In these uncertain times it’s more important than ever to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. Being at home needn’t stop you from doing that. With a little prep work and a routine, staying motivated isn't as hard as you might think. The tips below will help you or your members fitness goals stay on track. Feel free to share with your network to keep in contact with them while they may not be able to attend your gym.

Designate Your Workout Space

Make sure you have a designated area for exercising.

This can be as elaborate as a home gym or as simple as the corner of your living room where you can lay an exercise mat. Having a dedicated space, no matter the size, will save you time and keep you from getting distracted. You may not have a balance ball, free weights or an exercise mat. There’s plenty of alternative everyday household items you could use – just be sensible. If not, body weight exercises will still get your heart pumping.

Write Down Your Goals

One of the primary ways to keep up your motivation is to stay conscious of why you’re making exercise a priority. Write down your fitness goals; whether it’s to train for an upcoming race, boost your energy or increase overall health. Put your goals on paper and post them in a place where you'll see them each morning.

Come Up with a Plan

Decide what workouts will best help you meet your goal.

Usually a variety of exercises such as strength training, cardio and stretching works best, but every "body" is different. Decide which days of the week, how long and what time of day you’ll work out and schedule your at-home workouts just as you would a meeting at work. You’re most likely to get the best results if you treat these workouts as important appointments.

When your appointment comes up, dedicate yourself for the full amount of time you’ve set aside. Have water, a towel and music or audiobooks ready to help you power through your workout. You can even create a workout playlist with your favourite tunes, adding at least enough songs to get you through your entire workout.

Track Your Progress

Keeping a journal of your progress is a great way to keep focused.

At a gym, you tend to push yourself harder to keep up with others around you, but at home, it can be tough to compete only with yourself. That’s where a journal helps. It shows you how far you’ve come and lets you see where you can push yourself harder. Did you do more reps this week than last? Can you run an extra mile this week?

Tracking progress is easy with an app like Preva, in which you can log your workouts and set fitness goals. Some things to consider including are the details of your workout, such as reps and time or distance. Separately, keep notes about how you felt during each workout and what your post-workout snack was.

You might also want to keep motivational sayings and images in your notebook. Search sites like Pinterest for fitness inspiration to find a range of quotes and photos to choose from and remember to share your progress with friends and family so that they can support you.

See further tips for working out at home and mindfulness techniques in the articles below​

• 8 beginner exercises you can do at home
• 3 Tips for Your Morning Routine for Better Health
• Mindful Minute Stress Relief Tips