It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s always good to stay fit and healthy. Of course, it’s not always practical to exercise outside, especially when the winter months come rolling around. The good news is, it’s perfectly easy to create your own home workout routine. Not only will it help you to pass the time when you’re stuck indoors because it’s raining outside, but it will help you feel fit and strong both physically and mentally. Here’s a few tips to help you get started.
1. Make a plan to start exercising
It sounds obvious but sometimes the hardest thing about exercising is actually making a start. If you’re out of practice and you don’t feel very confident that can be quite a hurdle to overcome. But think of it this way: Even top professional athletes had to make a start at one time or another. What’s more, no one hits their fitness goals on day one. So, don’t put too much pressure on yourself but make a solid plan to start and take some action. Maybe get yourself some decent trainers and home workout clothes. And tell someone that you want to get fit. You never know, you might end up with a training buddy who’s just as keen to get fit as you are.
2. Explore different exercises until you find something you like
It’s much easier to keep exercising regularly if you enjoy yourself while doing it. It could be something as simple as taking a stroll round your local park. Or, if it’s too cold for that, why not stick your favourite music on and dance around your living room – no one will see you! It’s really a case of doing anything that gets your blood pumping and your heart rate up. At the same time, ask yourself what you want to achieve. Is it weight loss, or improving your flexibility, or just doing something to life your mood? Start with a goal in mind and find an exercise that helps you reach it.
3. Don’t go too hard too fast
As we get older and our bodies change, we need to be careful we don’t overdo it. Hurtling round a football pitch may be fine in your twenties, but the aches and pains you pick up can take longer to heal when you’re in your fifties. So, the best advice if you’re trying getting back into a regular exercise routine is to take it slowly. Go too gung-ho and you might find yourself feeling rather stiff the next day. Instead, adopt a more cautious approach. You could visit your local leisure centre and have a taster session with a personal trainer. They can help you understand what your current level of fitness is like, what your goals are, and suggest a home workout that helps you achieve them. It could be a combination of strength training and aerobic exercise, or maybe something different – but you won’t know until you try.
4. Focus on building muscle…but not in the way you might think
We tend to lose a fair bit of muscle mass as we get older. So, one of the best things you can when you hit your fifties is focus on strength training, or resistance training as it’s sometimes known. But don’t think this is about lifting heavy weights and turning yourself into a body-builder. In fact, it’s got more to do with building muscle mass. Put simply, the more muscle you build, the faster your metabolism will work. You’ll become more toned and lean which makes weight loss much easier. In turn, you’ll have a stronger core, which helps to improve your sense of balance, reducing the chance of you falling and injuring yourself.
There are lots of simple strength training exercises you can do as part of your home workout. Press-ups and sit-ups are some of the more common ones. The trouble is, these exercises involve you having to get down on the floor, which may not be the most comfortable way for you to exercise. If that’s the case for you, it could be a good idea to look into some effective home workout equipment.
3 pieces of home workout equipment that could help you
Ab Doer 360
The genius of the Ab Doer 360 is that it gives you a low impact core and cardio workout, while you’re sat down. The comfort groove seat is specially designed to relieve pressure on your pelvis and hips. It tilts 360° while you work out which calls more of your core muscles into action – boosting the effects of your exercise. At the same time, the dual foam roller system actually supports and massages your back, helping to keep your back muscles from stiffening.
Explore the Ab Doer 360 here.
Orbitrek MX
This is another clever piece of home workout equipment that lets you get fit while you sit. It’s like a mini elliptical trainer which you can pop under your desk while you’re working, or simply on the floor beneath your feet while you’re watching TV. With its 3 programmes and 5 speeds you can give yourself as tough or as gentle a workout as you like. It gives you a good cardio workout, burns calories, and promotes weight loss all while you’re sat down.
Explore the Orbitrek MX here.
Total Flex
The Total Flex is like having your own portable piece of gym-standard home workout equipment. With its multi-flex resistance cables, it lets you perform multiple resistance-training exercises, all from the comfort of your own home. The enclosed guide details over 50 different exercises that you can do quickly and easily – from stretching out your legs to building up your arm muscles. Best of all, you’ll start seeing immediate results with a home workout of just 20 minutes a day.
Explore the Total Flex here.
