The Best Home Fitness Programs For Getting Back In Shape

Getting back into shape is challenging for many people. The struggle to get fit after the holiday season and New Year’s resolution is almost universal. However, there are many ways to get in shape and stay that way. Find the best home fitness program for you by learning about your different options. These ideas can help you get and stay on track. Read more below about the best home fitness programs for getting back in shape, and more importantly staying in shape.

Why is it so hard to get back into shape?

Getting back into shape after taking even a short break can be extremely challenging. A variety of factors can contribute to this difficulty. The first is simply that your muscles will have atrophied (shrunken) and grown weaker during your break. This is a natural part of aging but can be overcome with the proper exercise program. Other factors include the state of your diet and your general health. If you were eating poorly and not being physically active before, it will take even more effort to get back into shape. 

Getting back into a healthy lifestyle is challenging but also very rewarding. Keep in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and if you’re serious about getting back in shape, you need to stay focused and disciplined over time to achieve results. A body in motion will remain in motion, while a body in rest will remain in rest. You have to break out of this cycle of homeostasis and push yourself. The good news is that once you experience small successes, which can happen in as little as two weeks, you will begin to gain momentum and motivation to stick with the program and continue on your journey to get back in shape.

Considerations For A Home Fitness Program

When trying to find the best home fitness program for you, start by making a list of your fitness goals. Are you trying to lose weight? Build muscle? Improve cardiovascular health? Each fitness goal will have a different fitness program associated with it. Beyond goals, you may also want to consider your fitness level and age. If you are a beginner or getting “long in the tooth”, a more gentle exercise program may be more appropriate. Alternatively, if you are looking to build muscle or simply become Crossfit Games ready, you may want to look for a more intense program.

Circuit Training For Cardio, Strength And Endurance

If you are trying to build muscle and improve your cardiovascular health, circuit training might be a good option. A circuit is a series of exercises followed by a brief rest period. There are many circuit training workouts you can do at home. These types of workouts are usually effective and efficient, helping you to burn a lot of calories in a shorter period of time. Circuit training is great for people who have little time to work out. It can also be great for people with limited mobility or strength because it adjusts to suit your current level. If you are just starting, you may want to start with low- or no-weight exercises. As you get stronger, you can start increasing the amount of weight you lift. Circuit training is a great way to improve your health, get stronger and build muscle.

One of the best “at home” circuit trainers on the market is one that adjusts to your needs, whether you’re just starting and need to ease in slowly to fitness, or you’re looking to take your physique and fitness to the next level. The Fusion CST Studio by NordicTrack is one of the best options out there. Here’s a list of the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Strength & Cardio In a Single Machine.

2. Elite iFit interactive training in some of the world’s most breathtaking locations.

3. Access on demand workouts with world-class trainers.

4. Auto Adjust technology to change resistance with the tempo of the workout so that you’re getting a full workout the entire time.

5. Innovative Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR™) creates a robust force field delivering digital weight for quiet, smooth, and effective training (no waking the baby or neighbors).

6. See yourself from multiple angles with the 70-inch full-length mirror, allowing you to experience incredible personal trainer-led workouts while keeping an eye on your form and movements.

7. Wide variety of workouts for strength, cardio, yoga and mindfulness to provide holistic physical and mental health.

Cons:

1. The price tag could be cost-prohibitive for some, coming in at $2,229. But NordicTrack has made this price negligible with their affordable monthly finance plan at $59/MO at 0% interest FOR 39 MOS.

2. Coming in at 70” height, 60” length, and 40” width, the Fusion CST Studio takes up about as much space as a standard size hall tree in your house. 

3. Requires a wifi signal only (no ethernet connection).

4. Weighs 378 lbs in the box when it arrives from shipping, and it does require some assembly, but nothing difficult. Just some time.

While there are many types of home fitness circuit machines on the market, the Fusion CST Studio by NordicTrack is truly one to experience, and will keep you motivated to keep coming back again and again. And best of all, you’ll have the added convenience of receiving the best fitness classes from world-class trainers and athletes from the most beautiful, exotic locations in the world, which will put you in an entirely new head space like just returning from a vacation. And all from the ease and comfort of your own home. Check out Fusion CST Studio by NordicTrack today to see if this is the right fit for you.

Yoga For Energy And Mobility

Yoga is another excellent exercise program that can help you lose weight and build muscle. Yoga also has many other benefits including reduced stress and a strengthened immune system, as well as many other health benefits. Yoga is a great way to get in shape because it is low-impact and easily accessible for most people. Many people are interested in yoga but are not sure how to do it. There are many ways to get started with yoga at home. You can do yoga with an audio guide, with a video guide or on your own with a book. It can be beneficial to try a few different options to find what works best for you. Best of all, yoga can be done anywhere. You do not need special equipment or a large amount of space to do yoga at home. As long as you have some space to stretch and a quiet place to practice, you can do yoga at home.

If you’re new to yoga or looking to get started, all you really need is a non-slip yoga mat, resistance straps, blocks, and maybe a towel for those sweat sessions. The best “out the box” yoga kit is the super affordable and complete HemingWeigh Yoga Starter Kit for Beginners. 

Pros:

1. In addition to a 72″ x 23″ thick yoga mat, this yoga bundle by HemingWeigh has essentials like a yoga strap for stretching, yoga blocks for support, and towels for drying off.

2. You can use the yoga set with mat and blocks for meditation, stretching Pilates, and toning workouts at home or gym.

3. The set comes in both calming and energizing colors.

Cons: 

1. With six pieces in this set, you’ll need a place to store them all. If space is at a premium, I would recommend the Yoga Mat Storage with Wood Floating Shelves that can be hung on any home wall and keep your yoga gear organized and your living area tidy. The (2) yoga blocks are 9″ x 6″ x 3″, the yoga mat is 72” x 23”, the strap is 72″ x 1.5″, the large microfiber towel measures 72″ x 24″ and the small one is 24″ x 15.” 

Cardio Workouts For Cardiovascular Health (And Better Sleep)

Cardio workouts can help you lose weight and strengthen your heart. There are many types of cardio workouts you can do at home. You can walk at any pace, run, cycle, use an elliptical machine, or even swim. Walking is a great low-impact exercise to do at home that can also help you clear your head. Cycling is another option that you can do indoors. If you have a stationary cycling machine, you can do timed workouts indoors. If you don’t have a stationary cycling machine, you can still do indoor cycling. You can ride your bike indoors on a stationary trainer or a special indoor cycling trainer.

The best indoor cycling trainer on the market is one that will keep you motivated to come back for more. The key to any workout is finding joy and motivation, and this can be rather hard to do if you’re staring at a wall while cycling. For this reason, the best indoor cycling trainers have a screen and connection to virtual-based fitness classes on demand that take you on an adventure to amazing travel destinations. 

The ideal indoor cycling workout should leave you energized, refreshed and in a new head space that you enjoy the feeling of having accomplished something physically challenging yet mentally stimulating. That is why Peloton is leading the market in this category. But there’s a lesser known competitor that offers the same experience and benefits, and at a lower price. 

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro stands out as a clear winner in this category with all the features and benefits of Peloton, but at the incredible cost of FREE with a 3-year family membership to iFIT. The ProForm Studio Bike Pro typically retails for $2702, but with an iFit Family 

Membership for 3 years, you’ll only pay $1403 total. ProForm also offers a monthly payment plan at $39/MO for 36 MOS, making this indoor cycling trainer an incredible option for quality, price, and value. And with the iFIT Family Membership, you can take your virtual trainer session workouts anywhere on your mobile device. They offer way more than just cycling, with options for any fitness program you may want or need. With free shipping and a 30 day money back guarantee, you can try the ProForm Studio Bike Pro in your home and see if it’s the right fit for you, and the iFIT Family Membership to see the vast options it offers for your fitness needs. If not, simply return the bike with their easy, no hassle process.

Pros:

1. Affordable at $39/MO for 36/MOS (total $1404)

2. Adaptive to your fitness requirements, iFIT trainers adjust the equipment for you, changing resistance as you workout.

3. Choose from thousands of interactive studio classes and outdoor workouts led by professional trainers, including cross-training with weights.

4. Silent ride with patented SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance.

Cons:

1. Expensive without a 3-year iFIT Family Membership. Retails for $2702.

2. HD Touchscreen is only 10” as compared to the Peloton 22” screen.

3. Requires a wifi signal only (no ethernet connection).

4. Weight capacity is 250 Lbs. 

Running For Total Health

Running is another great cardio option you can do at home to lose weight and get fit. Unlike other cardio workouts, running can be done in a wide variety of environments. You can run indoors or out. The choice is yours and based on your preference. If you’ve fallen off the horse and haven’t run in some time, it can be helpful to start with walking. You can gradually increase your distance over time as your body gets stronger, typically 2-3 weeks. It is also important to properly stretch before and after your workouts to avoid injury. 

In some climates during the colder months, running outdoors is a non-starter. Even in warmer climates, there’s only so many running routes around your neighborhood that you can take before you become bored and tired of the same scenery. For these reasons, the best treadmill that tops the list is the NordicTrack EXP Series. The thing that stands out most with the NordicTrack EXP Series, aside from the incredibly sturdy engineering, is that elite trainers will engage with you to help push and elevate your workouts. Talk about accountability! You only need to provide the will and effort, but trust me, these trainers will push you during the interactive experiences. The EXP Series is a solid option for any home fitness program. 

Pros:

1. Affordable at 0% APR for 12 MOS, or $1799 ($149/week over 12 MOS).

2. Active pulse cruise control to monitor your heart and keep you in the correct zone.

3. Auto-adjust technology based on trainer cues or with your one-touch input.

4. 14” HD Smartscreen.

5. 17,000 interactive workouts with personal trainers in your home.

6. Flex Select cushioning to lower impact on joints.

Cons:

1. Can be expensive at $1799.

2. Requires iFit Membership after 30-day free trial.

3. Requires a wifi signal only (no ethernet connection).

4. 229 Lbs and 79.9” L x 35.08” W x 59.25” H Footprint.

Conclusion

Getting back into shape after the holiday season and New Year’s resolution is almost universal. However, there are many ways to get in shape and stay that way. When trying to find the best home fitness program for you, start by making a list of your fitness goals. Are you trying to lose weight? Build muscle? Improve cardiovascular health? Each fitness goal will have a different fitness program associated with it. Circuit training, yoga, and cardio workouts are three great fitness options that you can do at home.

With the right equipment, you can stay motivated to put in the effort and remain in shape all year long. Perhaps your New Year’s resolutions could be a thing of the past, and instead you could adopt a lifestyle change that becomes part of who you are. Jump off the yo-yo and develop some consistency with your health. Try these great at-home fitness equipment options to add the variety you need to sustain continued health and fitness progress for the rest of your life.

Related Articles

Best All-In-One Home Fitness Equipment For Getting Toned And Fit

Why Nutrition Is More Important Than Exercise To Get And Stay Fit

The 5 Components Of Physical Fitness To Increase Endurance

How To Get Fit For A Total Body Transformation

Why Nutrition Is More Important Than Exercise To Get And Stay Fit

Gut Health Is The Secret To Mental And Physical Health

Best Adjustable Dumbbell Strength Training For Runners