How often do you find yourself at home with nothing to do but sit on the couch and watch TV? While relaxation is necessary for your mind and body, so is exercise and movement. You don’t have to spend money on a gym membership or fancy workout equipment – by following these tips, you can create a workout zone in your Chicago home that will motivate you towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Choose a Location

If you aren’t dead set on purchasing large home workout equipment, you can set up your workout space in any room of your choosing. You can dedicate a spare room, the corner of your bedroom or living area, or a basement, attic, or garage. Just make sure that you allow yourself an area of about eight feet by six feet to have enough space to move and exercise. The location should be easily accessible and should have good light, as you’re more likely to go into the space if it’s welcoming and unhidden. If you’re creating a multifunctional space such as a corner of your living room, you may want to add some storage to hide your workout equipment when you’re not using it or when you have guests, such as your yoga mats, jump ropes, or dumbbells.

Choose Your Routine

There is no point in cramming your workout space with a ton of equipment you may never use, so take some time to decide on a workout routine. Why buy a treadmill that’ll take up a large majority of your space when you can get the same cardio effect by jumping rope or doing calisthenics? Why clutter your space with a workout bench and free weights when you can use dumbbells? There are a lot of workout routines online such as yoga, resistance band workouts, and Pilates that work the entire body, and all that’s needed is a mat, some resistance bands, and a laptop. If you create an exercise routine ahead of time, you’ll know what equipment and accessories you realistically require. 

Consider Adding a Mirror

No one looks their best when they’re huffing and puffing during a workout, but adding a mirror to your workout space allows you to see your movements, your improvements, and as an additional bonus, will make your space seem brighter and bigger. Also, for beginners, mirrors are especially helpful when trying to make sure you have the right form while trying different exercises.

Flooring

If you have hardwood or tile flooring, it’s very important to use exercise mats to not only protect your floors but also protect your body. Surfaces such as wood, concrete, and tile do not absorb the impact of movements such as jumping, running, or dancing, therefore, the energy exerted reverberates into your body making you more likely to suffer from injuries such as shin splints or sprains. Invest in spongy interlocking matted flooring or simply use a yoga mat when doing high impact exercises.

Play Upbeat Music

Let’s face it, we all need a little motivation when we work out. Nothing gets the body moving better than some good music, so it’s a good idea to have a good playlist ready to go. If you don’t want to disturb the neighbors with your workout playlist, consider purchasing some earbuds that are designed for those who’re active. These headphones are designed to connect to multiple devices, are sweat resistant, and will stay in your ears while being active.

A home workout space doesn’t have to cost a fortune, nor does it require a lot of square footage. Granted, it may be hard to motivate yourself off of the couch, but once you do motivate yourself and get into a workout routine, your body will thank you for it. By using these tips, you can create the perfect space to get into shape and turn that winter body into a summer body.