One simple way to fit exercise into your busy week is to work out at home, and if you have an elliptical or a treadmill even better. In reality though, it is not that simple. Just living in the same house as a cardio machine or being in the same room as a set of dumbbells [1] does not guarantee you will get exercise. Workout gear provides the challenge; you provide the motivation.

This dilemma of not exercising at home even when you have the exercise equipment has been the subject of some recent studies [2]. The conclusion makes sense: Setting unrealistic goals, then not meeting those goals creates dissatisfaction, the dissatisfaction keeps people from working out regularly. The trick is to set realistic goals and to also realize that exercising, even at home, means you have less time for other important activities like watching TV, sleeping, or surfing the Internet. Yes, there are trade offs, but when you rally you feel so much better.

Now tell me honestly, how often do you work out at home [3]?

Source [4]