With most of the world in self-isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are wondering how to stay physically active. Both good for the body and mind, exercising at home is an excellent way to stay in shape and maintain an active lifestyle during these troubling times. While it’s okay to go outside for a walk or a run, some people may not feel comfortable doing that or need strength training as well. This calls for creative measures and finding ways to improvise a mini gym in quarantine.
Although having a personal gym sounds like something requiring a lot of space, it’s not the case. There are ways to get the most from your in-home exercise with just a few hacks and maintain (or start with) your healthy habits. Here are some ideas you can use to treat yourself with the best possible gym during the pandemic.
Set an ideal space for your mini-gym
Even the smallest of places can have an in-home mini gym if you organize the space wisely. Start by choosing the right spot which can be a corner in your bedroom or the whole attic. Make sure it’s the area you can have enough room to do the exercises you want with enough ventilation.
Natural light is perfect for exercising, but if you opt to turn your basement into a gym, this may be something you will be missing from your workout routine. To compensate, install lights that offer great visibility and will boost your energy levels, just like sunlight. The most important rule is to never buy any equipment until you are sure where to build your mini gym. This can save you from spending money on gear that you may not be able to use due to a lack of space.
Install a hanging organizer
To make the space tidy at all times, even during the workout, you need to make sure that that your gear is out of the way. The easiest way to do this is to install hangers on the wall and let your resistance bends and towels tangle from there. During the workout, you need to have your gear close by so you can switch between them without taking big breaks.
If your equipment is scattered around, you will have trouble finding what you need or it may be in your way during exercising. Hanging organizer is a practical solution you can use to hang your sweatshirt and towels so they are not thrown on the furniture or floors for sanitary reasons. Exercise space organization can inspire you to stay on track with your workout routine and prevent clutter along the way.
Create a workout schedule
Starting a mini gym in quarantine is not as effective without a plan. Spending too much time inside can affect your energy levels and ruin your enthusiasm to exercise. This is normal and not too hard to overcome with a functional workout schedule.
Use a whiteboard, corkboard, or just tape a big piece of paper on the wall to serve as you work out planner. Create a table using days for cells living enough room to write down what you have planned for that specific date. If you are a beginner, this is a great way to increase your exercise intensity and track your results. Moreover, marking days as done can encourage you to try harder and stay on schedule even after the pandemic.
Inspire yourself
Self-isolation can make you feel down and blue since you are staying away from your loved ones, as well as other people, for days. Because of this, you may lack the inspiration to get up from the couch and start moving more. One of the ways to encourage yourself to use your in-home mini-gym is to behave as though you are going to the real one.
This means that putting on workout clothes and footwear is mandatory, as well as cleaning the equipment afterward. Gadgets, like Bluetooth headphones and exercise trackers, are useful tools to help you concentrate on your workout and inspired yourself to push harder.
Opt for weights
With so many options of weights out there, you will have no problem finding the perfect one to improvise a mini gym in quarantine. To find your ideal weights, pay attention to the types of exercises you will perform and your body size. If you go for too heavy, you can injure yourself, but going for small weight may not have any effect on your effort to tone and define muscles.
If you are unsure which ones to choose or want to cover all the bases right from the start, opt for adjusted weights. They include different weight sets you can switch easily based on the exercise type and your endurance. Most of all, they are less likely to cause clutter so you can store them more easily than separate dumbbells and other weight gear.
Try the resistance bands
Resistance bands are trendy right now because they are perfect for people with small homes who want to get the most out of their workout. They offer a variety of exercise options including the full-body workout to lose weight, improve cardio, and tone your physique. The whole idea is to use your body’s resistance as a tool for burning calories and strengthening the muscles.
These bands come in different resistance ranges you can use for various parts of your body, depending on what you want to achieve. Often they are suggested as a means to recover from injuries and regaining movement in that part of the body. Moreover, they are so small that you can keep them under the coffee table, or in a small box until the next use.
Get your daily cardio with a skipping rope
Cardio is an important part of a workout routine but not always easy to execute in enclosed spaces. Since buying a treadmill and similar equipment may be too expensive and requires lots of room, you can try some old-school solutions. One of those is a skipping rope you can use anywhere in the house and outside, even on the balcony.
This type of workout will help you get the blood flowing and have you burn a lot of calories after only a dozen jumps. The best of all, it’s not an expensive gear to have so you can spend less on cardio and still gain maximum results. Just remember to start it slowly in the beginning, especially if you are not used to jumping to avoid tripping and falling.
Make your mini gym safe
If you want to have an efficient mini gym, you need to think about safety. Slippery floors are dangerous and can lead to serious injury needing you to go to ER — something you want to avoid during a pandemic. Putting anti slip tape is one of the easiest and cost-affordable ways to create a safe area to exercise at your home.
You don’t even need a professional to install it since it’s so simple to turn it into a quick DIY project. Apply anti-slip tape on the cleaned and dried floor using the adhesive side and then use the roller tool to flat it out as much as possible. While yoga mat is great for exercises you perform lying down, the anti-slip tape can give you a stable and safe environment for the anaerobic and weight-lifting workout.
Get a personal trainer
Outside of pandemic, getting a personal trainer means having a professional instructor by your side watching your every move, and pushing you to work out harder. During the pandemic, however, this still follows the same principles with a twist. For example, you can order workout DVDs online and have them delivered to your home.
Additionally, there is an option to join an online course and get your workout plan from some of the fitness portals through an app. Since many fitness instructors and programs recognize the need for physical activity, you can find an impressive number of them on discount or even for free. Working out at home is an excellent way to try different exercises and see which one fits you the best. That way, not only will you stay in good shape but also know what membership to buy once the pandemic is over.
Lastly
Having a mini gym in quarantine is not impossible, and you can have it with minimal investment, as well. Start creating one by designating a perfect spot in your house to workout and turning it into a fitness-friendly space. With some safety precautions, anti-clutter solutions, the right equipment, and a schedule, you can help your body and mind to stay strong and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember to take it one step at the time, and soon enough you will be working out as though training in the real gym.
Lena Hemsworth is a lifestyle blogger, foodie, and lover of a good book. She’s an everlasting enthusiast who believes that there is nothing better than starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.
