Hi everyone! I’m a new mom (my baby is almost 4 months old) and I’m starting my fitness journey for the first time at 27. I’ve been doing home workouts almost every day for about 2 months now, but I feel like my routine is becoming a bit dull and repetitive. I go for walks with the stroller and do hip bridges and squats with my baby for resistance or using resistance bands, along with assisted push-ups, planks, and wall angels.
How can I spice things up? What low-cost equipment should I consider investing in? Am I missing anything in my routine?
A pair of adjustable dumbbells is a great option; they’re not bulky or pricey and provide a wide range of exercises.
If you’re looking for workout ideas, check out “Orange Theory Fitness at Home” on YouTube. They offer numerous excellent 20-minute resistance and HIIT videos suitable for beginner to intermediate levels that you can do anywhere.
These look fantastic! Do you have a way to filter workouts for beginners, especially for someone who isn’t great at dancing but thinks it might be a good fit? Also, are there any plans for an Android version of the app?
I work out at home frequently, and here’s some of the equipment I use:
Adjustable dumbbells: They can be a bit tricky since they sometimes don’t stay tight, so make sure to get a good quality set. I have a metal pair that I either load up with weight plates or keep light and carry them while doing other exercises.
A step: I have an aerobic step that I use for YouTube dance and Zumba workouts. While I don’t always use it for those, I keep it handy to add an extra challenge by creating my own moves or using it while holding dumbbells.
An ab roller: This can be tough at first and may strain your back, but it’s great for building strong abs. I do a pyramid workout with it: get a mat and the ab roller, then do 10 rolls, followed by 8, 6, 4, and 2, taking breaks as needed before repeating.
A good yoga mat: I rely on this for resistance exercises like push-ups, burpees, and sit-ups, especially since I got carpet burns on my hands from doing burpees without it. If you have wooden or tiled floors, it’s also helpful to place your step on the yoga mat to prevent slipping.
BoobBuddy: I use a boob band to keep everything in place during more intense moves, so I don’t experience discomfort.
I mix up my workouts mainly with YouTube videos, incorporating both serious and fun routines. The fun ones often involve just dancing around without thinking, and before I know it, I’ve burned around 500 calories! The serious ones require focus to ensure proper form and avoid back injuries.
I’ve also taken up outdoor cycling. It may not be for everyone, but it has truly changed my life. Working from home and having a child kept me indoors a lot, but cycling around gives me a wonderful sense of freedom. When my partner gets home, we swap responsibilities, and he takes care of our child while I enjoy a ride.
Adjustable dumbbells are fantastic. I have twin 8-month-olds, and they fit perfectly into my limited workout time! Exercises like Romanian deadlifts, shoulder presses, and goblet squats are really beneficial. Additionally, focusing on calisthenics and stretching can help alleviate lower back pain.
I started doing home workouts when I learned my wife was pregnant, which was four years ago. I found the book Charles Bronson’s Solitary Fitness, which is excellent and requires no equipment. About a year ago, I invested in a suspension trainer that hangs on my door, and it’s a fantastic piece of equipment. Following the Solitary Fitness book and TRX travel videos has helped me gain some good muscle.
