Authored by: Swiing, LLC - The Sports and Fitness Network
There are countless ways to be and stay active in sports and fitness — it is almost reprehensible for us not to have a routine that keeps our minds and bodies running optimally. In our article, “Get Out of the Stands,” we discussed sports and how to self-govern to become more competitive through great discipline. Play is how many people keep fit and live a life of activity at any age. In this article, we look at fitness not as just an ancillary means to sports but as another means to be active and how it can be cost-effective and convenient.
Post-pandemic new trends in fitness have developed that are here to stay, and for good reasons. One such trend that has enhanced the fitness industry is home-based workouts. Home-based workouts are increasingly more popular post-pandemic, and studies show trends that report positive results.
Positive Trends in the Efficacy of Home-based Workouts and Digital Home Exercises (DHE)
The British Journal of Sports Medicine, a leading peer-review and research journal in sports medicine, published a study on the impact of digital home exercise (DHE) during the pandemic, suggesting that DHE can enhance physical activity (PA).
The National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, performed a study focused on cardiometabolic health involving home-based training systems like NordicTrack. Although they cautioned that the efficacy of exercise training systems designed to be used at home on cardiometabolic outcomes remains largely unknown, their study also suggests that, when combined with diet, home-based training systems on selected cardiometabolic outcomes is another exercise training strategy that could potentially improve one’s health.
In addition, Health.com, a health and wellness website that provides information, resources, and tools to help people live healthier lives, says, “Home-based workouts can be a highly effective means to reach your fitness goals. With the right equipment and the right approach, you can lose weight without the expense and inconvenience of a gym.” 1
Based on these findings and common sense, it is ideal for maintaining an active life that we devise a home-based workout strategy.
Popular Home-Based Workout Strategies
To get you started, we have listed some of the most popular workout trends people are doing at home today. You may be doing one or several of these — develop a regular routine to achieve desired results.
· Bodyweight exercises: push-ups, squats, lunges, etc.
· Resistance band training
· Dumbbell workouts
· Yoga
· Dance
· Outdoor exercises like running, walking, and jogging, where nature provides all its glory, are practical and effective.
· Virtual fitness classes and DHE workouts are more popular since the increased use of fitness apps.
Pros of Home-based Workouts
· Convenience is the number one benefit of home-based workouts. However, do not leave convenience up to chance. Be disciplined and actively plan your workouts to avoid falling into poor routines, which lead to undesirable results.
· Home-based workouts can be very cost-effective. Basic equipment like resistance bands, dumbbells, and yoga mats can be purchased relatively cheaply. Visit our GO PLAY store at https://swiing.net to purchase affordable fitness equipment and fashions.
· Some people prefer privacy, which makes workouts at home ideal — free from worrying about what others may think.
· Home-based workouts can be flexible to fit your schedule and lifestyle. So, whether you have just a few minutes or an hour — find an exercise that works for you and work at your own pace but be intentional.
Cons of Home-based Workouts
Cons worth mentioning and some mindful tips on how to deal with these challenges include:
· The risk of poor form without correction, which may result in injury. Proper technique is essential to safety. Many free online videos teach proper technique in almost any fitness activity. Find a reputable source and follow them.
· Lack of motivation. Working out at home can be isolating, and challenging to stay motivated without the encouragement and support of someone.
o Finding a trainer that will come to your home will eliminate the need for a gym membership which may also be cost-effective while providing the motivation you need.
o Finding a workout buddy adds a level of security, safety, and the social element many of us desire when doing fitness activities.
· Distractions. Distractions are another factor one must consider when establishing home-based workout routines. Tackle this challenge with:
o Practice great discipline. It will show up in every part of your life.
o Also, consider outdoor exercises that take you away from everything and can be a time for great meditation and reflection.
In the gym or at home — fitness remains a priority that we all should not be willing to compromise. So, whether you play a sport, create a space in your home to conveniently and privately workout, or walk around the block, stay active. Finally, remember that your fitness goals will not come by chance — it requires deliberate effort, routine, and commitment.
Have fun, and GO PLAY!
Follow us on TikTok to see the many ways people are being active.
1Health, H. (2021, January 12). Home-based Workouts to Lose Weight. Health.com. https://www.health.com/fitness/home-based-workouts-to-lose-weight