Three top tips to get started with virtual exercising at home

Get your space ready

Having the tools around you that you need to have a successful workout will help you stay focused, rather than having to run around collecting equipment. This doesn’t mean that you need to have a full set of weights to hand, but clearing a space so that you can roll out a yoga mat can go a long way to helping you get moving.

If you have the space to leave your kit out, you might find it motivating to set out your equipment ready for your workout time, especially if you’re trying to fit one in the early morning. Rolling out of bed into the exercise clothes you’ve laid out and then going into your routine can help you automatically get into the right mindset. Research shows that it takes between 21 to 30 days to form a habit – so if you keep getting up and going each morning, after a while, it will become automatic.

Find something you enjoy

Whatever your reason is for exercising, choosing something fun will help stop it from becoming a chore. Of course, you won’t love it every day, and that doesn’t mean it won’t be hard, but having fun can help you to dig deeper and achieve your goals. Some people also find that choosing an exercise routine that really takes all their attention stops them from becoming bored, and acts as a kind of meditation. 

There are plenty of choices when it comes to virtual exercise these days – from pre-recorded classes, to live classes that allow you to speak to the instructor and see your fellow classmates all doing the moves at the same time. If you really want to try something new and have the budget, then a Virtual Reality (VR) headset is the newest trend in the exercise community. They’re not cheap, but they can provide an immersive experience that gamifies exercise, so can be very beneficial for people who struggle to keep focus. 

Consider teaming up

If you need the motivation of having people around you as you do in the gym, why not see if a friend or family member wants to take part in a class with you? Whilst you’ll both be logging on virtually, being able to see someone you know might help you stick it out. Or, if you have the space, invite them over and complete an instructor-led class together.

Not only does teaming up keep you motivated, but it can also be helpful for making sure you turn up to the class regularly!