Have you decided to create a workout routine to do at home? Here are some steps to help you make the best home workout tailored to your time, space, and fitness goals.
Your exercise plan should include a variety of exercises. Cardio or aerobic exercises increase your heart rate and breathing. Anaerobic exercises work on building muscle strength.
You may wish to start your work out with some cardio to get your body warmed up. It is recommended that you finish with cardio movements as well. Plan on doing your work out 2 to 3 times a week.
Here is a sample cardio plan:
Jump squats, mountain climbers, and high knees
Start with one and do it for 20 seconds at full intensity
Rest for 60 seconds
Repeat the same exercise 3 or 4 times
Or, you can rotate between the 3 different exercises.
You may change it up on different days and walk or run for 15 to 30 minutes. Another option is to walk on the treadmill for 30 to 45 minutes.
These exercises use your body weight to perform the exercises without other equipment. This provides a total-body workout. Exercises include:
Squatting Pressing Rotating Planking Push-ups Lunging Pulling Pushing
Glute bridges High knee raises Jumping jacks Burpees Mountain climbers
These movement patterns reflect how our bodies move each day. These exercises can increase your heart rate which is great for your heart. You also increase core strength and balance.
It is important that you look online at videos to learn the proper way to do these exercises. Find out how long you should hold a pose or how many times you should do the exercise.
The term reps means how many repetitions of the exercise. Sets refers to the number of time you do the exercise.
There are many ways to adapt these exercises if you are not ready to do them full out. Online sites show lower level options for exercises. If you focus on doing the exercise the correct way, even if it means holding on to something, you will benefit.
Many body-weight exercises require pulling. You can buy pulling gym rings that can be installed to provide the resistance you need.
Many people find circuit-style workouts more fun. You move from one activity to the next which decreases the boredom factor.
Make a list of your favorite activities. Then put them in order. You may want to alternate cardio and anaerobic exercises or harder and easier.
Do each exercise for a certain time frame or the number of repetitions. Then rest for a certain time and then move to the next activity. Repeat the circuit until you reach your total work out time goal.
Here is a sample circuit to give you ideas:
Squats for 45 seconds 15-second rest
Alternating lateral lunges for 45 seconds 15-second rest
Jumping jacks or burpees for 45 seconds 15-second rest
Push-ups for 45 seconds 15-second rest
Glute bridges for 45 seconds 15-second rest Repeat 3 times
Remember to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout. You need to keep your body well hydrated.
All the exercises discussed build muscle strength. These anaerobic exercises focus more directly on muscle strength.
Push-ups. Many of us have difficulty doing a full push-up.
Start by doing elevated push-ups. Put your hands on a kitchen counter or other stable raised surface.
One Arm Row. This exercise works your back, shoulders, and arms. Focus on full extension and full retraction or pulling back of the arm.
It is important to perform the exercise the right way with proper resistance. Using too much resistance can cause improper movement of joints and muscles. This can negate your efforts or even cause injury.
Resistance bands can be used for this exercise. Wrap the resistance band around a stable vertical object.
Start with sets of 3 on each arm and do 3 to 5 reps.
Working on strengthening your abdomen, chest, back, hips, knees, and feet increases balance. As you get older, this becomes very important for decreasing fall injuries. Core strength is essential for all sports as well.
Examples of core exercises include:
Pilates. Here are 4 exercises to strengthen your abdomen, hips, shoulders, and back muscles:
Swan
Sidekick
Double leg stretch prep
Leg pull
Repeat exercised 3 times each week.
Balance board. These exercises help improve balance, equilibrium, and stability.
Start by holding onto a stable surface and step onto the board. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. First work on maintaining balance on the board for 2 minutes.
As you improve, try rocking side to side and front and back. Then, over time increase your speed and time spent on the balance board.