The key to achieving the best home workout

Since entering self isolation, I have found it really hard to stick to a home workout routine besides doing outdoor cardio with my partner. Sometimes, the timing just doesn’t fit my “busy” schedule (meaning I really just can’t be bothered to change out of my sweatpants) and other days I focus on working from home and before I notice, it’s dinner time and I haven’t broken a sweat.

Without physically attending the gym, I‘ve found it way easier to push off my regular workouts and be less accountable.

While I think it’s important to listen to our bodies and not be too hard on ourselves, I personally feel MUCH stronger, healthier and energetic when I’m working out. I usually try to average 4 workouts a week at my all-female gym for that reason!

To get back into the groove, I decided to switch up my mentality and hold myself more accountable.

Since YouTube videos aren’t giving me the motivation I clearly have been lacking, I committed to online live fitness classes. There are tones of options out there, but I am specifically doing the Function Studios online membership. They are a family run female gym with some seriously fit instructors to amp up your motivation. I have been doing their abs and ass classes, full circuit workouts, pilates and even ballet bar classes (which are all streamed live and also accessible on zoom). To join, simply follow them on Instagram @functionstudiosinc and DM them to set up your online membership.

I have also been using the Peloton App- as they have a free 30 day period- to supplement my workouts with cardio. While I have never been a runner, I have always wanted to get into it and now is the perfect time provided that I am working from home (like a lot of us)! I have found their walk/run classes to be perfect for beginners like myself, and they even measure your distance, provide you with a map of your run in your on area and the calories you burn. While you are running, you can listen to your favorite instructor run with you and they even provide you with their music playlist so you can pick a playlist/instructor that suits your vibe/mood that day.

To supplement my workouts, I also purchased the PVolve home exercise kit from Amazon:

The kit I purchased comes with one set of hand weights , ankle weights , and a resistance band with a ball attachment and was $150.00. It seems to be sold out but a similar one is linked here: Link to shop.

Pvolve is great because the company also provides you with a booklet outlining great ab and buns exercises, and the option for online workout tapes as well. You can also buy the equipment separately, if you just want the weights or the resistance banded ball.

I have mainly been using these in my Function Studios online classes, as the programs they offer (like most others ) require some small hand weights and I got sick of using canned goods to work my arms!

I have also found it helpful to download the Functions app, which allows you to preschedule your workouts in advance for the week. Knowing that an instructor and other women will be online has helped me stay accountable and stick to a routine. Whether it’s Functions, or another gym near you, I encourage you to pre-schedule workouts to hold yourself more accountable as well.

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know. Happy working out, you got this!