Some find the gym intimidating, and others just don’t have the time to go to a facility; working out at home is a good alternative option.
Picture this: a fluorescent lit, overcrowded gym. The deafening sounds of obnoxious grunts, the clanking of overused ellipticals and tortuous EDM fills your ears. The stale smell of sweat and used tires makes it hard for you to breathe. Suddenly you’re overwhelmed by the judgment-filled gazes of your peers. You shrink into the ab crunch machine in attempt to shield yourself from their piercing stares. You ask yourself, “Why did I think it would be a good idea to go to the gym?”
Okay, so maybe the gym isn’t that bad. In my opinion, the gym might as well be synonymous with hell, but it’s truly not that bad. The first few agonizing moments of being there begin to fade once you begin your workout routine. But what if I told you that you never had to go again? What if I told you there were alternatives? Yes, you heard it here folks, there are exercise plans and regimens designed so you never have to step foot in a gym again.
Jen Glantz, blogger for Huffington Post outlines four easy steps to begin a customized, gym free workout plan. The first step is to download workout apps on your tablet or cellphone. Some popular exercise apps include Workout Trainer (free; Android, iOS), JEFIT (free; Android, iOS), Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App (free; Android, iOS), 7 Minute Workout: Fit Go Edition (free; iOS), FitStar (free; iOS) and Sworkit (free; Android, iOS). Many of these apps come with videos that you can watch and imitate while you work out. Some apps act like your very own personal trainer.
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The next step Glantz mentioned is to Google exactly what you want to learn to do. She said there are workouts you can do at home that take 15 minutes and will leave you adequately out of breath and as sore as you would be from the gym. Easy, at-home exercises include burpees, jumping lunges, jackknife crunches, lunges with reverse leg raises, jumping squats, pushups, side planks with leg raises, lateral jumps, mountain climbers and jumping jacks.
The third step to creating your new workout plan is use YouTube videos. In her blog post, Glantz talks about how Zumba and other classes offered at gyms and recreation facilities can be fun, but they are often times only offered at certain times and on certain days. There is also never enough space for everyone to move around. It can be very cramped and even dangerous. At home you can create enough space to do your exercises, and unlike real life, you can press the pause button when you need a break or an extra few seconds to mold your body into the position they are suggesting.
The fourth and final step is asking the person next to you. Ask your friends who want to get into shape to join you for a workout. Having someone to workout with is not only good motivation, but it also makes it more fun!
At-home workout regimens are not only fun and easy but also very effective and less stressful. However, if you don’t want to create your own workout plan there are plenty of pre-designed workout plans for grabs on social media. Pinterest and Instagram are filled with pictures outlining weekly exercise routines. There are also workout videos online that you can watch and follow along to in the comfort of your own home.
I began a workout regimen of my own this summer, and it really is a great way to get active. However, these exercises are not easy. They will challenge you and test the limits of your body, but you will end the exercise feeling accomplished and rejuvenated. The added bonus of doing it in a space that is comfortable and judgment free makes it all worth it.
Haadiza Ogwude is a sophomore studying journalism. What workout routines do you like to do at home? Tweet Haadiza @AdoreHaadiza or email her at ho299413@ohio.edu.
