Skip the gym membership: here's 10 ways you can workout at home
These are my favourite at-home workouts
Staying active is an important part of my weekly routine to feel good. But it’s that dreaded time of year again when gym memberships come callin’, and frankly, I’m not that interested.
I’ve not had a gym membership for years, and when I did, I never really used it. During this time, I’ve made it my mission to utilise free ways to work out at home. Not only are they super fun, but they’re convenient and have given me lasting results.
1. Walking pad
This is by far one of my favourite workouts that I do at home. After I purchased a walking pad to find out if they are really worth it, I’ve been using it almost every day. It’s fantastic to hit my 10k step goal, and it has significantly increased my everyday activity levels and cardiovascular fitness.
My walking pad cost me £180, so it’s not super affordable. That said, a gym membership will likely cost anywhere from £20 to £70 a month – that’s £240-£840 a year. A lot of money in comparison to a one-off purchase of £180.
2. Dance workout
Cardio is important, but who says it has to be boring? There are a variety of fitness YouTubers who have super fun dance workouts that you can do without spending a single penny.
Some great ones that I’ve tried out include dance workouts by MadFit, Growwithjo, and The Fitness Marshall. Alternatively, you can also find Just Dance routines on YouTube, which are perfect for a bit of nostalgia.
3. Badminton
Last year, I found an old badminton net and rackets left behind our shed. This started a nightly tradition during the summer months of badminton tournaments with my partner.
Not only did it keep me fit, but I barely even realised that I was exercising at all because it was so much fun. I’d never played before, and I really enjoyed learning a new skill. If you’ve got a garden, it’s definitely worth buying an affordable badminton set to have a go.
4. AMRAP
AMRAP stands for as many rounds as possible, so it’s effectively like circuit training. The thing with AMRAP is that you don’t need any equipment at all, which makes it an affordable way to work out from home.
Pick a few exercises, like crunches, leg raises, squats, and push-ups, set yourself a timer, and do as many rounds as possible in that time. If you do this weekly, you’ll quickly start to see the results.
5. Pilates
Pilates is fantastic for targeting muscles that can sometimes be a little hard to engage during other types of workouts. Pilates works on a combination of strength and flexibility and consists of low-impact, slow, controlled movements.
There are tons of pilates classes on YouTube. My personal favourite is Isa Welly, who has a whole range of beginner and intermediate classes. Grab your mat and follow along.
6. Body Sculpt Workout
Gone are the days when you need a gym to lift weights. There are tons of YouTube toning and sculpting workouts to do from home. All you’ll need is a pair of dumbbells to get started (or even a tin of beans).
Strength training is great for maintaining and building muscle in your body. It supports your bones and boosts your metabolism, too. I love tracking my progress.
7. Walking workout
Combine walking with dancing, and you’ve got yourself a fun, low-impact workout option. On YouTube, you can find a fantastic variety of walking workouts that you can stick on the TV and follow.
Some great ones that I’ve tried out are workouts by Get Fit With Rick and Growwithjo.
8. Yoga
Yoga is a brilliant way to move your body mindfully. It improves your strength, flexibility, and balance, which are important factors as you grow older.
Previously, we’ve covered some of the best, free yoga apps that you’re sure to love. Alternatively, YouTube hosts a fantastic selection of yoga workouts that you can access for free. Yoga With Adrienne is a great channel to try.
9. Hiking
This is something I’ve rediscovered lately, and it’s one of the best activities for a Sunday morning. If, like me, you’re motivated to hit your step goal while exploring new places, then I cannot recommend hiking enough.
Download the AllTrails app for free - it’s a fantastic way to discover new trails local to you, track the trail (so you don’t get lost), and get information about the trail conditions, length, time, and difficulty.
Alternatively, we have an entire article on the best UK walking spots. If you want to up the intensity, try wearing a weighted vest to burn more calories.
10. Cleaning is cardio
Two birds with one stone is truly the way to go. Cleaning can be such a chore, but it needs to be done (kind of like exercise, eh?). I always used to hate the idea of wasting an entire morning doing chores.
Now, I treat it like a workout, and it’s much more fun. I put my workout set on, whack my headphones in and go. You’d be surprised how much you’ll get done, and how many steps you’ll do, too.
