I hear it time and time again. I have a gym membership but I don’t use it. Is this you? These are the top 4 reasons why you need to quit the gym and get outdoors to exercise, or just find a space in your house and start moving!
- Having No Plan! Too many people think that simply joining the gym is the answer to their fitness problems, but that is not the answer. Many people are happy to say that they went to the gym, but if you ask them what was their heart rate or how many calories they burned they have no idea. They not only have no idea what they put their bodies through, but have no plan for the next day. So many people join a gym, pay thier fees and never go back because they don’t see any results. Don’t let the gym suck you in!
- Overcrowded– Gyms make money by having more members. More members means less equipment for you when you finally get to the gym. There is nothing worst than sitting in traffic after working a long hard day at work to get to the gym and have to wait in line to use the treadmill. Exercise is supposed to be a stress reliever, it is not supposed to add stress to your day by having to run around the gym looking for open equipment to use. Finally, it always seems that everyone at the gym is bench pressing on the same day that you are. Too many people too little equipment, that is a problem you will not have when you exercise in the fresh air at a park or in your home!
- Weird People – I am not saying that I am the most normal person out there, but it seems that a lot of strange people hang out at the gym. The grunter, the crazy sweater, the stinky guy, the weight thrower guy, the can I jump in guy, the can I get a spot guy. You name it, that person is always hanging around the gym waiting for the worst time to try and talk to you.
- Distractions – Today too my gyms focus on adding comforts and amenities to the gym people forget about why they are actually at the gym. T.V.’s, watching others train, and all sorts of things to stop you from working out!
So your over the gym but still want to stay in shape
For all the negatives of the gym, sitting on the couch is worse than all of them combined. The whole point of skipping the gym is to find an exercise solution that works for YOU!
There are a million things you can do for exercise that don’t involve the gym, but here we’ll focus on home bodyweight workouts as its an easy place to start.
Bodyweight Training
This is a very effective, quick, and easy form of exercise. Bodyweight exercises get you into great shape and help develop awesome muscles and cardio fitness.
But I’m overweight and out of shape
Even better. The heavier you are the more effective bodyweight training is. Forget benching 10kg dumbbells at the gym, you’re going to do 60kg push ups.
Absolute Beginner Bodyweight Workout
The simplest way to start is to pick 4 bodyweight exercises and do the following:
- Do each exercise for 20 seconds
- Rest 15 seconds or more as needed.
Repeat until you’ve finished the 4 exercises. Rest for 1-2 minutes or more.
That’s it, you’ve completed your first circuit. Now do 2 or 3 more and you’re done with your exercise for today!
Keep in mind this is a simple starting workout. If you are completely sedentary, this might be very taxing and you’ll have to rest more, and do less at first. On the other hand, if you’re in somewhat good shape, this workout might be too easy. Always meet challenges at your own fitness level, that’s what you’ll build on.
What bodyweight exercises to do?
This will greatly depend on your physical fitness, strength, bodyweight, and additional equipment. For example, a pull up bar will open up a whole world of great back exercises and hanging movements.
Strength Builders
- Push Ups
- Squat
- Plank
- Chin up or Pull up
Cardio Exercises
- Jumping Jacks
- High Knees
- Mountain Climbers
Corrective Movements
- Glute bridge
- Split Squat/Lunge
- Bird Dog
And remember – the best way to succeed on your fitness journey, is to make sure you have someone keeping you accountable and motivated! And if your looking for a group to help you do this, then Coreliving is the place to go. Call Amy on 0412 230 926 for more information on their Ladies Bootcamp sessions that run 5 mornings a week.