Home Workouts for the Win!
These are bizarre times to say the least and for most of us, our regular routines have completely gone out the window. Gyms and fitness studios are closed and if we want to stick to our workout routines we have to be flexible and get creative.
Moderate exercise has been shown to increase immunity and reduce incidences of upper-respiratory illness, so exercise is an important tool to support your body’s ability to fight infection. I also know from personal experience that exercise is crucial for mental health, and studies show that physical exercise boosts the mood and reduces anxiety and depression. Since we are experiencing so much anxiety over the unknown coupled with being cooped up in our homes right now, finding ways to incorporate exercise may be challenging, but is of utmost importance.
I’ve been working out at home for years now. I go to Orangetheory classes a couple times a week to get out of the house and to force myself to do cardio, but the bulk of my workouts happen in my home gym. We are lucky enough to have a spare bedroom that we use as a gym/home office and we’ve been acquiring equipment slowly over the years, but I know that many of you may have very limited space and/or funds for equipment so I’m sharing options that you can do with little to no space and/or money.
Many on demand and online fitness companies and fitness apps are available for free or are offering extended free trials right now, so it’s a great time to take advantage of that. I encourage you to try different things until you find something that you really enjoy and look forward to because exercise should be fun! It’s should be “you time” that is all about you feeling good, feeling strong, feeling empowered. What it should not be is a chore that you dread having to do because if it is, you won’t stick with it. Our bodies are designed to move, so once you start doing it consistently, the more you’ll crave it (it’s just like nutritious food).
So here goes, a list of my favorite at-home workout options*. I know there are a thousand options out there, so please share in the comments if you have one you love or want to share that I missed here. Same goes for equipment, especially if you have an affordable tool that you’ve found helpful. Stay strong everybody, and keep moving!
*I have included a couple affiliate links here for Les Mills On Demand and Obé Fitness, but these simply give you access to a longer free trial or discounted membership. I do not receive incentives or commissions from any of the recommended companies or products below.
Good on demand/streaming workout options:
Les Mills On Demand - My personal favorite and by far the winner in the fun factor category! Click Redeem Promo Code and enter code zoneobstacle99
Beachbody On Demand - My 2nd personal favorite! I love the 60 and 90-day programs and zero guesswork.
Obé Fitness - Use code FRIEND30 for 30% off your first month after the free trial.
Fitness app options:
Pretty much all of the above are available in app format for your phone or tablet.
Other Cool Options:
ClassPass has temporarily stopped charging people for their memberships but they are still offering free workouts within the app :-). Hooray ClassPass!
Charity Miles - Walk, run, bike for the cause of your choice.
Good Equipment Options & Resources:
Resistance Tubing
This set includes 5 bands, a door attachment and ankle straps.
These ones on Beachbody come in standard, super and extreme options.
Resistance Bands/Loops
Weights
Other Equipment
Yoga Mat - Prana makes my favorite ones.
Yoga Blocks - I like the eco-friendly ones by Manduka.
The Mirror - This is a relatively new player on the scene and I haven’t tried it out, but it looks promising (and pricey).
