How to Stay Active When Renting a Room: Simple At-Home Workouts

Maintaining an active lifestyle while renting a room can be challenging, especially if you’re living in a small space with limited equipment. Whether you’re trying to stay fit, maintain mental health, or manage stress, working out at home is a great way to stay active without needing a gym membership.

The good news is you don’t need a lot of space or fancy equipment to get a good workout in your rental! With the right mindset and some creativity, you can create a fitness routine that works for your unique living situation.

The Benefits of At-Home Workouts

1. Convenience – No need to commute to a gym or fitness center. You can roll out of bed and get started.
2. Cost-effective – You save on expensive gym memberships or equipment. Many at-home workouts require little to no equipment.
3. Time-Saving – Without the need for travel, you can fit in a workout anytime, even during breaks in your workday.
4. Personalization – You can tailor your workout to your own pace, preferences, and fitness goals without waiting for machines or dealing with crowded spaces.

With these benefits in mind, here are some simple workouts you can easily do in your rental space.

1. Bodyweight Workouts

Bodyweight exercises are an excellent way to stay active, as they don’t require any special equipment. These exercises use your own body weight for resistance, making them perfect for home workouts.

Push-ups

Push-ups are one of the most effective bodyweight exercises for strengthening your chest, arms, and core. If you’re new to push-ups, you can modify them by keeping your knees on the ground. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions to start.

Squats

Squats target the legs and glutes and can be done anywhere. You can use a chair for support or go for bodyweight squats. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, lower yourself as if you’re sitting on an invisible chair, and then stand back up. Try doing 3 sets of 15-20 reps.

Planks

Planks engage your entire core and help build strength and stability. Start by holding a plank for 20-30 seconds and gradually increase the time as your core gets stronger. Aim for 3 rounds.

Lunges

Lunges work your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and can be performed even in narrow spaces like hallways. Step forward with one leg and lower your body until your front knee is at a 90-degree angle. Alternate legs, and complete 10-12 repetitions per leg for 3 sets.

Yoga and Stretching

Yoga is perfect for people living in shared spaces. It’s quiet, doesn’t require much room, and has many physical and mental benefits. You can do a 20-30-minute yoga flow in a small area like your bedroom or living room, making it ideal for renters.

Sun Salutations

This basic yoga flow warms up the body and gets your blood circulating. It involves a series of poses like downward dog, cobra, and forward folds, all of which can be done on a yoga mat or even just a soft surface like a carpet.

Pigeon Pose

Pigeon pose helps open up tight hips, especially if you’ve been sitting for long periods. Start in a tabletop position, bring one knee forward, and extend the other leg behind you. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds to a minute on each side.

Child’s Pose

Child’s Pose is a gentle stretch for the lower back and shoulders and is a great way to relieve stress. It’s also a good finishing pose for a yoga routine or after a workout session.

Stretching can also help reduce stiffness, improve posture, and enhance your overall flexibility.

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

HIIT workouts are perfect for renters because they’re quick, efficient, and can be done in small spaces. These workouts involve short bursts of high-intensity exercises followed by brief periods of rest. You don’t need any equipment, and they’re great for boosting cardiovascular health and burning calories.

Here’s a quick 10-minute HIIT workout you can do at home:

1. Jumping jacks – 30 seconds
2. Burpees – 30 seconds
3. Mountain climbers – 30 seconds
4. High knees – 30 seconds
5. Rest – 1 minute

Repeat the circuit 3-4 times for a total workout time of around 10-15 minutes. This type of workout gets your heart rate up quickly and can be a great alternative to a long gym session.

4. Resistance Band Exercises

Resistance bands are a great investment if you’re short on space and don’t want to invest in bulky equipment. They are inexpensive, versatile, and can be used for a wide range of exercises that target different muscle groups.

Banded Squats

Place a resistance band just above your knees and perform regular squats. The band will add resistance, helping to engage more muscles in your lower body.

Bicep Curls

Stand on the resistance band and hold the handles or ends in each hand. Perform a standard bicep curl to work your arms. Aim for 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Working Out With Your Roommate

Living with a roommate doesn’t mean you have to exercise alone. In fact, working out together can be a great way to bond and stay motivated. You can do partner exercises like passing a medicine ball, alternating planks and squats, or taking turns with resistance band exercises. If space permits, try doing yoga sessions together or even going for outdoor runs as a team.

If you’re currently searching for a room to rent or a roommate to share your fitness goals with, platforms like SpareRoom can help. SpareRoom makes it easy to find a compatible roommate who shares your lifestyle preferences, including fitness habits, all over the US – whether you’re looking for a roommate in Virginia Beach or New York City. You could even add fitness or health-conscious criteria to your roommate search!

Conclusion

Staying active while renting a room is not only possible but can also be enjoyable and convenient. With bodyweight exercises, yoga, HIIT workouts, and resistance bands, you have everything you need to stay fit without ever leaving your rental. Partner up with your roommate, and together, you can stay motivated and make the most of your space..