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(CNN)One of the big positives to emerge from the pandemic's many challenges is how it has focused our attention on prioritizing health and wellness — with a particular emphasis on physical fitness.
To establish an at-home workout habit, ease into it first, Dana Santas recommends.
To meet our fitness needs while gyms were closed for prolonged periods, many of us started working out at home. Some got creative, using household items for our workouts, while others ordered home gym equipment online. Now, after getting a taste of at-home training, more people are considering making it a permanent practice.
If you're currently weighing the benefits of creating a dedicated space for your own home gym and wondering how you can make it work for your lifestyle, read on.
Consider the benefits of working out at home
As a mind-body coach in professional sports who also has a garage gym, I can attest to numerous advantages of at-home training. Of course, with current Covid-19 concerns, a huge benefit is the knowledge that your home gym is virus free and kept up to your own cleanliness standards.
But there are many other positive aspects, including the following:
- Enjoying ease of access and time efficiency. With no travel time and no closing time associated with your home, it's hard to make the common time-related excuses not to exercise. Additionally, your training time can be more efficient as you don't have to wait your turn for equipment or spend extra time on your workout to rationalize the commute or cost.
- Shifting your training perspective from a chore to a lifestyle. Because the gym is part of your home, training becomes part of your lifestyle rather than another to-do outside of the house. This creates a sense of ownership of your fitness, instilling it as a healthy lifestyle habit rather than an obligation.
- Shedding insecurities and relishing quality time. Without having to feel self-conscious about others judging you during workouts in a public gym, your home gym time is of a higher quality, letting you focus entirely on you and your goals. And, if you have a spouse or family, training together can be a quality bonding experience.
With all the benefits, it might be tempting to stop reading and immediately go convert a guest room or start cleaning out your garage to make space. But continue on for tips to ensure that the space you designate for working out will actually work for you.