Your Distraction-Free Designated Workout Space

‍If you’re anything like me, then you might find yourself itching to get your workout on whenever and wherever you can. But this doesn’t mean that we should do our workouts anywhere and anytime.

Working out in the living room is probably not a good idea. Working out anywhere and anytime might seem like a convenient way to fit more exercise into your day, but it also comes with some serious downsides. When we work out in spaces that are accessible anytime, we become less likely to actually take advantage of those opportunities.

That means that when we leave our gym clothes under our bed or hide them in the back of our closet, we decrease the likelihood that we will work out again soon. Working out in a space without distraction is also important so that you can focus solely on your workout.

Create a Designated Space and Commit to it

If you want to be successful at working out, then you first have to make room for it in your life. That may mean giving up a few hours of Netflix binging or trading your daily morning coffee run for a quick jog around the block.

But even if you can’t give up any of your favorite activities, you can still make room for exercise by creating a designated space for your workouts. Designated workout areas are a great way to set yourself up for success and make sure that you are truly making room for your workouts.

Working out in a space that is solely dedicated to exercise will help you to be more intentional with your time and set you up for success. It will also help to eliminate some of the distractions that can take away from your workouts.

Make Your Workout Area Comfortable and Inviting

When you’re setting up your workout area, you have to make sure that it is an inviting and comfortable space. If you’re working out in a space that doesn’t feel right (or isn’t entirely clean), then you are much more likely to avoid that area or even to avoid working out in general.

Your workout area should be a place where you can unwind and not worry about the stressors of your day. If your workout space is clean and organized, it’s much less likely that you’ll get distracted by messes or disorganization. If your workout area is inviting, it’s much more likely that you’ll actually want to go there.

Don’t Have Any Distractions

As we’ve already discussed, distractions can make working out less likely and less productive. So if you want to make sure that your workouts are successful, aim to eliminate as many distractions as possible.

Make sure that your phone is in airplane mode or that you don’t have any notifications turned on. It’s a good idea to keep your device out of reach so that you don’t find yourself scrolling through Instagram mindlessly while you’re supposed to be resting between sets.

Keeping your phone out of sight can also help you to avoid checking your phone when it’s not appropriate. When you set up your workout space, you can also make sure that you don’t have any distractions nearby by closing the curtains, turning off the TV, and locking the door to keep people out.

Have Your Gear Handy and Ready to Go

If you’re like me, you have the best of intentions when it comes to hitting the gym. But if you don’t have your gear ready to go and ready to take with you, then you’re much more likely to avoid going altogether.

Keep your workout gear in a bag that is easy to carry and that allows you to transport your gear effortlessly. Keeping your gear in an accessible place and ready to go will help to set you up for success and get you to the gym more often.

If you’re not comfortable carrying your gear around with you (or you don’t have a way to transport your gear), then you could also consider keeping your gear at your place of work or at your university.

Lock the Door!

This might sound like overkill, but there’s actually a reason to keep your workout area locked whenever you’re working out. Not only does keeping your workout area locked make it easier to avoid distractions and focus on your workouts, but it can also help to protect and maintain your equipment.

For example, if you have friends or family members who are likely to walk into your workout area, then it’s probably a good idea to keep the door locked. Not only will this help to prevent unwanted interruptions, but it can also help you to avoid having to explain the importance of protecting your exercise equipment.

Bottom Line

Working out anywhere and anytime comes with a few downsides. When we work out in spaces that are accessible on demand, we become less likely to actually take advantage of those opportunities.

Creating a designated space for your workouts can help to eliminate some of those distractions. When you set up an area that is comfortable and inviting, you’re more likely to want to exercise in that space.

You can also protect your workout area with a lock so that you can keep your equipment safe. By creating a designated space for your workouts that is free from distraction, you can set yourself up for success and make sure that you are truly making room for your workouts.