Get Distracted During Virtual Workouts? How Breaks Can Impact Your Exercise Routine
Many people want to start exercising, but they don't want to leave the house. We get it — it's a lot of work. First, you have to find a gym you like, and then you have to commit to going. If you aren't used to the machines or you're clueless when it comes to lifting weights, it can feel intimidating — especially when you're surrounded by regular gym-goers. This is why many people turn to virtual exercise programs, which give them access to almost any exercise with just the click of a button.
However, working out at home also means lots of distractions. If you have kids or pets, there's a chance you'll be interrupted at some point during a workout. Plus, without the worry of being judged by other gym goers, you might feel less motivated to keep going — no one wants to be the person who gives up at the gym, so you may continue, even if you're tired. At home, it's a totally different story.
Getting distracted during virtual workouts might not seem like a big deal, but it can significantly impact the way you exercise, which means you may not get the results you want. If you're notorious for taking breaks throughout your workout, take a look at how it's affecting your exercise routine.
Distractions make it difficult to increase stamina
When you're constantly taking breaks while exercising at home, you aren't building the stamina you need in order to complete the workout. Without stamina, your body is likely to feel exhausted more quickly, according to Healthline. As you build endurance, your body has the energy to handle stress (and what's more stressful than a 30-minute HIIT workout?). This is why it's important to maintain the intensity you're experiencing during your workout. However, if you're constantly distracted and abandoning your workout session, your chances of building stamina are slim to none.
Sometimes, things happen at home that you can't control. Maybe your partner asks your help with something or your children run in yelling that they're hungry. This is why it's important to find a time when you know you're less likely to be confronted with these distractions. If your children are in school, take that time to get in your workout. Have your partner take the dog for a walk to get both of them out of the house at the same time. It's all about finding those moments throughout your day when it's just you and your workout.
You aren't focusing on your form
Whether you're waiting on an important work email or a text back from your crush, you aren't going to get the results you want if you're concentrating on your phone instead of your form. Certain workouts require focusing on different muscles, and if those muscles aren't being targeted, how can you expect to see any sort of change? For instance, if you're in the middle of an intense Pilates video but you keep looking at your phone, all of your focus is on that little screen instead of strengthening your core.
The next time you turn on a virtual workout, put your phone in another room and turn it on silent. If you have a roommate, ask them to hold your phone for you until your workout is done. If you don't have a computer and need your phone to play the video, turn on the Do Not Disturb setting so you aren't tempted to text when a message pops up.