Getting exercise without going to the gym? Is that even possible? It is, and it can even be rather fun. Staying active is so important to keep a positive mindset. If you currently don’t have access to your local gym, we understand how hard it can be for you to keep your routine going with such an interruption. Working out releases endorphins which can give you an overall feeling of well-being. You’d be surprised how many different ways you can get exercise while staying at home or even simply just getting outside. Fall in love with bettering yourself- without even leaving the house!
Lace-up your shoes and head outside! Running is such a great way to get on your feet and pass the time. Running outside is great because you can either challenge yourself or run for complete leisure. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and even try a new route each day. You’ll discover short cuts and backroads you’ve never knew existed. Hills can be your new best friend if you use the incline to your advantage! Lunge, run or even walk up hills to really feel the burn.
My favorite way to get exercise when staying at home is to walk my dog. I absolutely love getting out and spending time in the fresh air, but going alone gets, well, lonely. Test your pup’s limits. How far can you take him? Try a little longer each day. Try taking him uphill, downhill, on trails, in the woods, on the beach, walk him anywhere. I usually walk my dog for around three to five miles each day. Exhausting, yes, but so worth it. You’ll get great exercise and get to spend quality time with your furry best friend.
Every day should start with a quick morning yoga session. Yoga is so easy to do in the comfort of your own home, whether you follow along to YouTube or other yoga class videos, you follow a guide, or you just try out different yoga positions. Yoga is very beneficial as it increases flexibility, muscle strength/tone, improves your energy and respiration, and even protects you from injuries. Many runners practice yoga after they complete a run to help cool down after. Click here for some at-home yoga videos!
I love following along to workout videos. Whether it’s for stretching, body-weight exercises, or workouts with small equipment such as weights or resistance bands, they really make you break a sweat. There are a variety of workout lengths, ranging from just 10 minutes up to an hour. All you need is a small space to complete your workouts, and your own small equipment if you prefer using that over bodyweight workouts. MadFit is my go-to virtual trainer when I workout from home.
Not everybody has a full set of weights in their house, and if you do, consider yourself lucky. But hey, there’s still hope for the rest of us! You’ll just need to get creative. Search your fridge, is there any full gallons of milk? A bottle of wine? Full juice/milk/water gallons are great to use as weights. You can hold them in your hands as you squat or lunge, or use them to curl as you tone your arms. If you want to get really creative, attach full water jugs to a pole and use it as a barbell weight! You’ll be gaining muscle in no time.
Biking is so much fun and a great form of exercise, so what are you doing inside? Biking increases your cardiovascular fitness while strengthening and toning your muscles. Make your rides fun by taking routes with a lot of downhill, but of course, you’ll need the uphill to really feel the burn. Push your gears as hard as they can go to really challenge yourself during your ride. Of course, change up your route each day so you don’t get bored! Where will you be headed?
You’re guaranteed a great workout with your own little fitness area. Designate a spot in your house to work out whether it’s in your basement, your den, or even in the corner of your bedroom. Leave all of your water bottles, weights, bands, ropes, etc. in this area so it’s always in reach as you exercise. If you own a cardio machine such as a treadmill or an elliptical, try to plan your fitness area around where that’s located, or if you’re really up for a challenge, move it to the room of your choice. Of course, you’ll want a mirror nearby so you can check on your progress each time you workout.
Jumping rope is such an underrated workout. It’s so great for your body and can be done almost anywhere. I prefer jumping rope outside, so I’m able to spread out as much as I need. You will burn major calories doing this exercise, and it helps improve your breathing and coordination. According to WellandGood, “10 minutes of jumping equals a 30-minute run.” You will fall in love with this workout and should add it to your everyday routine.
Just dance, but not the Lady Gaga song. Just Dance is a fun and tiring Wii game that allows you to bop till you drop. In this game, you follow along to dancers and see which of your friends can hit the most moves. My favorite is Just Dance 2. With songs like “Toxic,” “Girlfriend,” and “Walk Like an Egyptian,” you won’t ever want to put the remote down. There is also the original Just Dance, Just Dance 3, 4, and many other versions. You’re guaranteed to break a sweat (and most likely be drenched) by the time you decide to call it quits. Click here to order yours.
Instead of just using them to get from floor to floor, incorporate stairs as a part of your workout! Lunge up them, squat up them, don’t be afraid to get creative. Stair climbing burns fat and calories and tones and strengthens your muscles. So, for those of you that adore your gyms StairMaster, this is the workout for you. For a sweaty, at-home stair workout that targets your butt, legs, and core, click here!
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