If you’re opting to work out at home and don’t have a lot of space, you will want to optimize the space3 you do have. There might be a few different workouts you wish to incorporate to get the strength, balance, and flexibility. You probably don’t want a lot of equipment in the space so you’re free to move around. There are ways you can maximize your space and workout at the same time. Whether you’re working with kettlebells, practicing yoga, or lifting weights, there are ways you can make the most of your work out space.
A Space for Inspiration
Where you decide to work out may have a lot to do with how motivated and inspired you are to actually do it. You don’t want to be stuck in a hot, stagnant space with no lighting that feels small. Surround yourself with some light so you look forward to being in it. You might want an inspiring picture on the wall or perhaps a motivational corkboard on the wall. These little details are up to you. If you do have to go into the basement to get the space and privacy you want, make sure you put in bright white bulbs at least. If you paint the space with bright, vibrant colors, you will become energized in the space. Even in the darkest days of winter, you’ll love going into your work out space.
Allow Variety and Make the Space for the Tools to Do it
If you’re creating a space in your home to work out, you have to consider where you’ll put all of your workout equipment. You want to make sure there’s not too much clutter. Stretching and strength training props like yoga mats, elastic bands, and jump ropes take up way less space than say a treadmill. You still get in your cardio and stretching but with way less space used up. If you’re doing any circuit training, you can cut out free weights and use dumbbells instead. Many times using your own body weight makes for one of the most intense and precise anaerobic workouts.
Get a Mirror
Not only will a large mirror on the wall make your space seem way bigger, it will also help you to see how you’re holding your body. When you do squats, Downward Facing Dog, or even dumbbell curls, you may not be in proper alignment. Sometimes a mirror can help you find the right alignment to start doing the exercise properly. This will increase the benefits of whatever pose or workout you’re doing because you’re maximizing the practice.
You’ll perform your workouts better and you’ll feel a greater sense of spaciousness in your workout zone. The light that exists in the room will bounce through the mirror. You can even situate it so that the nature outside reflects into it. This creates a beautiful space.
Put Down Floor Protection
You protect your own joints as well as your floors with matting beneath your workout. If you do yoga, it’s way easier to have a yoga mat beneath you to prevent slipping. If you are skipping rope or otherwise jumping around, you’ll want to protect your floors. You may want to invest in some interlocking foam mats or rubber mats. This will muffle the sound as well if you’re over other floors. It’s a good investment and helps you save your joints as well as your floors.
Small Tools for Maximum Workouts
Things like resistance band training can really save you a lot of space. They are small and yet offer you versatility in your workouts. The bands are useful for strength training and create that extra resistance to make your workout a hard one. They allow access to many of the muscle groups. You can attach the hooks over things to mimic shoulder exercises that you could do on a universal machine. You can also put them around your waist and step into the hooks for a hard-core leg workout. They store really well and take up almost no space. This is a great tool for your at home work out.
Create a Storage Space to Store Your Gear
Chances are you switch up your workouts from time to time. There’s no need to keep equipment in your space that you won’t be using on that day. This is why you should have some storage space to put your unused workout gear into. Keeping your space clear and free of clutter will make it feel more spacious. There are plenty of organizing storage solutions.
Incorporate Music into Your Workout
Put on some motivating music to help you with your workout motivation. It also drowns out whatever commotion is going on in your house. It’s been shown through studies that music helps with the serotonin and dopamine chemicals in the brain. They are responsible for making you happy and essentially giving you energy. This is a great way to maximize your workout.
Having a workout space at home is a great way to get your workouts in. While you may find that space is a challenge, hopefully, you found some of these tips to be useful in saving space. Make it inspirational; make it feel as big as possible with a few tricks like mirrors and storing things away. You’ll feel more inclined to get into your space and rock a workout if you created it with thought and intention.
Guest Blogger
Meera Watts can be reached at meerawatts@siddhiyoga.com or her website
