How to Get the Most Out of Home Exercising

When at home, it can be tricky to get the most out of home exercising.

The motivation and focus provided by a class-setting and instructor are incredibly difficult to replicate in the home, where the drive and determination must come from the individual. Expert guidance can also ensure the exercises, and moves within them, are completed efficiently and effectively.

When that help and support aren’t available, we can offer some helpful hints and tips to keep you on track, maintain motivation and that all-important desire to exercise. Here's how to get the most out of home exercising:

Maintain a routine to make it part of your weekly plans

By bedding a number of sessions into your weekly plans, they will become commonplace so the initial hurdle of getting motivated isn’t anywhere near as steep if done on a regular basis. This routine will help to provide structure and will soon become a welcome alternative option, particularly if you’re working from home.

Stretching if you’re presented with aches and pains in certain areas

Aches and pains during exercise are your body’s way of highlighting an impending issue. It is not expected that you should feel like this while exercising. With this in mind, stretching the affected area could help alleviate those pressure points. It is hugely important to stretch before and after exercise, to help warm-up and warm down the muscles involved in the exercise you are doing.

If you are looking for suitable warm-ups, take a look at our YouTube channel which provides a variety of options.

Aim for some strengthening exercise, some cardiovascular and some balance work

A variety of exercise types can help provide numerous benefits to your health, as well as helping you to lose weight and improve wellbeing. Focusing on one element will only aid that single part of you. Variety in your approach will also keep motivation and interest levels high.

Doing something is always better than doing nothing, even if it’s not what you’re used to

The more you exercise, the greater the positive impact on your health. But doing something is always better than doing nothing. Trying to maintain some form of exercise regularly will help to achieve your goals. The more you put in, the more you will get out. This is just part of a wider picture, with some useful ideas on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle during lockdown available here.

There are lots of options out there to help you get the most out of home exercising

The internet is a rich source of exercise videos, ranging in intensity and content. We’ve compiled a list to help you:

Onhealth – Our YouTube channel has a range of short exercise videos that you can mix and match to make up your own work-out. We also have warm-up videos too, to prepare you fully for your session. We’ve also got a recorded pilates session, led by our physio Lucy, should you be looking for some variety.

NHS – There is a useful section that provides videos for a range of intensity levels and types. Aerobic, strength and resistance, yoga and pilates and other fitness plans are available, with expert instructors hosting.

Joe Wicks – The fitness instructor has catapulted to fame with his daily P.E. sessions for kids during lockdown. But he also does a range of other sessions which could help add variety to your routines.

Yoga with Adriene – If you are wanting to put some variation into your routines, then yoga may be an option. Yoga with Adriene has plenty of options depending on your level of experience.