Skip the gym – work out at home

Tired of the gym? Working out at home can be just as effective!
Elin Härkönen, personal trainer, gives tips on what equipment to invest in and how to think.

Reader Question: I’ve worked out at Friskis & svettis on and off over the years, and I’ve enjoyed going to classes. It’s the only kind of exercise I’ve done. Now my family and I have moved to a small village where the nearest gym is seven miles away. How should I exercise to stay in shape? What do I need in my “home gym”? I hate running, so it’s out of the question.

Expert answers: Body weight goes a long way

– It’s great to hear that you want to continue your training, you’re right! Training only with your own body weight goes a long way, and this is the form of strength training that I most often recommend to my clients because it’s so accessible,” says Elin Härkönen, personal trainer.

– “All we need to make a workout happen is our own will and some time. But to make the workout a little more fun, and also more effective, you can get some equipment.

Four tools for the home gym

Rubber bands to increase the resistance of the exercises. For example, you can wear the rubber band over your thighs when doing squats.

• Pilates ball – great for core training.
• A kettlebell or a pair of dumbbells.
• A yoga mat – for convenience.

– Using tables and chairs is also an option, sometimes you have to get creative. But remember that you can train very well and effectively without equipment. The important thing is that the practice happens, not that you have the right stuff.