The Benefits of Training at Home

[caption id="attachment_3380" align="alignleft" width="150"] Editorial by Jodie - FitFarms Personal Trainer[/caption]

Here at FitFarms weight loss camp and holiday retreat we strive to get you the best possible results. Many of our clients face different barriers, both mentally and physically but a common barrier we see time and time again is idea of using a gym.

So you've taken the first step and made the decision to embark on an exciting journey to a healthier and happier you, however when it comes to making lifestyle changes trying to do too much too soon can be daunting. On top of that, the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone and into the gym can be enough of an excuse to never even get started.

Training in a gym is great and under most circumstances would probably be the better choice for most people, after all it houses a far wider variety of equipment than any of us could dream of having in our homes. But, what if getting to the gym is simply impossible? This could be down to a variety of reasons such as confidence, location or family and work commitments simply not allowing you the time to squeeze a gym visit into your already busy schedule. This can be very demotivating, however the alternate is to train at home and this should never be overlooked or underestimated! You don't have to feel restricted when training at home and there are many ways of training with body weight alone, however resistance bands, Swiss balls and a kettlebell can be great tools to use and are relatively inexpensive. So what are the benefits?

It's cheap..... Gym memberships are becoming increasingly expensive with many luring you into year long contracts at the appeal of a marginally cheaper rate. Training at home is completely free so is a great option is you face financial pressures. However, if you do have a small amount of money spare, initially investing in some proper guidance can really help to give you the direction you may need and allow you to make the most out of your home workouts.

It saves time..... You instantly eliminate your travel time, changing room time, and chatting time. By the time these are factored around your workout your total gym time can easily end up eating up a substantial chunk of your day. By training at home you are being far more time efficient, reducing your overall workout time and reducing guilt for prioritising in some selfish time to work on yourself.

You are alone..... Confidence is one of the single biggest barriers many people experience when using the gym. Although it is very important to remember every person is using the facility for self improvement. You are all there for the same reason and the majority of gym goers you will find helpful friendly and even supportive. However, training at home allows you to find your feet, focus without interruptions, practice your movements and build your confidence in an environment where you will not feel judged and are free to make mistakes without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Plus it completely eradicates the time wasted on waiting for equipment.

Home workouts are incredibly effective..... Even simple body weight exercises allow you to train every muscle in your body in a way that can be gradually progressed over time as you get stronger. It can be more interesting, and arguably more effective. For example completing a varied bodyweight cardiovascular circuit at home can be both more physically and mentally stimulating than hopping on a cross trainer for half an hour. Home workouts can be customised to challenge you at a level that is achievable, from really intense with a huge calorie burn to moderate and manageable if you are a beginner. You can be as creative as you like with the stuff you have around you. If you don't have resistance bands or weights you can use water bottles, tin cans, chairs for step ups, the list goes on. Experiment and use your imagination and research different moves for different body parts, remember, there's nobody there to judge you!

Here at Fitfarms the team are dedicated to making sure you have all the knowledge and experience you need to structure your own home workouts before you leave, in order to continue on your exciting journey into a healthier and fitter lifestyle. We are always on hand, both during and after the course to help guide you through them!

Jodie FitFarms Personal Trainer