I hate the gym! Not only is it packed with lots of people almost all the time, meaning you must a) queue to use the machines you want, and b) avoid eye contact with other people in the mirrors. But the competitive and stressful atmosphere alone is enough to put anyone off. 

Especially for me, working out takes effort, and I feel most comfortable getting on and doing my own thing when no one else is there. For this reason, I have resorted to working out in my own bedroom. Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy and/or get fit for all gym haters.  

The first thing worth doing is to devise a clear plan about when you would work out, and what exercises you would do. A good way to start is downloading free apps – for example from ‘Simple Design Limited’ (App Store). 

A few of my current favourites are: ‘Hips, Legs and Buttocks Workout’ and ‘Lose Weight in 30 Days’. It basically does the job for you – by exactly telling you what parts of your body you should focus on and for how long. 

There are also many people on social media that do workout videos to guide you during workouts. It is easy to follow along and it’s a great way to stay motivated. Later on, you can create your own routine from the compilation of previously researched workouts. 

I’ve learnt that to maximise your exercising progress, you must allow yourself a break. Work out just a few times a week – for example for three days with a break on a fourth. After every workout rep, take 30 seconds to wind down and catch your breath before starting another. 

The most important thing to remember when exercising is that the accuracy of the exercise is more important than the speed you get through them. Straining yourself is not a goal here – you must build up your endurance slowly or you could hurt yourself. 

Jazmin Amber Williams from www.allthatjaz.co.uk agreed to share a little workout routine with you to help you start the spring season with vigour and strength. 

Exercises:

For these exercises, all you need is a gym/yoga mat and appropriate clothing. It is up to you how many times you do these exercises, but make sure to gradually increase the number of reps each time you work out.

1.Lunges

For these, you should stand upright with your feet and shoulders in line with each other, then take a big step forward with one leg, and lower your body until the thigh on your other leg is in line with the floor. Repeat on the other side.

2. Planking

To plank, you have to lay on your stomach, flat on the floor, balancing on your toes and forearms to keep your body in a straight line. You must not sink or raise your hips. This exercise should be held for as long as you can.

3. Heel-touch 

Lay on your back with your knees bent in line with your shoulders, and your arms by your sides. Then, keeping your lower back on the floor, reach one of your arms down your body to touch your heel. Do the same on the other side.

4. Sit-ups

For a sit up, you should lay on the ground as you would for a heel-touch, except, you should put your hands behind your ears (or in a straight line above your head to make it harder). Then, you pull your upper body up until your chest touches your knees, without moving your neck.