Your apartment does a lot for you.
It’s the place where you live, love, sleep, eat, dream, connect, recharge and more. And, it also may be the place where you exercise. However, that kind of commitment to exercise requires space, which can be hard to come by in an apartment.
We’ve put together a few tips to help you make the most of your fitness options when choosing an apartment in Buffalo.
1. Invest in Equipment that Works for your Space.
If you’re living in a small apartment, you know every inch of space matters. While you might be coveting a Peloton, for example, only you can determine whether you’re willing to give up extra seating or storage space to fit a large bike or heavy piece of equipment in your home.
And, let’s be honest – if you’re living in a second- or third-story apartment, lugging a large piece of equipment up several flights of stairs may just be more workout than you bargained for.
Look for pieces of equipment that don’t take up a lot of room. You may, for example, be able to add a pullup bar to a door frame – no additional space required.
If you really want the experience of using a machine rather than inventing your own workouts with resistance bands and exercise balls (both of which are also good space-saving options), you might consider a mini-exercise bike or mini-elliptical, both of which can be paired with any chair, then stored away after you finish using them.
Another piece of equipment that you might not consider as “exercise equipment” technically? Your smart TV or laptop. You probably have access to thousands of workouts through video streaming services. If you can keep some floor space in the TV’s vicinity either open or easily clearable, you can have an entire workout-class-for-one right in your living area.
2. Choose Furniture that Makes it Easy to Store Away Your Equipment.
Speaking of storing away, making wise choices on furniture selections can make it much easier both to get to your equipment and to effectively obscure it when it’s not in use.
If you like to use a step to do cardio workouts, for example, make sure you choose a set of steps and/or risers that will easily slide under your bed or sofa. And, if you have a collection of hand weights, resistance bands, and kettlebells, you might consider choosing a storage ottoman that can keep them within easy reach while also keeping your small living space tidy.
3. Use all your spaces wisely and incorporate them into your workouts.
As we mentioned, options like a pull-up bar can make use of your existing space. You can also create a workout for yourself by using different surfaces in your house to create resistance.
On any wall in your apartment space, you can do wall sits to strengthen your legs and core muscles. Using your floor (and maybe a yoga mat, depending on whether you have the space to store it when not working out), you can also complete a wide variety of exercises, including mountain climbers, burpees, crunches and more.
Some additional options include good, old-fashioned workout staples like squats and lunges – you don’t need a single thing (except a few feet of open space) to add these moves into your workout.
And, one last thing, if you live in a multi-story complex, like The Fairmount or 500 Pearl, there are always flights of stairs that can be used to squeeze a little extra fitness into your regular, on-the-go routine.
4. Research Low Impact Options.
While working out is an admirable habit, and one that will improve your overall quality of life, you don’t want to go overboard and make enemies of your neighbors.
If you have residents living downstairs/below you, it can make sense to research low impact workouts, so you’re not stomping, marching and jumping on their ceiling during your 5 a.m. Zumba video workout.
Low impact workouts may involve using additional resistance equipment, like stretchy bands, or doing more repetitions of a particular exercise, so you can build up a slow burn and tone your muscles.
5. Select an Apartment that Includes a Fitness Program.
While working out at home is great, sometimes it can feel good to be part of a fitness community and to have additional options for staying fit when you’re starting to get cabin fever in your apartment.
Ellicott Square Fitness is a great option for Buffalo residents, because it’s convenient to downtown and because the gym frequently offers special promotions to Ellicott Apartments residents.
When you’re part of a program like this one, you might even be able to sync up with a neighbor in your complex and become workout buddies/accountability partners.
6. Find Outdoor Areas that Work for You, So You Can Vary Your Routine.
There are plenty of cold days in Buffalo, days when you’re going to want to stay in your apartment and workout in comfort, rather than while fighting your way through the cold.
Fortunately, there are also a good number of beautiful, sunny, temperate days that Buffalo residents can enjoy. And you’ll enjoy them all the more if you’re spending part of them working out, being healthy and boosting your endorphin levels.
Delaware Park, for example, is a wonderful park that can be enjoyed for all types of leisure activities. It’s a great place to stay fit, too, with trails, scenery and several different types of sports courts.
Residents of apartment complexes like 905 Elmwood can enjoy the scenic route to the park, spend time exploring on foot, and then return home. They’ll feel like they’ve just had a fun afternoon outing, not like they’ve trudged through a long workout.
If you’re committed to working out, you’ll find a way, no matter how large or how small your space is. However, even with a small space, you have plenty of options available to keep fit and enjoy living your best, healthiest life in Buffalo.
