We’ve all been there — you want to get active but you’re way too shy or embarrassed to join your local gym. Contrary to popular belief, this is a sentiment that is more common than you’d imagine, with studies finding that over 48% of adults experience some sort of fear and anxiety about going to a public gym. If you find yourself in this predicament, fret not because we’re here to save the day. Today, we look at our 6 favourite ways of getting fit indoors and in the comfort of your own home (not a gym in sight), so grab your exercise mat and read on to find out more!
Buy A Basic Weights Set
When it comes to investing in gym equipment, our suggestion is to keep it simple and invest in a simple set of weights. Adjustable weights in particular are perfect for newbies or anyone who wants to gradually increase strength as they allow you to make strength progressions at a rate more suited to your abilities. Some simple exercises that you can perform at home with a basic set of weights include the bench press, weighted lunges, bicep curls and goblet squats. Don’t forget to wear a decent pair of trainers and to use an exercise mat in order to ensure that you avoid slipping or injuring yourself.
Strike A Pose
Did you know that a single session of yoga burns anywhere between 180-460 calories depending on the intensity of your workout? Contrary to popular belief, practicing yoga is more than just a relaxing pastime. Yoga is a fantastic way of increasing flexibility, building muscle tone and improving metabolism. Some of the types of yoga for fitness include hot yoga, and Ashtanga yoga that are guaranteed to make you break a sweat. Thankfully, there are plenty of videos online that can help you get started on your yoga journey, so you don’t have to worry about joining a public class if you’re too shy!
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Okay, maybe you’d rather dance in the privacy of your own home, but we can’t ignore the numerous health benefits that dancing can bring to your life! The beauty about dancing is that there are so many varieties to choose from, ranging from bollywood dancing to hip hop and even bachata for those of us who enjoy indulging in some sensuality. You can burn up to 400 calories in just an hour of dancing, on top of strengthening your muscles and improving your overall cardiovascular fitness at the same time. So next time you’re keen for a workout, blast your favourite playlist and have a boogie in your living room!
Walk Around Your Local Mall
Who would have thought that shopping could help keep you fit and healthy? This one may be slightly dangerous for a shopaholic, but walking around your local mall for a couple of hours is one of the best ways to get your steps in and increase your aerobic fitness. Walking in the mall is also free (always a bonus), and allows you to exercise in a climate controlled environment that just happens to have restroom facilities, refreshments and your favourite stores all located within the same premises.
Take The Stairs
If you have regular access to stairs in your apartment building or at work, it’s time to make full use of that privilege! Did you know that a mere 5 minutes of stair climbing can burn up to 50 calories? That’s more calories burnt than jogging for the same amount of time. Climbing stairs also leads to better endurance, greater leg strength and can help you build that perfect perky bum that you’ve always dreamt of. Furthermore, stair climbing is a great way to strengthen your bones and joints that will help prevent injury when you’re in your golden years.
Clean That Damn House
If you’re anything like most of the human population, cleaning is probably pretty low on your list of priorities. We’re not going to give you a lecture about the importance of a clean and tidy home today — that’s for another day, but what we will let you in on is that cleaning can be one of the best forms of exercise that you can perform within the comforts of your own home. Cleaning provides a full body workout (thanks to all that vacuuming, window washing and bed making), and can burn over 200 calories per hour which in our opinion is pretty fantastic! So, if you were looking for a sign that you need to give your home a little TLC, this is it.
As you can see, exercise doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or require you to purchase an overpriced gym membership. By finding creative ways to get your blood flowing and your sweat pouring, we guarantee that you’ll never have to step foot in a gym ever again.