When I mention to friends that I do most of my workouts at
home, they often tell me that they prefer to go to the gym. They’ll mention the
social part of gym membership – the fact that it’s easier to force yourself work
out if you know that someone’s waiting to meet you. I can’t disagree – I like working
out with other people. It’s fun to take group classes, then hit the coffee shop
afterwards to catch up.
But here’s the downside – most people only get to the gym
2-3 times a week. They might intend to go work out every day – and I know there
are people who do. But people get busy, classes get cancelled, and things come
up which can make it impossible to carve out 2 hours every day for the gym
(travel time, workout, cool-down, shower, etc.)
While it’s possible to maintain a basic level of fitness working
out a couple of times a week, it is often not enough to achieve the kind of
results that many people hope for- reaching their ideal weight, creating
defined, sculpted arms, and even finding those long-buried abs.
Achieving a high level of fitness requires careful attention
to nutrition and a regular, non-negotiable exercise program, 5-6 days a week. Fortunately,
this doesn’t mean that you have to jump around your living room for 1+ hours a
day. Today you can choose from a wide range of 25-30 minute workouts that will
build endurance, develop muscle definition and keep you in fighting form.
For me, hitting the gym or a class is a bonus. It’s
something I do in addition to my scheduled daily workout. For me, these home
workouts are non-negotiable. They ensure that I stay strong and flexible, can
wear all the clothes in my closet and am able to take on any physical challenge
I choose. They make it easy for me to get in 3+ hours of high quality exercise
every week, without leaving the house. I’ve got my body back, and now I know
how to maintain it.
