How can you do exercises at home if you don’t have space indoors and you don’t have a backyard either? Oh, you don’t have a garage or a basement that you can turn into a home gym? But how about a driveway, you’ve got that, don’t you? Most homeowners have at least a short driveway or pathway in front of the house. Do you know that you can use this space for your home exercises? If you want an excuse not to exercise at home, you’ll always find one. But if you are committed to finding a space for your fitness routine, you will find a small corner.
What are your fondest memories about your childhood home’s driveway? Didn’t you play hopscotch there? Didn’t you make some lasting friendships while playing with your neighbors on your driveways? Sure, things are different now and you want to use the driveway for your exercises, but it has the same function as before. Since the driveway is an exposed part of the property, you can use it also to connect with your neighbors. Saying hi to them as they pass by you while doing exercises is a nice neighborly, community-building thing to do.
Fix the Driveway First
Before you begin using the driveway for your exercises, make sure that it is durable and stable enough. What is your driveway made of? Do you notice that there are already cracks on the pavement? You may consider switching from concrete to asphalt pavement on your driveway because this is more durable. Not to mention that it is also environment friendly.
It is not hard to transform the driveway from something utilitarian to an exercise playground. All you need is a flat and smooth surface, and you are good to go. Depending on your fitness goals, you don’t even need large and heavy equipment. Bodyweight workouts will be okay to do on the driveway.
Pick the Perfect Routines
What kind of exercises should you do on the driveway? Bodyweight and high-intensity workouts such as squats, high kicks, butt kicks, burpees, and jumping jacks are good workout options. You can also use some weights such as dumbbells and kettlebells. This will add more weight and intensity to your exercises.
Another thing you can do is play with a soccer ball. Driveways and pathways are usually sloping down toward the street. You can start at the bottom. The goal will be to roll the ball uphill until it hits a barrier such as a garage door. Roll it back down before doing the routine all over again. Do this as many times as you can since it’s a great cardio workout and it will also strengthen your leg muscles.
Choose the Right Time
When is the best time to use your driveway as your home gym? The answer depends on whether you are in the mood to say hi to your neighbors or not. If you don’t want to be bothered while exercising, the best time is early in the morning, before everyone gets out of their homes to get the newspaper or leave for work. If you use this time to talk with your neighbors, then you may want to do your exercises at around 7 to 8 in the morning. Although everyone is rushing on their way to work, they’ll surely have a minute or two to say hello.
Is it okay to work out in the evening? Sure, it is. If that is your thing, then why not? However, make sure that your neighborhood is safe enough that you’re going to be working out at nighttime. If there is even a glimmer of danger in your neighborhood, then don’t do it. You’ll be better off squeezing yourself in a tiny corner inside the house.
The perfect time to work out on your driveway is in the early morning when you can get the energy from the sunlight. The sun is good for those who want to build muscles and improve their immune systems. So, as much as possible, try to squeeze in those exercise routines in the morning before everything goes crazy.
If you think of an excuse, you will find one so you won’t feel the need to exercise and take care of your physical health. But if look around your property, there are plenty of places where doing these exercises is possible. Yes, the garage is for the car and other tools, but you can use a small space beside the car to do jumping jacks. The basement is for your old sofa? But how many old sofas do you have? And don’t forget about the driveway or walkway. There is no excuse not to use it since it’s just literally there in front of your house.
