalcy in my life when everything else definitely doesn’t feel normal. As I said last week, I don’t think I’ll be an at-home workout gal forever, but right now I’m making it work.

Here are a few things I’ve figured out over the last few months that have made working out at home suck a little less:

Making Working Out at Home Suck Less:

Invest in the equipment you need.

I held off on doing this way too long! My workout of choice is barre. While my kitchen counter has been good enough as a makeshift barre, I didn’t have the right weights I wanted for class and I really missed having an actual ball for exercises that call for one.

For the first few months, I made it work, but then I finally bought a ball and the right weights for class. It made me SO much happier in those exercises! It also made working out at home feel a bit more like working out in the studio. I can’t believe I waited so long.

I’m not saying you need to go all out and buy tons of expensive equipment, but if you realize you’re missing having a ball in barre class but have been hesitant to buy one because this will all be over eventually… buy the ball.

 

Create a workout space.

I’m still in my old apartment. It’s not very big but carving out a corner of my apartment by my window as my little workout area has been super helpful. I removed the chair that used to be in my living room so I wasn’t constantly moving furniture around every morning before taking a class. Having this little corner with all my props and what I need for class has been helpful for me. And I’m sure my downstairs neighbors appreciate I’m not moving around furniture as much.

 

Try different ways to tune in.

If the at-home workout experience has been a slog, I so hear you. It’s really tough when there are a million distractions! If you haven’t already, try out a few different ways to workout at home:

• do you own solo thing.
• try an on-demand class.
• do a Zoom workout that’s happening live.

I found for me Zoom was the way to go — being able to book a class keeps me accountable. For me, it’s sometimes the only time I talk to other humans during the day. I also find a weird amount of comfort and strength in knowing that I’m doing this workout alongside oh so many others that are working out at home, too. We’re making it work! Shameless plug for my own Zoom yoga classes 😜 check them out here!

I’ve heard from other friends that they SO prefer on-demand because they can make it work for their schedule. Play around with different options if you haven’t found something that works for you!

 

Working out in the AM? Set yourself up the night before.

Waking up early to take a class these days is HARD. Set yourself up for success by taking out everything you need the night before. If you need to move furniture around for class, do that the night before. Unroll your mat if you need one. Have your weights and props set out ready to go. Your morning self will thank you!

 

Workout with a friend (virtually!)

I personally haven’t done this, but I know a lot of people that have! You can choose a class to stream with a friend and then Zoom privately so you can workout together in essence. It sounds like such a cute way to keep in touch with a friend while also motivating each other to show up.

 

Stash your phone away!

I was just chatting with a friend about how much we miss being able to stash our phone away in a locker. It’s so silly to say, but it’s true! If you find yourself being distracted by various pings and notifications mid-workout, stash your phone away! It’s just as important now as it always was to give yourself that time to disconnect.

 

It won’t be the same as in-studio or at the gym.

Let go of that expectation. If you’re a group fitness lover like me it simply won’t be the same experience or energy as being in a fitness studio with 20 other people. But I’ve found I can still enjoy these workouts at home, even if it’s not exactly the same.

 

Give yourself grace.

I feel like all my pandemic related posts end with this, but it’s really true. At the end of the day, it’s okay if you’re not feeling motivated to workout. It’s okay if you’re struggling with motivation. It’s a freaking pandemic! Be kind to yourself and honor that it’s okay to move a little less or need something different right now.

✨

Your turn: Any tips of your own for making working out at home suck a little less?