How to Exercise in the Comfort of Your Own Home

Joining a gym isn't necessary to get into shape. Developing a home exercise routine saves money and time; best of all, you never have to wait your turn for the equipment. Exercising in the comfort of your own home is easy if you know how to maximize your workout.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Preparing Your Home

1. Determine your fitness goals. Your home workout routine will be different depending on if you want to focus on fat loss or toning muscle.
2. Decide on the equipment you want to use in your home. This can range from a simple jump rope to a home gym. Finances and space can play a large part in this decision. The key to success is finding something that fits your lifestyle and your budget.
3. Set aside time to workout. Even though you are exercising in your own home, you are more likely to stick to an exercise program if you follow a set schedule. The great thing about working out at home is that you can exercise when a gym would otherwise be closed.
4. Rearrange furniture to accommodate any exercise equipment or allow space for movement. Perfecting the moves from a workout video can be difficult if furniture restricts your movement. Similarly, a treadmill in the middle of the living room might not be a good idea if you plan on entertaining.

Begin Exercising

5. Work on technique. To get the most out of your workout, perfect your technique. Improper movements can lead to muscle strain and knee or back pain, especially when using weights.
6. Vary your home workout routine. Doing the same thing everyday can lead to a plateau. It's a good idea to add variety to your workout. This can be done by mixing in different workout videos, adding free weights to your cardio routine or simply adding a jump rope routine to the mix.
7. Hire a personal trainer. This is optional, of course, but working with a trainer can help with motivation and get you on the right track. Trainers can also show you a home exercise routine that you can do when they're not around.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest in a heart rate monitor. This device will often give you an accurate reading of how many calories you burn during your workout as well as keep you in your target heart rate zone.
• Don't forget to warm up and cool down before and after working out. Stretching increasing flexibility and reduces the risk of injury.