3 minute read

A Guide To Staying Fit When The Gym Feels Too Far

A gym membership does not need to be your saving grace after the New Year. A workout from the comfort of your own home may prove to be more beneficial for your fitness goals than a hub of muscle men and sweaty machines.

By Dylan Bowman

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Distance, motivation, anxiety. There are many valid reasons not to work out in a public gym, however, this should not prevent you from enjoying fitness and receiving all the health benefits that come with it. Many Temple students have taken it upon themselves to implement at-home workout routines into their busy schedules.

“My workouts take about 30 to 40 minutes to complete and I barely use any equipment, just a pair of adjustable dumbbells I got off amazon,” says Alex Harvey, a senior computer science major.

Here is Alex’s favorite dumbbell circuit to do at home:

• Bicep Curls: 15 reps (each arm)

• Lunges: 15 reps (each leg)

• Shoulder Press: 15 reps

• Goblet Squat: 15 reps

• Push-ups: 20 reps

Rest for one minute after each set and repeat every exercise three times.

“It was really hard at first to get the motivation, but as I continued and saw progress in myself it got easier and easier and I became more motivated,” added Harvey. “Everyone is different and has different fitness goals, but there is something for everyone.”

The hardest part about working out is starting, but there are countless workout routines that are easily accessible online for beginners that make use of body weight exercises. Websites such as healthline.com, self. com, and even Pinterest make for excellent resources when drafting up a routine.

“Once I am done with my at-home workouts I feel so, so much better and much more willing to do things!” says Carol De Souza, a sophomore architecture major. When done regularly, exercise can boost dopamine production and lower anxiety in the short and long term.

De Souza loves that she can be herself during at-home workouts and does not have to worry about anyone else.

“It is so hard to choose my favorite at-home workout. Normally when I work out at home I like to do those HIIT dance workout videos from Youtube because at the gym I am definitely not brave enough to do that in front of a lot of people,” says De Souza.

Here is Carol’s favorite HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) circuit to do at home:

• Jump Squats: 20 seconds

• Mountain Climbers: 40 seconds

• High Knees: 30 seconds

• Alternating Side Lunges: 30 seconds

• Forearm Plank: 30 seconds

Take 40-second breaks between exercises and repeat the circuit as many times as you can!

Here is my favorite muscle-building, at-home workout that requires zero equipment:

• Push-Ups: 20 reps

• Diamond Push-Ups: 10 reps

• Air Squats: 20 reps

• Lunges: 10 reps (each leg)

• Wall Sit: 45 seconds

• Side Plank: 20 seconds (each side)

Take 30-second breaks between each exercise and a two-minute break after completing a circuit. Repeat the circuit for four sets.

Working out at home is a lot more enjoyable and flexible than most people think, and is a great alternative for whenever the gym feels too far.

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