How to Work Out in an Upstairs Apartment (Quietly)


If you are wondering how to exercise in your apartment without disturbing the neighbors, realize there are several noise reducing options to exercise and workout quietly.

The “key” to a quiet workout in an upstairs apartment is to do exercises that make a minimal amount of noise. Use bodyweight related exercise equipment to keep your exercises as quiet as possible.

You could even go for a no equipment, no noise workout by using some of the tips below.

As an upstairs neighbor working out, use these 9 tips to keep your workout as quiet as possible.

How to Work Out in an Upstairs Apartment

1. Use Noise Reducing Exercise Mat for Apartment

The first way to quietly workout in an upstairs apartment is by using a noise reducing exercise mat.

With a noise and shock reducing mat, you’ll be able to exercise quietly without disturbing your neighbors.

A padded mat will keep your steps soft and your exercise noise minimalized.

This yoga mat by Ewedoos is thick, soft, eco friendly, includes a strap, and will keep your workouts as quiet as possible.


2. Do Quiet Exercises

There are several exercises you can do to workout quietly.

Do exercises like squats, lunges, pushups, shoulder presses, and exercises that don’t require a lot of stepping movements.

Do holding exercises like planks and wall squats and any exercise where you keep the weight in one position for an extended amount of time.  

If you want to do cardio in the comfort of your apartment, get a rowing machine or elliptical.

These are going to be better than a Stairmaster or treadmill which will be noising as you do a lot of floor pounding steps.


3. Don’t Jump

One of the biggest no-no’s if you’re in an upper level apartment is jumping.

Jumping jacks, jumping rope, high knees and anything that causes your feet to hit the floor are off limits if you want to keep the peace with your neighbor.

If you need to do some intense cardio, do it outside and do the remainder of your workout in your apartment.


4. Use a Weight Vest

A great way to add a lot of resistance to your workout without having to buy squat racks, barbells, and bumper plates is with the use of a weight vest.

A weight vest will challenge you when doing squats, lunges, pushups and pullups.

These are easy to slip on and off and provide your body with the resistance it needs to properly build muscle.

One of my favorite weight vests is this one by Aduro.

Coming in 6 different weights, this weight vest for men and women of all ages.

It comes with a mesh pocket and a lifetime limited warranty.


5. Use Resistance Bands

A good way to work out quietly is with the use of resistance bands.

You can wrap these around a pull, stand on them, pull them apart, and do many things to give yourself a challenging and quiet workout.

Resistance bands paired with weights make the lift more challenging at the top of the lift and work the entire extent of the muscle.

These Whatafit resistance bands are perfect for making your workout as quiet as possible.

Coming in different colors, weights, lengths and sizes, these quality material bands are multifunctional, portable, and suitable for daily use.


6. Use Kettlebells

If you want to work out quietly in an upstairs apartment, use kettlebells to exercise.

You can use these for kettbell swings, squats, Romanian deadlifts, shoulder presses, and Turkish giddups.

A kettlebell workout is a great way to exercise your quads, glutes, hamstrings, back, and shoulders.

Some of the best kettlebells on the market are these Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Kettlebells.

You can rapidly switch from weight to weight, go up to 40 pounds, and have an ergonomic handle with durable molding around metal plates.


7. Do Yoga

What’s quieter that doing a series of holds in a yoga workout.

Yoga is quiet in nature and will help you workout without disturbing your neighbors.

Yoga can be intense and challenging and will help you build muscle, endurance, and flexibility.

It is not for the weak.


8. Use Gliders

One of the quietist pieces of exercise equipment is the glider.

Great for lunges, planks, mountain climbers, and many other exercises, the glider is the perfect piece of exercise equipment to keep your workout challenging and silent.

Gliders are going to challenge your excessory muscles while giving your major muscle groups an unstable and difficult workout.

I absolutely love these gliders by SKLZ.

They are dual sided, low friction, non marking, are safe for all floors including hardwood, tile and courts, are super quiet and help strengthen your legs and core.


9. Use a TRX Suspension Trainer

One of the best and quietist noise reducing pieces of exercise equipment is the TRX suspension trainer.

You can simply connect this piece of exercise equipment to your doorframe and get to exercising.

TRX provides for a challenging workout and suspension training is one of the best ways to work your body.

Every person should have the all in one TRX suspension trainer.

Made with strong material, these suspension straps allow you to work every body part, in the comfort of your home.

This set comes with a wall mount, shaker bottle, and resistance bands.


10. Don’t Drop the Weights

Last, if you decide to workout in an upstairs apartment and don’t want to disturb the neighbors, don’t drop the weights!!

This could be the worst thing you can do to get you on your neighbors’ bad side.

Be kind and set the weights down softly when you are done using them.

Then again, you could use one of the pieces of equipment from above to avoid using the weights all together.


Summary: How to Work Out in an Upstairs Apartment

If you are looking to give yourself a full body workout at home with no jumping, make sure you get the best noise reducing exercise mat, do exercises that are naturally quiet, do Yoga, and use exercise equipment that allow you to exercise with minimal noise. Keeping the peace with your neighbors is key when living in an apartment. Be smart about how you workout and you’ll healthier and your neighbors won’t be knocking on your door, ceiling, or floor.

Recent Posts