When this pandemic happened, most people had to figure out how to exercise without a gym.
You would think it was pretty easy right…
Do a few squats…walk or run around your neighborhood…do a pushup challenge…
But for some people, the concept of working out at home was something very foreign to them—and they don’t know where to begin.
Does this sound familiar?
If you’re thinking about starting an at-home workout, and don’t know where to begin, here are 5 things you should consider before starting out:
1. Assess Your Health
No matter if you went to the gym regularly…or you’ve never exercised before…it’s important to know where your health stands before starting or resuming a workout.
Your health changes all the time, so you need to be sure that you’re healthy enough to start exercising again. A quick visit to your doctor for a routine physical can help assess if you’re healthy enough to start exercising.
Once you’re cleared, it’s time to get down to business.
2. Set Your Goals
Whether you want to lose weight or get stronger, you need to set goals before starting out. Having a clear goal set ahead of time can make it easier for you to develop a plan to accomplish your goals. Make sure they are realistic and measurable, so you can track your progress along the way.
3. Fix Your Nutrition
If your diet isn’t the best, then you want to take the time to get your nutrition on the right path if you want to see results. Having a solid nutrition plan can enable you to reach your goals faster. If your current diet needs work…start by making small changes, and gradually add in more as time goes on. Eating healthy takes time and dedication. But if you can change your diet, it will make reaching your goals easier.
4. Work Out With Someone
There’s a good chance you’re going to lose motivation along the way. After all, if you stop seeing results, it can be a deterrent to working out. This is why you should workout with someone, or hire a coach to keep you motivated. Not only can they provide tips and tricks for staying motivated, they will also hold you accountable each session. You can’t lose motivation when you’re being pushed by someone else.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
When you exercise, you sweat. And when you sweat, you could lose electrolytes and water, which could leave you dehydrated. When working out, you need to be sure you’re drinking enough water to prevent dehydration from creeping in. How much is acceptable? The general rule of thumb is half your body weight in ounces. And if you’re working out, it should be more.
If you’re just starting out, or you’re resuming a workout from home, be sure you’re following these 5 tips. Not only will you make smarter decisions on how to approach your workout, these tips may also keep you moving forward—instead of going backwards.
Your friend and trainer,
Paul F Sweatt
Train Smart. Train Hard. Train Safe. Train to Sweatt.