With tight schedules, it’s easy to never have time for exercising. Theogene Nyandwi, a fitness and health coach in Kigali, says although people know that exercising is good for their health, it is still hard to make it fit into their schedule. And this is where working out at home comes in. “Working out from home is convenient as one can still find time irrespective of the time they get home. Making it convenient is part of preventing you from the challenges of getting time,” he says. The good thing about working out from home, Nyandwi says, is that it also ensures one sticks to it, thus enabling them to make a life-changing habit of a consistent fitness routine. Nelson Mukasa, the founder of Children & Youth Sports Organization and a fitness trainer during Kigali Car Free Day, says working out from home ensures flexibility. Flexibility, he says, is important especially when it comes to establishing and staying on track with your workout routine. Regularly working out at home can also lead to creatively finding new ways to incorporate movement into your day. For instance, he mentions that one can find a way of doing home chores and at the same time do workouts such as squats, pushups, among others. “The goal is to be consistent as this will ensure that fitness becomes a part of your life. Staying on track will also ensure that you maintain a healthy weight,” he says. Mukasa recommends varieties like outdoor sports, exercises using videos, body weight routines, dancing among others. Also, Nyandwi says workout from home can help build confidence and strength in yourself and your body. He says one also feels free and comfortable while working out alone, or in an environment where there are not that many people. Studies also reveal that working out from home is beneficial, especially when it comes to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Working out at home also helps one focus without the pressure of others witnessing mistakes and struggles. Studies also indicate that this gives you room to develop an attitude of strength and confidence before working out with others. Also, being at home while exercising gives one more control over what they eat before and after working out. Mukasa says unlike workout at home, before a workout away from home, it’s all too common for one to skip a meal or lean on processed convenience foods. When at the gym, he says, it’s more likely that one will reach out for something available to curb the hunger that at times comes after a workout, unlike when exercising at home where it’s easier to make healthy choices.
