How to reach your fitness goals without an open gym.
The pandemic has limited the way we stay active outdoors and our motivation to stay fit, but taking time out of your day to stay active can actually reap great benefits.
When loungewear has become the acceptable thing to wear all day, working out can often be put on the back burner. Staying motivated looks different for everyone, but if you are looking to start a fitness journey in 2021, here are some tips.
The benefit of staying active
It can be hard to drag yourself to workout, but the benefits of exercise outway the negatives in many ways due to the effects on the body. For example, taking time out of your day for physical activity can boost your immune system.
“We do know that having elevated levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercising at moderate to vigorous intensity can improve immune responses to vaccination, reduce chronic low-grade inflammation and improve various immune markers in several disease states including cancer, HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment and obesity,” said health and fitness expert Pete Mcall.
Setting goals and creating a routine
Setting goals is crucial to motivation while on your fitness journey. Working out for weight loss or to blow off steam are ways to have fun while exercising. These goals cannot be unattainable. It’s important to be realistic.
“In general, you should be realistic about the workout program that [you] are about to embark on. A lot of people go all in, and they do something that is really not realistic for them to maintain,” said Deborah Diaz, a fitness trainer for over 17 years.
Diaz further explains the importance of how a good mindset will help one when setting goals.
“I always suggest that people start out with setting realistic fitness goals and exercise goals for themselves. Something that is a little bit challenging but that is attainable …if you go too big too soon, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
Goals that work for your body and your daily life can allow you to have a healthier relationship with fitness. Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. of Mayo Clinic talks about the benefits of working out 30 minutes a day.
“As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more,” he stated.
Creating a workout schedule can go a long way to help you stay on track, whether that means working out during the day or at night. Whether you decide to do a dedicated day for legs or just do a full day of yoga. Each type of workout comes with its own benefits. Keep in mind that a workout can be as simple as doing a morning stretch routine.
Buying new gear
Buying new workout gear is a significant way to get you excited about working out. Versatile equipment found at a low cost includes a set of resistance bands, a yoga block or a workout mat of any kind. Amazon and other low-cost retailers like Target, provide many accessible and active essentials that can motivate you towards working out.
Finding the right workout
Finding versatile workouts suitable for your body can positively affect your fitness mindset and spice up your daily routine. Exercises like pilates, weight training and Tabata workouts are all a click away on Youtube. Keep in mind to challenge yourself while trying these workouts because your body quickly adapts to the workout and it might get too easy.
A few YouTubers with challenging yet fun workouts include: Pamela Reif, Heather Robertson, Chloe Ting, Madfit, Popsugar Fitness and Move With Nicole, to name a few. Each of these content creators cater to their viewers’ individual needs by providing workouts ranging from easy to more difficult.
Having no gym available should not discourage you from reaching all your fitness goals in the new year. There are many avenues to explore to help keep you motivated.
In her parting words for those seeking to workout, Diaz states, “Health is wealth. You only have one body to live in. You can’t change it and can’t get a new one. You can kind of get it repaired, but it’s the only place you truly have to live. If you don’t make time for your health now you will be forced to make time later.”