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In our new place, we have a lot more space than we used too (YAY!) but unfortunately, this does not include a home gym (boo!) and means I still have small workout space.

skipping rope on plain background with title - ways to use a small workout space in orange writing

With increasing house prices, the trend towards confined living space increases and when you have children it starts to get smaller and smaller. When maximizing available space for living essentials, there may not be a whole lot left over for exercise equipment and quite honestly it can be expensive. Having a fully furnished home gym for many (including us) is an impossibility and let’s be honest, a membership to a gym isn’t for everyone, so if you are trying to get fit from the privacy of your own home, a little research and creativity can make it happen. Here are some of the ways I try to workout at home with small workout space and make the most of what I have!

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Skipping Rope

Skipping is a great calorie burner and HIIT exercise, plus practice makes perfect and simply using a skipping rope can give you a brisk and effective cardiovascular workout. This simple and affordable piece of workout equipment can also be stored easily and won’t take up any space. Watch out for light fixtures and remember that you don’t need a lot of slack, if you are hitting the ceiling with the rope then you have too much left. 

If you are of the very tall variety, unlike me, you may find it best to jump rope in the garden or just outside or instead you can even replicate the cardio workout of jumping rope without needing an actual rope. Ghost jumping can have the same workout benefits as long as you commit to jumping you don’t need the actual rope, although if you have downstairs neighbours you might want to reconsider until they have gone out!

Foldable Workout Equipment

Turns out if you have the budget but not the space, foldable workout equipment such as this stationary bike and rowing machine are the way forward because they can be more easily stored and put away afterward. Although they are not usually something you would associate with conserving space in your own home, if you are looking for a long-term budget-friendly option and you enjoy using the machines then this is for you. Some of these models can easily be folded up small enough to fit in a cupboard or under a bed so you can fold it away once you are done. You could even invest in a pedal exerciser that fits under your desk so you can pedal while you work.

Bodyweight Exercises 

If you have absolutely no weight or storage space and very small workout space, then for the time being, you can use your own bodyweight and turn it into a decent workout with power combinations. You can also try adding  some cardio moves to create excellent HIIT workouts without any equipment at all. For example, jumping squats, walking lunges, burpees or press-ups can all help you to maintain your physique without costing anything, and you can do them on your living or bedroom floor!

Free Weights and Kettlebells

In the middle of this spectrum is using free weights and kettlebells which allow you to intensify any given workout and only require the space to move about during those workouts. Even if you have a tight workout space, moving with these weights and kettlebells should not be a problem and most can easily be stored out of sight when not in use. Kettlebells, when used correctly, provide a full body workout.  Just be sure to use a rug or workout mat to possible avoid damaging your flooring.

free wights or kettle bells ways to use a small workout space

Stairs

If you have stairs or steps, use them. They are great for cardio and leg workouts and can also help your co-ordination while stair workouts have been known to benefit runners too! You can go as slow or fast as you like so in the beginning, practice them first and if you have a railing, ideally go up and down alongside so that if you trip you have something to catch you. Rocky didn’t run all those steps for nothing.

Yoga or Barre

Yoga or Barre is an ideal solution to working out it an enclosed space since the only room you’ll need is the size of your yoga mat. You would be able to get the physical activity your body needs without occupying more than the size of a doormat. If you are tall just watch out for light fixtures or ceiling fans when stretching in a small workout space. 

yoga mats on wall ways to use a small workout space

Workout Videos

There are an array of workout videos online or you can buy exercise DVD’s that accommodate a variety of styles and interests such as dance, body combat, pilates, yoga and many more that range from beginner to expert which means you will be able to find the ones that you need.

Ultimately, there are quite a few ways to get your workout on regardless of the space you have available and this just depends on how creative you can be. Just remember to keep your workouts varied so that you don’t get bored, simply figure out which one you would like to start doing and get motivated!

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Unless you have a home gym you need to make do with a small workout space and here are the tips, tricks and exercises you can use to do it.

30 comments on “Ways To Use A Small Workout Space”

  1. These are great tips! I like to go to the gym for my workouts because my home is small, but I don’t always make it. These are such great tips that anyone can do! Thanks for the ideas!

  2. Ooo so many great tips!!!! I really should step my fitness game up with some folding equipment!!!!

  3. I live in a small home, so I can definitely use these tips! I’ll definitely have to keep them in mind. Thank you for sharing!

  4. I love kettleballs. I’ve tried jumping rope in the house before and it hasn’t really worked. Low ceilings in the basement and feeling like I’m goign through the floor on every other level. lol

  5. We have a very small condo, so these are great tips for me. Thank you, I am getting ready to start a new workout regime.

  6. I used to workout in a small space. I tried to take advantage of all the things that I had in the area to workout with. I can appreciate this post and what you are talking about here.

  7. These are great tips! We don’t have a designated work out room but have a treadmill in our bedroom. These tips will help us stay motivated to actually do it – you can work out anywhere!

  8. I love your dedication to your workouts. I do a modified zumba with my iPod music. It works when I can’t get to the gym.

  9. Thank you so much for this incredible and helpful tips. Yes I absolutely agree that you can workout even in the comfort of your home. No excuse not to workout.

  10. These are some really good ideas here. I need to use the stairs more often. Reminder to self haven’t worked out today.

  11. I wish I had a small workout space. I have very little space. I belong to a gym that is right down the road so that helps.

  12. Great tips! I love to use my stairs too. But these pieces of equipment are great because they are so cheap and small. I have it all!

  13. You don’t exactly need a huge space to workout although it’s definitely more convenient. These are really great ideas to maximize the space that you have!

  14. I have always said you can get in shape without an actual gym or a lot of equipment. You have once again shown this to be so possible and you do look to be in good shape.

  15. These are great ideas Charlotte. Good to have the attitude of making good with the space that you have and not giving up. I had not seen the peddles before. They would be ideal for bloggers who sit too long.

    Kathleen

  16. Great tips Charlotte. My PT used to work on luxury sailing ships and she is the ‘Queen’ of small space workouts. You really can workout anywhere can’t you? It is just a matter of know what to do.

  17. Those were some great ideas. No excuse for not working out now! Not enough room won’t work!

  18. Skipping rope is something I always forget about, what such a calorie burner. And I’ve always wanted to try out kettlebells. How should I start?

  19. Great tips. I know we all wish we had the space to have our own personal workout room but in the real world with families and space limits we know that isn’t possible!

  20. I must say that I’m not much of a work-out-aholic (I just invented a word didn’t I?) but these are great tips and make me want to give those kettle bells a try.

  21. i am such a gym rat! therefore i will procrastinate if i dont get to go to the gym with its big wide spaces. Thanks for the recommendations here, definitely helps to broaden your thoughts around getting workout no matter where!

  22. You’ve highlighted some really great products. I do belong to a gym but sometimes it’s too hard for me to get there. I think with the addition of a jump rope and kettle bells I can have a workout right here! Thank you.

  23. Love all of these. There are so many options to be able to workout, so no one really has an excuse not to.

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