Working out at home is a convenient way to fit regular exercise into your regimen. It has become more popular as the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many people from exercising at their regular gyms or classes. However, if you live in an apartment, you might face challenges such as lack of space or noise limitations that hinder your home workout routine.
Here, Christopher Lee, Buffalo, New York, local fitness guru, discusses five ways to overcome the challenges of small apartment living and beginning a home workout routine.
Incorporate Bodyweight Exercises
Many bodyweight exercises can be done from the comfort of your home and with little noise. The great thing about these exercises is that they require no equipment, just a small space within your apartment or outside. Try exercises such as planks, squats, lunges, push-ups, sit-ups, and even burpees if done at a slower pace.
Invest in Easily Stored Fitness Equipment
Fitness equipment such as a pair of dumbbells or a yoga mat can easily be stored in a closet or underneath a bed. Many companies sell equipment intentionally designed for small spaces that can be stacked together or folded up for better storage. You don’t need a treadmill or bench to take up all of your livable space. Even equipment such as resistance bands can be stored in a drawer, or a pull-up bar can be installed in a doorframe. A little can go a long way in finding multipurpose equipment.
Utilize Online Workouts
With so many gyms shut down, fitness instructors and gyms alike have begun providing online workouts. There are so many websites and apps to choose from, so you should easily find an online platform that offers at-home exercises that work for the space you are in. Most trainers understand the current constraints imposed for most at home and have found ways to create workouts that require little to no equipment and can also be relatively quiet as not to disturb your neighbors.
Take Advantage of Building Features
Does your apartment building have several floors? You can take advantage of certain features such as stairs to incorporate cardio into your workout routine. Benches and tables outside are excellent for tricep dips or step-ups. While COVID might have temporarily closed certain features of your apartment complex, if your pool happens to be open, you can also utilize that for some low-impact exercises.
Find the Right Workout Space
Each apartment space is different; therefore, it’s up to you to determine where it makes sense to set up your home workout space. Whether it’s moving the coffee table to open up space or finding room in the kitchen, be mindful of the space in your apartment as well as where you might be for the neighbors below you. Many experts recommend investing in a thick carpet, workout pad, or strong workout mat to add an additional layer of soundproofing if you have hard surface floors. If your apartment building has an open space or grassy area, you may consider taking advantage of the outdoors when you can.
About Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee, originally from Buffalo, New York, is a certified personal trainer. Mr. Lee helps his clients build muscle and improve their overall fitness. Christopher supports his clients as they revamp their health and fitness routines, increase their metabolism, and get stronger. His exercise programs and training sessions are designed to help clients build strength, athleticism, and agility so clients can enjoy the activities and sports they love pain-free.
Mr. Lee earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Sports Performance from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Christopher Lee’s passion for living a healthy and active lifestyle has led Mr. Lee to educate his clients about the importance of regular exercise and science-based nutrition fundamentals.
When he is not supporting his clients to become more physically fit, Christopher Lee can be found spending time with his friends and family in Buffalo.