Teeter Move Trainer Katie is here to share her top tips for making your home workouts the best part of your day!

Making the shift from squeezing in a workout at the gym to embarking on a regular fitness routine from the comfort of your own home is now more common than ever before.

Whether you’ve decided to make exercising a priority after an extended hiatus or you’ve just committed to working out for the first time ever, jumpstarting a new fitness routine can feel daunting, especially on top of juggling the responsibilities of a family and a busy full-time job.

I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here are 5 simple tips to making your home workouts work for you:

1. Figure out what you like to do.

When it comes to establishing a regular workout routine, the most effective form of exercise is extremely personal — it’s the one that you not only like to do, but is also one that you can commit to doing on a regular basis. It might sound obvious but if you don’t actually enjoy the activity that you’ve chosen, the likelihood that you’ll stick to it over time significantly decreases.

Start by asking yourself what activities you enjoy doing and go from there. Maybe you loved going to a yoga or Pilates class, or perhaps you prefer more cardio-based activities like indoor cycling or running on a treadmill? Maybe you enjoy strength training? Think back to what you loved doing as a kid, don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it!

2. Determine the equipment you’ll need.

Do you love lifting weights? You’re going to need some dumbbells or a FitForm. Are you a self-described indoor cycling junkie? Well, you’re going to need a stationary bike or a FreeStep. Perhaps you can’t afford any new equipment at the moment? Then simply starting with a yoga mat and bodyweight-only exercises might be the best first step to take in your at-home fitness journey.

You can even get creative and take a look at what you already have in your pantry that could serve as possible substitutes for fancy gym equipment. Speaking from personal experience, books, wine bottles, cans of soup, and jugs of water can all be suitable replacements for weights. Not sure what exercises to do without the guidance of an in-person instructor? There are plenty of free videos and apps out there that can help guide you, including our very own Teeter Move app. Check it out, we are constantly adding new and exciting content to our library!

3. Identify the optimal space in your home to work out.

Let’s face it, some of us don’t have a ton of extra space in our home let alone an entire room to serve as a dedicated at-home fitness studio. I’m not ashamed to admit that at the start of the pandemic, my husband and I were living in a studio apartment and the two spaces that allowed me to train without disturbing him when he was on a conference call was 1) our kitchen, and 2) the bathroom. Consequently, I’d regularly roll my yoga mat out in the kitchen or move our stationary bike into the bathroom and close the door in order to squeeze in my daily workout.

The spot that you determine doesn’t need to be perfect or massive. At the very least, it should be a space that’s accessible and that you actually want to train in. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish in a small corner in your home.

4. Determine when you like to train.

Perhaps you’re a morning person who likes to get your workout in before starting your day, or maybe you’re more of a night owl and love to work out after wrapping up your day at the home office. If you’re not sure if you prefer mornings, nights, or mid-day sessions, test the waters and experiment with how it feels to train at different times during the day. I personally prefer to work out in the mornings but there are some days when that doesn’t always happen. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to the best time of day to train — it’s whatever works best for you.

5. Commit to a regular practice and figure out a mechanism to hold yourself accountable.

This is arguably the most critical tip to establishing a routine. Oftentimes, the hardest part of working out is making the decision that you’re going to do it. It starts with committing to doing the work and deciding to regularly show up for yourself.

As for the strategies to holding yourself accountable, there are plenty of approaches to take. For some, taking progress pics to document their journey works really well. For others, having a friend or a coach that they can regularly check in with can help. Setting small goals each week/month and rewarding yourself when you hit specific milestones can all be great strategies to help you stay motivated. There’s also a ton of apps that can help track your progress, like recording your weight and measurements. I’m someone who is very visual and achievement-driven and over the years I’ve learned that I need to write my workouts down on a wall calendar so that I have a visible reminder of what I’ve accomplished for the month in order to help me stay motivated.

Most importantly…make it fun!

Making the switch to a home workout routine can be difficult so it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you navigate the process. Some days will be easier than others, it’s not about being perfect — it’s about consistency in the long run.

Remember, you’ve only got one body, so treat it well, be patient, and have fun!

Happy sweating!

Meet Trainer Katie

Katie brings a fun and upbeat approach to her classes on Teeter Move, keeping your energy levels and motivation high to the beat of the music. With a wide range of training certifications and experience in group cycling classes, strength training, yoga, and, Pilates, Katie has the expertise and the passion to help you fall in love with fitness and sweat your way to a brand new you. Get moving with her FreeStep and FitForm classes!

Teeter does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information