Baby, it’s cold outside, so how about a few simple exercises you can do at home without getting frostbite? With the gyms still closed across the country and people busy setting ‘unrealistic’ weight-loss goals, I thought I share some of the simple exercises you can do at home, these are the exercises I am currently doing and have been over the last couple of months. The secret to working out at home is spicing things up because let’s be honest, its gets boring pretty quick especially when you are low on motivation.
Going to the gym to exercise is something I have done for many years now until just before we went into the first lockdown. I am someone who prefer to workout in a group, working out alone I get bored and find myself cheating instead of doing the exercises right. But over the last year I found certain exercises that I can do at home, are not boring and are showing me results. Like last year, I am aiming to be healthier this year and focusing on the core health foundations that looking for ‘easy routes’ to lose weight fast.
As I mentioned the exercises I mention in this post are those that I am doing and have seen results.
Simple Exercises You Can Do At Home
When you are stuck at home and looking for things to do, exercising isn’t always at the forefront of people’s minds. I must admit, Netflix and popcorns are higher on my list than working out but since we are stuck indoors, we are moving about less but consuming more and this needs to change. I thought I share some of the simple exercises you can do at home that are both easy to do and are very effective and don’t worry, you will definitely break a sweat.
Working out at home doesn’t have to be so complicated, I think it’s important to get the technique right and perform the moves accurately. Often when I workout at home, I am looking for exercises that don’t last too long anywhere between 15-30 minutes is a good enough length to do a workout at home. When I visited the gym, we spent a number of hours working out but at home you just want something quick and simple but is effective and good for you.
Peloton (walking, yoga + pilates, cycling)
One of the best investments I made last year was purchasing my Peloton bike and getting a Peloton membership. I have always enjoyed spin classes but my current gym doesn’t offer those classes and there are not many places near me that do. I was very excited to finally get my hands on the Peloton bike and its truly changed my life. What I love about Peloton is the instructors are very vibrant and so is the community, I join both live classes and on-demand classes.
If cycling is not your thing, Peloton has other resources from yoga to strength classes, I do a lot of core/strength classes as well as yoga and recently I added their walking classes. Having someone talk to me (through the headphones) as I take a 20-30 minute walk around my neighbour is bliss, it gets me out of the house but also helps me workout. Peloton is now doing pilates which is another class that I always enjoyed and I love taking the live classes when I can.
Youtube (Abby Pollock, Chloe Ting, Yoga by Candace)
Even though I do some sort of Peloton every single day, I also incorporate that with some YouTube workouts which I absolutely love. I have 3 trainers that I follow on there and do some of their workouts when I want something different or something specific that I am after. I am sure everyone has heard of Chloe Ting, she does some really good classes, they start out simple enough until you find yourself in pain.
Yoga by Candace is someone I found when I was searching for simple yoga classes to help me sleep, as an insomniac I needed something relaxing to help me sleep. Since then I have done a few of her classes and absolutely love them, definitely recommend checking her out. Then Abby Pollock does the best 10-minute ‘whatever’ classes which I love because when I don’t have time for a full workout they are just the best.
Zoom or On-demand Classes
I am not sure about where you but most of our personal trainers from the gym have moved online since the lockdown and are providing classes online which is great. I love being able to do live classes online and though the atmosphere is not the same as when we are in the gym its good very good and interactive to do classes with people you know and will encourage you to workout better.
There are many on-demand services that you can check out and do in the comfort of your own home. Les Mills and Beach Body are some of the popular ones that I know and definitely recommend, there is always something for everyone on there. It is always good if you can link up with someone you know online and workout together, that’s always a good motivator. I am also participating in workout challenges so everyday I need to hit a certain goal.
Working out at home can be challenging not because you lack the equipment but most people prefer to workout with others instead of doing it alone. I am someone who prefers to workout in groups but I have found a great online community with Peloton that motivates me to get up and do ‘just one more’ exercise everyday and I feel great afterwards.
For those wanting to start working out at home but not sure where to begin, I would recommend starting with Youtube. Search for specific videos like 5-10 minute core classes and work from there, workout 3-4 times a work and plan your rest days as well. If you don’t have the right weights, I recommend using wine bottles or tin cans (with food in them) as use them as weights.
Are you doing any workouts at home?
Janeane Davis says
This post is full of great ideas. As the pandemic lasts longer, it is good to find ways to get in shape and stay physically fit at home.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Thank you for sharing this list of exercises. I am going to need them since going out is not really an option for now.
Nyxinked says
Great ideas! I highly recommend yoga as a great at home workout. Minimal space needed!
Savory Yum says
Thank for the reminder! I used to go to the gym 5x a week. I think I am going to check out the on-demand classes.
swathiiyer says
Thanks for sharing this I need to this as I can’t find time to go out for gym. Need to work at home.
Star Traci says
This is a truly diverse and helpful list. I’ve never been a gym goer but with Covid lockdown, I also have lost the activities I did for exercise, so I’ve been considering a workout program at home.
Kahty says
These are great ideas. My husband and I have some exercise equipment that we use. My favorite has always been the treadmill. I have always loved to walk.
Bolupe says
I am so interested in doing more exercises at home afterall, the gyms are closed. I have heard about Chloe Ting and her famous abs in 4 weeks programme on YouTube.
I need to check her out.
Nikki Wayne says
Thanks for recommending this channels. I love exercising with youtube videos. So convenient and almost free. Hehe
Nile Flores says
Nice share. I usually do my own floor exercise regimen that usually helps, plus a bit of lifting weights for my arms. I really don’t do yoga, but I do at least do a bit of warm up stretches.
Beth says
My son works out a lot (at home now) and he has favorite you tube trainers that have helped him keep motivated during the pandemic. Sometimes the rest of us join in, but not as often as we should.
bbaker8611 says
Great recommendations! I have been doing a lot of at home workouts! I just created an at home gym now and canceled my membership.
Miranda says
A lot of my friends have done the same and cancelled there memberships
monicasimpson28 says
Before the pandemic I was never motivated to work out at home. Now it’s all I do. I cancelled our gym memberhip.
Miranda says
I hear you, I was so lazy workout out at home but now, I have found ways that work for me
Marysa says
I have been working from home lately and these would be helpful in terms of having work breaks and being able to stretch in between.
Miranda says
That’s actually a very good idea in between breaks you do your 15 minute core or strength class
Lynndee says
Ii started doing yoga following videos online. I’m still an absolute beginner, but it wasn’t that hard.
Miranda says
I have been doing it for years and still feel like a beginner in every class
Heather Seeley says
Thank you for these recommendations. I am starting to work out more at home so this is perfect.
Miranda says
You are most welcome and good luck with your at home workouts
Nikki Wayne says
Youtube has always been my go-to whenever I can’t go outside to workout. Thanks for the tips.
Miranda says
You welcome, same for me before I got my peloton
Kate | Life of a Ginger says
These are great exercises. I’m not comfortable going to the gym yet.
Tasheena says
Thanks for sharing. I have to give these exercises a try.
Leelo says
I actually quite like working out at home, although, I have to admit that the last few years I have been lazy. I used to pilates at home and I have been thinking about starting it again.
Fiona says
Hi Miranda. I’m a yoga teacher and have been teaching my classes online for about 6 months now. There are definite advantages – for me and my students. I do a yoga class from YouTube most days myself, for variety, and my favourite channel is Bad Yogi. Worth checking out if you haven’t already 🙂 x
Ben says
These are awesome tips! This year has made it so scary to go anywhere, including the gym. I’ve been working out at home, and things have been getting stale.
Amber Myers says
I will have to do some of these for sure. I have been wanting to do more exercises.