The Sweat Community Share Their Best Home Workout Tips

Here at Sweat, we love any nugget of workout wisdom we can get, and we especially love tips and tricks straight from the amazing Sweat Community - the women who have had their fair share of ups and downs on their workout journeys.

We asked the Sweat Community for their best tips for working out at home, and boy did they have some gems to help get you moving, and keep you moving for life.

Home workout equipment

Ready to level up your at-home workout routine? It might be time to invest in some home gym equipment. The Sweat Community agreed on a few things when it comes to your at-home setup. Firstly, start small and build your kit over time as you figure out what you need and what you enjoy using. It can be a good idea to start with adjustable items such as resistance bands, TRX and adjustable dumbbells. 

A good sturdy chair or bench can go a long way for exercises such as step-ups, tricep dips, bench press or box jumps, and one other item you might not have thought of? A full-body mirror. “Get a tall mirror to watch your form,” one member recommended. “It doesn’t have to be fancy!” An added bonus? It will come in handy when it comes to those post-workout #SweatSelfies.

Speaking of not needing things to be fancy, some exercise equipment can be expensive, and one member said to not worry about buying things brand new - second-hand is fine (providing it’s all safe, clean and in good working condition). Try not to worry about what you don’t have or think you can’t have a good workout without equipment. “Work with what you’ve got!” 

And if you don’t have room to store equipment but still want to get a sweaty session in at home? There are plenty of no equipment or bodyweight workouts available in the Sweat app!

Set up your space

For so many in the Sweat Community, an effective at-home workout is all about finding or creating a space you'll be comfortable and happy working out in. Many members told us their number one tip was carving out a dedicated space, even if it’s only big enough for a yoga mat. 

If you’ve got extra equipment, it’s a great idea to have everything you need close by, and if you can, keep your workout space strictly for your Sweat sessions. Avoid letting clutter creep in, remove distractions (one member gave us a good laugh with her recommendation to exercise away from your bed or couch), and keep the kids and pets occupied in another room if you can.

To make your workout space more inviting, get the temperature and lighting right and consider adding plants, some art or a motivating quote on the wall. As one member beautifully put it, your workout space should be a sanctuary for your body. 

Working out first thing in the morning or after work? Lay out your mat and equipment the night before or before you leave the house so you’re ready to go. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!

Dress for success 

Just because you're working out at home doesn't mean you don't need to get dressed. For many, the act of putting on their workout clothes gets them in the zone for fitness, and putting your clothes out the night before is another handy tip to help you feel committed and motivated. 

Buying yourself some gym clothes that make you feel confident, comfortable and in the mood for movement can make a big difference! “I always wear a proper gym outfit,” said one member. “If I don’t, I’m never fully committed.”

Nail your schedule 

One of the hardest parts about sticking to fitness long-term is finding the time in your schedule for exercise, week in, week out. If it’s possible for you, many members highly rate getting their workout done in the morning so it’s out of the way before the day gets busy (or before the kids wake up). 

Of course, morning workouts don’t work for everyone, so another tip from the Sweat Community is to schedule your workout time in your calendar whenever it works best for you, make time for it, and stick to it like it’s an important appointment. If life tends to throw you regular curveballs, have a plan B up your sleeve.

“Stay committed and don’t let there be any option other than showing up, even if it’s only for 10 minutes.”

Make it FUN

Naturally, there will be days when your motivation is lower, so keeping your home workout routine as fun as possible is key. 

In addition to picking a training style or Sweat program you enjoy, the top recommendation we received from countless women in the community is to embrace the power of music. Here’s what some Sweat members had to say about creating a good workout playlist: 

“Music up and press START.”

“Music is SO important!”

“Without people there to motivate you, get a banging playlist that will!”

“Pump some good tunes and dance through the warm up.”

“Crank the music.”

“Be consistent with your workouts and have an awesome playlist!”

Other members switch it up with a podcast (here are some recommendations from the Sweat Trainers for your listening pleasure) or save new episodes of their favourite TV show for workout entertainment. Whatever gets you moving!

If your phone is often a hive of activity and notifications, consider putting your phone on focus or airplane mode to reduce distractions while you exercise. 

Whether you’ve been working out at home for a while and your routine is feeling a bit stagnant, or you’re just starting out and looking for some inspirational tips, the Sweat Community has got you covered. Remember to aim for consistency rather than perfection. Just keep showing up and your home workout routine will become a habit in no time!