How To Effectively Workout At Home Without Gym Equipment

SALT LAKE CITY — If you’re a gym rat, finding new ways to exercise at home can be a big adjustment, especially if you don’t have home gym equipment. But KSL’s Aley Davis found it’s possible to have an effective workout at home just using your own body weight.

Exercising at home isn’t my first choice, but with a few tips from Intermountain Healthcare’s Libba Shannonhouse, an exercise physiologist at the LiVe Well Center, I quickly worked up a sweat without being in the gym.

“[They’re] convinced that they’re going to lose everything they’ve gained, but in reality, our bodies sometimes need a change and a break,” Shannonhouse said.

She said the first step to an effective at-home workout is creating the space, even if it means moving your ottoman or coffee table out of the way.

“Move things around a little bit just to give yourself some room to move,” she said.

Second, dress the part. Even if you aren’t headed outside, put your workout clothes on and lace-up your tennis shoes.

“Once the clothes are on, it’s a little easier to kind of get in that mindset,” Shannonhouse added.

She said that was one of the best tips she’s ever received.

Shannonhouse guided me through a series of exercises including jumping jacks, wall sits, pushups, and triceps dips. She told me to get creative and even use my furniture as a prop.

Let me tell you, I’m still feeling sore. I never thought I could sweat that much in my own living room.

Shannonhouse encouraged people to turn to online exercise resources or apps.

“There’s a lot out there that you can access online to help guide you through routine,” she said.

She personally uses the 7 Minute Workout app frequently, but also recommends turning to LiveStrong, Down Dog, and even Pelaton for their online resources. While she said some of those resources charge a monthly fee, there are also plenty of free resources on YouTube.

She said the key is to find something that gets your heart rate up and something you can enjoy.

“Even if it’s not the level you’re used to, it’s going to maintain everything you’ve gained,” she explained.

Shannonhouse recommends setting a timer if you need more motivation, video chatting a friend while you virtually work out together, or distracting yourself with a guilty pleasure. She said for her, it’s TV shows.

“There’s specific, I hate to say it, Netflix shows that I’m only allowed to watch when I’m on my bike trainer,” she said.

She suggested turning exercise into a game for people who have kids.

“See who can get the most steps in a minute!” she said.

Bottom line — just get started.

“Is just trying to do something that gets you moving, that’s gonna make you feel good,” Shannonhouse said.