Four Effective Workouts You Can Do At Home

It’s a fact. Being active on a regular basis is essential to a physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy lifestyle. But think you need to hit the gym or purchase expensive exercise equipment to get in an effective workout? No way! Most of us already have all that we need to get a heart-pumping workout right in the comfort of our own home.

So maximize your time and effort by trying one of our favorite at-home workouts below. Even if you do have a gym membership, try one of our options below the next time you just don’t want to leave the house or when you’re short on time.

Indoor Cardio

When it’s too hot, too cold, or too wet outside to get a walk or a run in, take your cardio indoors. Think that’s not possible? Think again!

If you own a jump rope, you can get your heart pumping in just a couple of minutes. In fact, jumping rope is one of the most effective forms of cardio you can do. An added benefit of jumping rope is that you are strengthening your muscles from head to toe. Everything from your calves, hamstrings, quads, core, and shoulders are all being utilized in the jumping and swinging motions.

If you don’t own a jump rope or simply prefer an equipment-free option, marching in place can be just as effective as taking a walk outdoors. Really! Did you know that you burn 30% more calories standing than sitting? That means marching in place, even during commercials of your favorite tv show, can burn serious calories if done over the course of 30 minutes to an hour or longer. Adding in arm circles, arm movements, or occasional squats as you march will burn even more, so get moving! This is the easiest way to burn extra calories without a ton of extra effort.

High Intensity Interval Training

If you’re looking for more of a challenge within a shorter time frame, try a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) circuit! You can accomplish this by performing a few bodyweight-only plyometric exercises back to back.

This method of training is one of the most efficient, as most HIIT workouts last no longer than 10-30 minutes total, and can burn as much as 25-30% more calories than other forms of exercise. Burning more calories in less time? Yes, please!

For a short, yet intense, 15-minute HIIT workout, click here. Try doing this routine just three times per week. This workout will not only get you sweating but will aid in weight loss, if that is your goal, and speed up your metabolism. Win, win!

Low Impact Strength Training

If you’re looking for an option that’s a little easier on your joints, try a bodyweight-only strength workout. You’ll increase strength and balance, without the hassle of extra equipment, using the one tool you already have — your body! 

There are plenty of exercises you can do that use your own body as resistance. You’re probably thinking of old-school push-ups and sit-ups, but we’re here to tell you that there are a plethora of more physically challenging exercises out there to keep your workouts fun and exciting.

This effective low-impact strength workout is designed to challenge every muscle in your body while keeping the strain and stress on your joints minimal. Work through this circuit once through, and then try repeating it one to three more times for a full body blast.

Online Fitness Classes

Maybe you’re looking for more of a guided workout, so you can just press play and let your body do the work. We’ve collected a few options below that are perfect for those times when you want to get a sweat in without using any more brain power than you have to.

Nike Training Club

If you’re looking for an app to help you get stronger, Nike Training Club is the app for you! The free version of the app offers over 100 different workouts for you to mix and match throughout your week. We recommend casting your workouts to a Smart TV to harken back to fitness DVDs. You’ll never get bored with the wide variety of workouts Nike offers.

Yoga With Adriene

If you want to improve your flexibility or simply want a low-key way to tone and stretch out your body at the beginning of the day or after a long day’s work, check out Yoga With Adriene’s YouTube channel. You’ll find tons of free yoga workouts, whether you’re new to yoga, experienced in the practice, or simply want stress relief or guided routines to ease muscle tension. 

Fitness Blender

For one of the largest libraries we’ve seen of easy-to-follow workouts, check out Fitness Blender. Their YouTube channel offers over 600 workouts ranging from body-part specific routines to full-body, HIIT, strength, and cardio workouts. Simply put on your favorite tunes, and hit play. Or create your own playlist of a few shorter videos and get sweating!

Whether you’re feeling burned out on the same old at-home workouts, or want to move your workouts indoors for easier accessibility, we’ve got you covered. No more worrying about having enough time when you can get a good workout from home, am I right?

Get sweating. Keep Groovin’.