Due to the effects of the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, many people had no choice but to stay indoors and limit their activities outside. Regular routines such as going to the gym to work out or running within the neighborhood in the morning were considered as health risks. Thus, it was prohibited in many areas and forced many individuals to find a way to still exercise at home.
Staying at home all the time can make a person feel lazy to get up and work out. However, it’s vital that you still perform some exercise to keep your body in good shape. If you feel bored doing the same routine at home, you can try these exercises instead.
1. Indoor Cycling
If you only have room to install one or two workout machines, you should purchase a stationary bike and try indoor cycling. It’s a good workout that can improve your cardiovascular performance and also help tone your muscles. But before purchasing your equipment, be sure to read spin bike reviews and evaluate your current fitness level so you can get one that’ll suit your needs.
You may think cycling is boring since it’s a stationary activity that doesn’t have many variations. It can also feel repetitive, especially when you’re doing it at home all the time. However, there are programs you can incorporate into your cycling routine to make it more interesting. Following a music-based workout session or increasing the intensity of your exercise will ensure that your body will constantly be challenged even when you’re performing the same form of movement.
2. Yoga
Staying at home all the time may sound like a dream, but it can also become a source of fatigue if it causes you to feel bored or unproductive. Exercise is an excellent remedy to alleviate your mood and lessen the stress on your mind and body. If you’re searching for an effective workout to unwind, you should try yoga.
Yoga is a low-intensity workout that utilizes various breathing techniques to release tension and target specific muscle groups in the body. It’s a combination of meditation and bodyweight movements which is perfect if you want a holistic activity to keep your body healthy. If you’re not familiar with this fitness regimen, you can start with an easy 30-minute routine in the morning until you get used to it. Once you feel that the intensity of your workout is too easy, you can switch to a one-hour routine with more challenging poses and moves.
3. Barre
Barre is a workout trend that has gotten more popular in recent years. It’s a form of exercise that incorporates ballet movements and the use of the barre for a total body workout. Many people assume that only those with flexible bodies or dance experience can perform this fitness practice. However, this is suitable even for beginners and can be done at home.
You can improve your cardiovascular endurance, balance, and flexibility through this workout. And if you need a little motivation to get moving at home, you can exercise while listening to music or following an instructional video. You can use some of the items in your home like a chair or table to help you control your balance while performing a routine, which means you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your workout equipment.
4. Jumping Rope
If you’re searching for an effective cardio workout, then you should consider jumping rope. This exercise is more than a childhood activity that kids enjoy outdoors. It’s also an effective workout that gets your heart pumping while toning the muscles all over your body.
Although it seems simple, you can combine jumping rope with other indoor workouts like high-intensity interval training or bodyweight training. There are also variations in jumping rope, which can challenge you and keep you striving to improve.
The only thing you need for this exercise is a sturdy jump rope and a space at home where you won’t knock off anything. If you want to feel more challenged, you can purchase a weighted rope instead of a normal one.
5. Dance
The advantage of exercising indoors is that there won’t be anyone around to judge you. It’s easy to feel intimidated by other people when you’re at the gym, and you don’t have any idea how to use the equipment available. You can’t go all out or even enjoy your gym sessions since you’re too conscious about other people seeing you. The good thing about working indoors is that you can simply feel at ease and exercise at your own pace without worrying about bothering others.
If you want a type of exercise that doesn’t feel like one, try dancing at home. It’s so easy since all you need is a good playlist and some dance steps to get started. You can also try dance-inspired exercises like Zumba if you need a guide in doing dance movements.
Final Thoughts
Working out indoors doesn’t have to be boring. There are many types of fitness routines you can do in the comfort of your own home without making you feel like what you’re doing is a chore. Activities like barre or indoor cycling are easy to do and don’t take up much space in your house. Incorporating music and going at your own pace can also be effective in keeping you engaged with your fitness routine.