I have regular access to three gyms, all of which are within a 15-minute walk. But sometimes – especially when the wind is whipping down the slushy streets of Brooklyn – I just don’t have it in me to layer up and leave the house. Luckily, as a personal trainer and fitness nerd, I’ve amassed a decent collection of multi-purpose exercise equipment:
(Aside: I posted this same photo on Instagram the other night, and my friend Sara commented that it looked like I’d raided the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ supply closet.)
If I were a programming a workout for a client, I would sit down and spend some dedicated time considering their goals and interests so I could put together a workout that balanced cardio, resistance training and mobility. But, honestly, I was pressed for time and feeling spontaneous, so I just kinda winged it… And it turned out to be fun and challenging.
The lesson – planning exercise can help keep you on track with your goals, but sometimes overthinking workouts can get in the way of actually doing them.
If you’re curious, Here’s what I did:
2 sets of
Tabata: no push-up burpee (I have downstairs neighbors)
6-minute AMRAP of
- 14 med ball swings
- 14 med ball goblet squats
- 14 med ball alternating reverse lunges (reverse lunge holding the med ball to the chest)
3 sets of banded monster walks
- forward, backward, left, right
Tabata: alternating banded pull-aparts and curtsy squats
5 Rounds:
- 30 mountain climbers
- 10 curls to overhead press with 25-lb band
3 Rounds with ab roller
- 10 forward
- 5 right
- 5 left
Turkish Get-up practice with dumbbell – I struggle with form/sequencing on this, so I’ve been trying to fit in some practice time at the end of workouts.
I got it all done in under an hour, and I was super sweaty. Success!
If you’re interested in adding home workouts to your schedule but don’t have much in the way of equipment, here’s a little workout I put together for a recent Men’s Journal article. You only need a chair!
Question: Do you work out at home? What are some of your tips and/or challenges?
