How to find the right programming for you and your home gym

We talk about this often, but programming is an integral part of executing your dream home gym and reaching your goals. It’s not always easy to find the best programming for you, your goals, and your equipment, so we’ve got some tips to help you find the perfect workout plan to reach your goals and exceed them.

Consider your “why”

First, you should be honest with yourself: why are you doing the things you’re doing? Why are you reaching for the goals you’ve set for yourself? There are obviously a multitude of reasons why that might be, especially because there are many, many different goals one can have for working on themselves in their garage gym.

Setting your “why” in stone helps create concrete goals, which in turn can be helpful in finding programming that’s going to help you reach them.

Set your goals

Next, although you might’ve had some goals in mind when affirming your “why,” it’s important to narrow those goals down and pinpoint the one you’ll be reaching for with the programming you choose next.

Are you looking to get stronger? Stronger legs, stronger upper body, stronger core, even? How about fat loss? Maybe you’d like more endurance or speed?

All of those things will require different programming. While there might be some overlap in the strength, fat loss, endurance and speed departments as you improve as a whole, there needs to be specificity in the programming you’re executing to make sure each workout is helping you reach your goals instead of just taking a shot in the dark and hoping for the best.

Do your research

Now that your “why” and your goals are set, it’s time to do some research. Do some research on programming for your goals, like “workout program for fat loss,” but swap out your specific goal. There are bound to be many, many programs that come up in your search, and it’s important to dive deeper than just going for the first one that comes up on Google. Find a few that look like good contenders, and save your list.

Now, it’s time to do some research on your top programs. It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another, so while reviews are very important here, they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Consider your equipment, time allowance, and intensity

During your research, equipment needed, time requirements, and intensity should absolutely be considered. It’s super inconvenient and frustrating when trying to complete a program you don’t have the equipment for, the time for, and if the intensity is far greater or lower than what you’re looking for, that’s a bummer and can be unmotivating, too. When aligning your goals, intensity and time allowance should be set along with your initial goal so you can find an awesome option for programming that meets your needs and doesn’t create more frustration than motivation.

Once you’ve considered these things, done your research, and narrowed down your options, choose the one that works best for you.

Now, make it fun

Once you’ve done your research and set your sights on the number one program for your current goals, it’s time to sprinkle in a little fun. Maybe this means new equipment to get you motivated, new clothes, or bringing in a workout buddy to complete the workouts and grind through the program with you. Plus, the addition of new equipment or gear for your home gym can bring you one step closer to your ultimate dream gym.

Maybe you'll gift yourself a set of bumper plates, a new barbell, or a spiffy new squat rack. These items are awesome motivators when starting out in a new workout program.

Take the time to give yourself the highest possible chance of working through and being successful at your programming. Whatever that “fun” element means to you, it’s important to give yourself that little spark that you’ll need when programming gets dull and sometimes hard to complete. It’s not always going to be glamorous, easy, or fun, but the satisfaction that comes with finishing a program you’ve chosen and working toward, and ultimately achieving, your goals is unmatched.

If you have more questions about finding the right programming, the right equipment, or the right place to start, send us a message or comment below! We’re always happy to help you lift heavy and improve your life through strength.

We have an awesome resource for you: check out our private Garage Gym Revolution Facebook group. Questions surrounding programming, home gyms, equipment, and more are all fair game. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by a positive community of like minded individuals who are also looking to improve their lives through strength.

As always, find a great program for you and your goals, and lift heavy, lift happy :)