Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Workout Videos At Home

The only thing better than a great workout is a great workout you can do from the comfort of your own home. Whether you've got a packed schedule, don't have the budget for a gym membership, or prefer privacy, there are myriad ways to enjoy an at-home sweat session.

NPR reported that virtual workouts achieved unprecedented levels of popularity during the pandemic ... and the trend has continued even after the world began opening back up. Tons of amazing content creators have caught on to the trend, meaning that there's no shortage of engaging workouts to keep you busy for many years to come.

There are endless apps and online workout programs available to purchase for your use at home. If you're hoping to keep things less expensive, however, there is plenty of YouTube content that you can access for no charge at all while you get started. Here's what to look out for while beginning your at-home journey.

While at-home workouts may seem more informal, Orlando Health reports that they can be just as effective in helping you to reach your goals. If you're brand new to the workout space, you might not know which video or plan is the best for targeting certain areas. Before beginning a workout, take the time to develop some achievable goals, and then do some research into the types of workouts that are best for you.

For example, if you're hoping to achieve weight loss, you'll typically want to incorporate more cardio into your routine. At a standard gym, this could look like biking, running, or rowing. However, you can do cardio (with limited space!) right at home. As Health reports, high-impact interval training (HIIT) can get your heart pumping through a series of intense — but short — exercises.

You can also easily find workouts that target and tone specific areas of the body, like your arms, legs, and butt.

Before jumping into a new workout, investigate your digital trainer from the comfort of your couch. While you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who would lead you with bad intentions or dangerous methods, looking into the credentials of a trainer can help you to see if they align with your goals or have helped others to achieve your desired results. This research is especially worthwhile if you're planning to pay for a workout app or program.

Reviews for programs are typically available in the App Store on through the website you're considering purchasing it on. As far as YouTube creators go, you can look in the "About" section of their channel for information about their credentials, experience, and style. The comment section of their videos is also a good place to learn about the experience of other at-home exercisers using their tutorials. If you're trying out a particularly trendy or viral workout, you may even be able to read the step-by-step experience of someone else before diving in. 

Of course, trendiness isn't necessarily an indication of how well a workout will help you meet your personal goals. While it might be tempting to try out a hack or one-week intense challenge to speed up the process, you need to be cognizant of your own strength level and style as you're starting out. NBC News notes that there are many real risks for injury and burnout if you over-exercise, and emphasizes the importance of incorporating rest days into your routine.

Many workout apps and creators tag their content in ways that lend insight to the workout's intensity. Look for words like "beginner," "intermediate," or "advanced." When in doubt, err on the side of caution! You shouldn't be feeling absolute exhaustion after a workout. 

There are also more than enough workout content creators to explore. Don't settle for the first you find. Finding a trainer who matches your personal workout style and preferences is essential for enjoying the routine. Do you like someone chatty? Someone with great music taste? Someone who understands that you have downstairs neighbors, and doesn't incorporate too much jumping?

One of the biggest perks of working out at home is that it doesn't require equipment or a fancy gym membership. If your preferred way of working out is just moving your body in an open space, then by all means — keep doing it! However, if you find yourself maxing out on your personal goals or getting bored with your typical routines, adding in some basic equipment is a great way to take things to the next level.

For example, workout blocks can help you to get a deeper stretch and feel the burn while doing activities like yoga and pilates. Meanwhile, ankle weights or hand weights can be used to up the intensity and difficulty of your favorite moves.

Of course, as you add weight and additional levels to your workout, the chance of injury can also go up. Remember to take things one step at a time and look up tutorials before attempting to use new equipment.

Whether you're in your home, an apartment, or a college dorm room, you can find a workout that works for your space. There's truly no need to have a dedicated exercise room in order to get a good sweat in at home.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't put any thought into your set up. Working out is much more enjoyable if you feel comfortable and confident in your space. Temporarily move any furniture aside to ensure that you won't accidentally kick something or bump your head. Investing in a yoga mat is a great way to do floor exercises without getting dirty or bruised from a hardwood floor.

Once you have a space, you just need to curate your vibes! Pump some music, blast a fan, and make sure that you have water nearby. If you're following a video tutorial that you'll need to see, connect a device to your TV or prop up your screen on a visible surface.

Just because you're working out at home doesn't mean that you need to work out alone! Certain workout apps incorporate push notifications to remind you to get your grind in and meet your goals. If you need something a little more personal, however, you can get a friend in on the action!

According to AFCPE, getting another person in on your goals vastly improves your chances of reaching them. When you come up with a goal in your mind and consciously make a decision to achieve it, you have a 25% chance of following through. If you share that goal with another person, your odds jump to 65%. But get this — when you have a set time when you know your accountability partner is going to check in and follow up with you, you jump to a 95% success rate.

It's so exciting to achieve fitness goals with a friend at your side. And, throughout the process, remember to be a friend to yourself, as well! Be kind to your mind and your body as you develop new routines, and don't be afraid to reward yourself with a cute new workout outfit or two.