Throughout COVID, home gyms—er, home fitness spaces—became a staple feature on most buyers’ checklists of must-haves. And they continue to be a top priority for many. However, we’ve found that many people struggle to find the space for a traditional gym, or, while they have the aspiration for a home gym and a healthy lifestyle, they lack the discipline to make it happen.
Accordingly, we turned to the expert to find out how to help homeowners create the right space and find the discipline to get fit at home. Dan Rogers, the owner of rxRecourse, is a close friend, client, and entrepreneur who was happy to help. We’ll let Dan take over this blog from here …
Do you want to be fit!? Have a space in your home for fitness?!
That is good. Being active, moving, exercising, and having healthy habits are good. But maybe you don’t have space, or the space you once thought would be good for personal fitness while you were temporarily motivated is now where you hang clothes to dry.
Sound familiar?
So what changes? How do we get those once excellent intentions back on track and heading in the right direction?
Here are a couple of tips for helping to create (and USE) a home fitness gym:
What to Call Your Home Gym
Do not call it a gym! The word “gym” has a lot of negative connotations. Call it something else. Get creative with words like my Fitness Space, Happy Room, Personal Growth Location, or something more creative and fun that attracts you to that space rather than boring old “Gym.”
Less is More When Getting Started Working Out at Home
Keep it simple. We’re not training to be Olympians; we’re trying to be healthier, happier and fit. Less is more when it comes to how much equipment you have, space you have, and the amount of time you use it.
I once had a client for over three years who simply had bands, light dumbbells, and a flat bench. This was all within an eight by eight-foot space, and he worked out two to three times a week for thirty minutes while filling some of the off-time with walks. He’s probably much like you, a busy man with a full-time job, kids and more –a normal human being who’s trying to be healthier, happier and more fit while making it work with his lifestyle.
Don’t Overthink Your Fitness Goals
Expectations—we all have them. Some are valid, and some are unrealistic and overrated. This often results in you getting overwhelmed and never getting started.
Common Myths About Excercise
Between the internet and social media, there’s a lot of false information floating around, so it’s no wonder people get overwhelmed and intimidated when it comes to beginning the journey of getting fit and healthy. Here are some common debunked myths:
- You have to lift weights every day
- Your workouts must be intense
- You need to get a sculpted physique
- You have to have perfect weeks
- Working out is primarily for looking good
- You have to exercise for at least sixty minutes
- I should do my workout before 6 a.m. every day, or else I am lazy
- The list could go on forever …
In reality, some form of resistance training two to three times a week is plenty, and intensity is relative. WHY we exercise varies, too, and a perfect week does not exist. I work out for mental health and many other reasons; plus, yes, I like the way I look. Fifteen to forty minutes is better than zero minutes, and 5 minutes is better than zero minutes. Exercise when it works for your schedule, whether at 6 a.m. or some other time.
How to Get Started Working Out
- Accountability – Tell a family member or friend your intentions and include them.
- Throw stuff out that you are not using to clear up space
- Ask for help.
- Get out of your head and understand that it doesn’t have to be perfect to get started; you just need to start.
- Focus on how GOOD it will feel to have a home space for mental health and personal fitness.
- Schedule time to clean the space, organize your stuff, rename the space, craft a light plan but mainly, DO SOMETHING, anything, to get over the hump of having to subscribe to a perfect program in a perfect setting. It is not real. Just get moving with your favourite music.
I have been in the fitness industry for over 15 years and have close to 30,000 hours of coaching experience; I can confidently say that Accountability Coaching works. If you lack the drive and discipline, hire a fitness and health coach to get you on the right track.
There you have it! Get out there and buy equipment, create a basic, sustainable plan, and start.
Thank you for reading this, and remember, life is a journey; enjoy the ride.
Get started with Coach Dan by CLICKING HERE
