Since the start of the pandemic, more and more people have started working out at home instead of in a gym. Not only is it more sanitary, but it’s much more convenient, especially for tenants with busy schedules. That said, you don’t need expensive equipment to get a good workout in. In fact, using items around your home can give you just as good of a workout as weights at the gym. So if you’re wondering how to build an at-home workout with everyday items, keep reading.
Reasons Tenants May Prefer to Workout at Home
For several reasons, some people prefer to work out at home instead of a gym. For one, a gym membership can be expensive. Some fitness centers charge a membership fee anywhere from $10 to $100 per month. In addition, extra expenses can be hard to squeeze when paying rent, utilities, and other bills.
Also, you have to plan to drive to the gym each day, complete your workout, and go back home, which can take a lot of time. Instead, working out at home eliminates driving to a facility, saving time and money.
Additionally, working out at a gym can be intimidating, especially if you’re just starting. A packed gym can cause nerves and anxiety, which nobody wants to experience while trying to get a workout in. On the other hand, when you work out at home, you’re in the comfort of your environment without anyone else getting in the way or using the equipment you were eyeing up.
Overall, there are numerous reasons why people would instead work out at home. Luckily, there are several ways to do so–even if you don’t have fancy gym equipment. You can build an effective at-home workout with everyday items. Read along as we discuss how.
Building an At-Home Workout With Everyday Items
If you want to work out at home instead of a gym, you may think that you need to buy expensive equipment and follow a specific workout routine. However, you can get a great workout in with everyday items that you have lying around your apartment.
Here are a few items you can use to build an effective at-home workout plan with everyday items.
- Stairs
- Dining Chair or Kitchen Stool
- Laundry Detergent Bottles
- Backpack
- Hand Towels
- Beach Towels
- Laundry Basket
- Doorframe
- The Wall
Stairs
If you have a stairwell in or around your rental, you can get some good cardio in by running up and down the stairs. However, be aware of other tenants using the stairs and be respectful of other tenants if your stairs make a lot of noise. Contact your rental property management company in Northern Virginia if you have questions about shared stairwells.
Dining Chair or Kitchen Stool
You can use a dining chair or kitchen stool as a bench to do many exercises, including tricep dips. Start with your hands at each side of the chair, extend your legs to form a straight line from your ankles to hips, and start by lifting your torso about two inches in front of the chair. Slowly lower your elbows to form a 90-degree angle, then return to the starting position.
Laundry Detergent Bottles
Full laundry detergent bottles can make great kettlebells. You can do several exercises with kettlebells, like kettlebell swings, rows, squats, and more. Make sure you’re doing these exercises properly to avoid injury.
Backpack
A backpack filled with heavy items, like soup cans, can provide a great weighted vest. With this versatile tool, you can go for a walk, hike, or stretch with some added weight. Pro tip: Weigh your backpack on a bathroom scale to know how much weight you’ve added.
Hand Towels
Hand towels can do the trick if you want to perform ab exercises but don’t have any equipment. On hardwood or tile flooring, place the towels under your hands or feet to perform ab movements like mountain climbers or knee tucks.
Beach Towels
Yoga is an excellent form of exercise. However, it can be uncomfortable if you don’t have a little padding underneath you on the floor. If you don’t have a yoga mat, no worries–put down a beach towel instead. You can even double up on towels for extra padding.
Laundry Basket
Have an abundance of laundry? Put your full laundry baskets to use by creating a workout with them. For example, you can perform basket deadlifts by bending your knees, lowering your hips, grabbing the basket, and standing back up. Make sure you have a proper form for each rep to avoid injuries while doing deadlifts.
Doorframe
Use a doorframe if you’re working on burpees and want to practice proper form. Start in a squatting position, then lower yourself into a pushup. After you do one pushup, jump up into a squatting position again, reach your arms above your head, and jump to tap the top of the doorframe. Once you land, get back into a squatting position and repeat.
The Wall
You can even build an effective workout with just a wall in your rental home. Whether you want to do timed wall-sits or walking planks, using a wall for stability is a great way to break a sweat at home. Try to challenge yourself to increase your wall-sit time each day until you reach your goal!
Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Regular Workout Breaks
Taking time out of the day to work out is great for your physical and mental health. In fact, several aspects of each improve significantly through exercise. Here are some of the main benefits of exercise.
- Cardiovascular Health- Exercise is great for your heart. In fact, it could improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Mental Health and Mood- Working out can reduce anxiety, with results immediately after a vigorous exercise session. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of depression.
- Bone Health- According to the CDC, regular exercise can prevent bone density loss that occurs with aging. Moderate or vigorous exercise can also help strengthen bones and muscles.
- Sleeping Patterns- Exercise can help you sleep better by increasing sleep efficiency, improving sleep quality, and reducing daytime drowsiness.
- Improves Brain Function- Regular exercise can improve brain function and even reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. In people over 50, exercise can also improve some aspects of brain cognition.
You don’t have to carve hours out of your day for exercise. Instead, 30 minutes daily can give you a tremendous at-home workout and provide several benefits.
If you work from home, consider taking a 30-minute break from your desk and come up with an at-home workout with everyday items lying around your apartment. Who knows, you may come up with a routine that you really like!
Prioritize Your Tenant’s Needs with Property Management
Keeping your tenants satisfied is a top priority for most landlords. After all, if your tenants aren’t happy with their rental experience, it can be hard to find new quality tenants to occupy your properties. As such, keeping up with tenant concerns, maintenance requests, and routine procedures is crucial to ensure property compliance.
One simple way to ensure your tenants are happy and your property is well-maintained is by hiring professional property management. Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive management services, including tenant screening, maintenance, rent collection, eviction services, and more.
Contact BMG today if you need services in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, or Washington DC.
