Working at home but still looking to stay in shape? One rule is more important than all others: separate your gym from your office space.

It has more to do with your mind than it does your body. As you may have experienced already, being on lockdown will heighten stresses and anxiety. This is why it’s crucial that you separate your work from your workout.

Studies have long shown how you should separate your bed from your work-space, and the same is true for training, too.

When your desk and work-space somehow manage to worm their way into your workout zone, it’s a recipe for disaster. The only way you can ensure both work and training get done to the best standard is by separating them.

How do you separate work from a workout at home?

It’s not all doom and gloom. Now you know the dangers, let’s consider how you can set up separate spaces for work and training. Thankfully, it’s doable even in the smallest of spaces.

Take mental breaks

You may not have a massive amount of space, but your home gym needs to be in a separate room or area of the house. Training can then become a very real break, both mental and physical, from your working day.

If you live in an open plan apartment and have limited equipment such as a pull up bar and resistance bands, aim to drape them over a door frame that is at the opposing end of the room.

Even in a small flat, use a separate room to the one in which you work, and make sure to never skip rest day.

Make use of whatever space you have

If you do have a garden, count yourself lucky and make use of that space. Many people are less fortunate. A grassy surface offers you a free cushion for performing bodyweight exercises, plus you can drop your dumbbells and kettlebells without them breaking.

If you have a particularly lengthy garden, you can also get your dose of cardio in by performing shuttle runs and weighted carries back and forth.

Garden time will also simulate an outdoor experience, providing you with much needed fresh air and vitamin D. Don’t forget to get yours.

Think minimalist

If you do only have a small space in which to work out, consider gym equipment that can be packed up and folded away with ease. Pop-up frames which allow you to perform pull-ups and dips are a safe option, and can be packed away into a bag with ease.

When it comes to free weights, Rubber Dumbbells are scalable and effectively act as a full, dumbbell collection in one. That’s without mentioning Kettlebells. These are incredibly versatile.

If you have a kettlebell and a mat, you’ve enough for a full-body workout.

Tick it off the to-do list

It’s all well and good knowing how to physically separate work from training whilst at home. But you need to know how to mentally do it as well.

Although you may be out of the office, still do your best to stick to a schedule (as much as you want to stay in your PJs all day watching Tiger King). Sticking to distinct times for work and a set window for working out will provide much-needed peace of mind.

You may also wish to make this to-do list a real thing. They are recommended for people with sleep issues or anxiety disorders because they help to rid the mind of the residue that may be left from not knowing with certainty whether you completed all your jobs.

But in actual fact, anyone will benefit.

Need some home workout inspiration? Here's 10 ways to keep fit when you're stuck indoors.

For more content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and on our official Mirafit Facebook page.

Tags: Misc > Lifestyle ; Misc > Mindset