“Workout” can be a daunting term for many people, since most people don’t think about what they are doing when they are working out. The idea that you have to do something physical or physically demanding or maybe even the idea of doing whatever makes you feel like it is hard to get used to.
But if you want to work out in your own home, then there are ways to level up how much you like your new workout routine. Here are five things you should try to make your home workout more enjoyable:
1) Add some music
Getting your cardio in early is usually just as good as getting it done at the gym. A great way to get started is by listening to an old-school hip-hop song on repeat. You might also check out R.E.M., who had their hits back when I was my teen and now has so many hits that it makes me want to hit repeat every time one of these songs comes on. If that doesn’t sound good to you, or if you are feeling sick after a long run, pop on your headphones and make yourself scream with a catchy tune like Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, Kendrick Lamar’s “Nothing Is What It Seems”, Cardi B and Megan G and Drake’s “WAP” all at once. Get into those tunes and watch when you can’t stop running, then go back to them right before you head off to bed. This keeps running fun as well!
2) Make sure it’s warm-up time
When it is hot outside, a little bit warmer up will do wonders for your body temperature and how your cardio will come more easily. And don’t forget another reason why being warm-up might be better than going out and purchasing a water bottle and/or even wearing leggings. Just remember to keep your energy up because while you are exercising, your metabolism slows down. When we take our clothes off to stay warm but do not take our bodies up to the task of exercise, the metabolic rate decreases to help with the lower heat. So the best thing is to start slowly, then progressively add more speed gradually, starting with a few minutes and eventually adding 10 to 20 minutes on each side. Plus music helps clear your mind and you don’t have to think about your next move. Try running on one leg with just your sneakers on. Or try running with your feet together or without shoes and let your mind wander to the beat as you jog.
3) Go easy on the weights
If you try to lift too heavy or too fast (or maybe even overdo heavy), your muscles may hurt and your heartbeat may get slower. Remember to keep your focus on pushing through and trying to stay moving forward. Because the last thing you want to see after running are your knees giving out and you have no choice but to give up. But I’ll also say that sometimes your knees want to give you the look of a fool because everyone seems to think they know everything about everything. You need to push through and stay strong. Don't let anyone else get to you. Use gravity to pull your weight and don't let anyone else tear your momentum.
4) Keep the pace
If you are already feeling strong and ready to push harder, don't settle for anything less! If you are not doing enough speed, it will only make your body hurt, and eventually, you won't be able to run as fast. The bottom line is to just keep going and you'll get where you want to go. Sometimes we settle on a tempo and we don’t go beyond it. There isn’t much difference between doing 100 miles on an elliptical trainer and doing 4,000 miles on Strava. All you are doing is adding distance but never changing your pace.
5) Eat healthily and drink lots of fluids
I’ve talked earlier about how foods like vegetables and fruits can boost your ability to run longer or faster. Now that you’ve finished your first two points above about how important it is to eat right and drink plenty of fluids, we move on to the fuel part. Eating foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and protein will help to keep you on track because they will keep your energy levels high and also boost your metabolism. Fruits and veggies are packed with fiber which means that you will feel full by the end of it but not bloated. This means less time is needed to finish as fast as possible. As for protein, it is always best to include protein in your diet for endurance. Protein is also more effective than carbohydrates to increase speed. Water helps your body work more effectively, allowing your body to use its natural processes more efficiently and quickly. Also by drinking a glass of water before you start any cardio, you help your body cool itself down so you don’t heat it. Lastly, by consuming electrolytes in your meals, you are helping keep your body properly charged. Your body gets enough power to move quickly from the food you ate and the hydration you drank and will be able to achieve peak performance (which is what the majority of successful male athletes have done on their race days).
So these five tips are there to help you become a stronger, faster, and more capable runner! But if you don’t like the idea of taking the stairs or climbing trees, then the other four strategies are the same for boosting your running game. They are not always the easiest to follow through and take a lot of planning, training, and patience.
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