While gyms are great places to work out, they aren’t for everyone. Some people feel uncomfortable exercising in a crowded place, others are too lazy to leave the house, and that’s perfectly fine. There are tons of easy exercises you can do in your living room or backyard! (Sorry, no more excuses). From cardio to toning up, here are six ways to get going.
#1: Yoga
Yoga is terrific for your body and your mental health. It encompasses strength training with increased balance control and flexibility, and because it involves precise movements and breathing techniques, it reduces stress and anxiety. There are tons of ways to get started, and nearly every on-demand tv service offers a yoga channel for you to follow along. You can also find how-to videos online and stream them to your TV!
#2: Jump roping
You probably think of this as a child’s playground game, but jump roping is excellent cardio. It also increases hand-eye coordination, bolsters balance control, and is inexpensive to get started. Professional boxers use it to work out for a reason! It helps them hone their footwork skills and assures they step lightly in the ring. While boxers tend to jump rope for 15 minutes straight, you’ll want to start slowly and work your way up. Three minutes is a great goal, to begin with!
#3: Workout Routine
From squats to planks, setting up a workout routine in your living room is easy. You can alter the different moves to keep your routine fresh or keep the same routine over time. Either way, you’ll notice an increase in your muscle mass and a decrease in body fat if you stick to it. Beginners should watch how-to videos to ensure they’re doing the exercises correctly and start with shorter routines. Trying these workout routines without guidance can be dangerous and result in pulled muscles and other injuries. Always be sure to stretch before you start!
#4: Take the stairs
If you have stairs in your house, they’re a great way to get good cardio. Start by simply walking up and down them ten times, and then add in additional reps and up your speed. It’s a great way to burn calories and tone your thigh and calf muscles. The great thing about this exercise is you can do it any time! Even a few short jaunts up and down will get you closer to your goal.
#5: Clean your house
While this might not seem like a valid exercise, it is. Picking up, rearranging, sweeping, scrubbing, mopping, and cleaning windows all get you moving and stretching. The bonus of a spotless house can’t be discounted either! Adding this to your weekly workout routine is an excellent way to up your cardio, and then you can sit back and enjoy the results!
#6: Do yard work
Just like housework, this is another exercise that takes care of business and is excellent cardio. Mowing the lawn, weeding, spreading mulch, they all increase your heart rate and work your muscles out. If you want to add some extra work and ensure the best workout, don’t use a wheelbarrow for those mulch bags! Digging in the dirt to plant is another great way to exercise while in your yard, or you can create a rock garden with mini boulders, lugging them around until you’ve made a long-lasting and aesthetic environment.
