How to Make Your Cardio At-Home Workout Program Rival Gym Workouts

Mind is All

Hate the gym? Commit to an at-home workout program instead. If you work out at home, you’ll save money (gym membership) and time (all that commuting back and forth, waiting for your machine to open up).

For an at-home workout program to be satisfying, you'll want to buy excellent equipment and gear, which will help you stay safe, injury-free, and enjoy your new pursuit all the more.

Running is an excellent at-home cardio exercise option, one that burns fat and calories, relieves stress, and will improve overall health. Advantages: you can do it anywhere, anytime, with minimal equipment. Outdoor running provides a better workout than treadmill running because you have to deal with the elements; you'll notice it's a harder workout, which means it brings better results more quickly. You'll need to buy top notch running shoes (replace them every six months) in order to prevent injury, something you'd have to buy even if you kept the membership. You'll also want to buy winter running gear or a treadmill, if you can't handle the weather in your region, an investment that will last a decade or more.

Cardio exercise option number two: biking. One advantage to biking is you can use your bike outside or in, as along as you buy a trainer for your bike (which will allow you to use your bike like a stationary bike on cold days). Physical advantage to biking outside: while spin classes can be challenging, it’s easy to coast, whereas when biking outside you have to deal with the hills in your course. One of the best things about biking is you can cover some serious distance, so you may decide to bike to work or to run your errands on your bike, making even better use of your time. You'll need to get your bike tuned up, check your helmet and other gear for safety (reflective gear is advised), and think about investing in a winter bike trainer.

Consider ditching the gym membership and taking your cardio workout to a new level on your own.