HIS & HERS SHARES SOME TIPS FOR TURNING YOUR HOME INTO A MUCH MORE FUN VERSION OF THE GYM TO GET FIT WITHOUT GETTING FED UP!
If you’re like most people, the idea of spending hours in the gym is less than appealing. Running for what seems like forever on the treadmill just isn’t the ideal way of getting fit, and it’s likely that you won’t go at all if you’re not enjoying some aspect of your workout. However, getting fit doesn’t have to be all sweat and tears. Exercise is anything that gets your heart rate up and your body moving. So, even if you’re simply taking a walk to the shops rather than driving, you’re giving your body a workout. Did you know that you can gain the body you’re after by being at home? Take a look at how you can use your home to get fit this year.
Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde
Create makeshift weights:
Believe it or not, you don’t need to have equipment in your home to have an effective workout. Whether you’re looking to tone your arms or build up some serious muscle, you can create makeshift weights from items around your home. So why not grab a tin of beans in each arm and give your arms a well deserved workout while watching television? If you really wanted to dedicate yourself to your workout, you could pop in a fitness DVD to follow along to as well.
If you’re looking to build up muscle rather than just tone your arms, why not get yourself something larger to work out with like bottled water, or even a couple of boulders from the garden. Anything that can be lifted can be used as a weight to aid your workout, so consider doing that over buying yourself some expensive equipment for your workouts!
Photo by Form
Who needs a stepping machine when you have stairs?
Have you ever wondered why people traIpse to the gym just to use the stepping machine? Running, jogging, or even walking up and down your stairs a few times will strengthen your legs and give you a very hearty workout. Why not use the techniques from above and do a few runs of your stairs with some weights to give yourself a brilliant workout.
You could also use your stairs to help aid other workouts too like press ups or if you wanted to give your butt and thighs a good workout. Just remember to make sure the path is clear before using the stairs!
Use furniture to your advantage
Like with using stairs, you can also use furniture to your advantage to help aid your exercise regime. Check it out:
- Tuck your feet underneath your sofa or armchairs to help aid you with sit ups.
- Use side cabinets to do push ups and other arm exercises.
- If you’ve got furniture that’s regularly moved like a dining table, use the opportunity to your advantage and see how much you can lift it from the floor. Just be careful not to hurt yourself!
- Use ottomans, chairs, sofas and pretty much anything else that you can sit on to workout your arms with some chair dips.
There are so many different exercises that you could do simply using your furniture at home, so there’s no need to rush out and buy yourself the latest home gym equipment.
Make home improvements
One of the greatest ways of working out (without even realising it too) is by doing some good old home improvements. So, whether you’re choosing to mow the lawn at a faster pace, or you’re giving your arms a good workout by restuffing your couch with eFoam, you could be giving yourself an incredible workout. Check out these other ideas on how you could be exercising while improving your home:
- Chopping wood from a tree you’ve removed will give your whole body a great workout, but your arms will benefit the most.
- Digging your garden will burn calories much faster than you think!
- Building new pieces of furniture for your home will give you an all over workout!
- Climbing a ladder will test your balance and give your core, legs, butt and arms a really intense workout.
- Painting your home will workout your upper body more than you realise.
Kill two birds with one stone
There aren’t many people in the world that enjoy housework and chores, and much like exercise, it can be monotonous and left until it really needs doing. Why not kill two birds with one stone and exercise while you’re doing your household chores:
- Vamping up the vacuuming a little by throwing in some dancing or kicking up the pace will have you red faced and working out in no time.
- Doing leg exercises while you’re stood doing the washing up will distract you from the annoying chore and also do your legs the world of good.
- Put some music on and make it so that dusting actually becomes fun. Throw some shapes while you’re cleaning!
- Taking the bins out one by one will up your step count and if you pick up the pace a little, will have your heart rate up!
- Cleaning out the loft means many trips up and down, and possibly some heavy lifting. Give yourself a workout by clearing the loft and make yourself some money at the same time!
Have fun
Who says that working out has to be all serious? As mentioned earlier, working out is anything that gets your heartbeat up and feel slightly out of breath. So, rather than concentrating on getting the perfect workout in…have some fun! Invite your friends over for a catch up, and get the wii out for some activity fuelled fun! Alternatively, you could head into town and rock the dancefloor all evening! You can get a workout from having fun, so take advantage of every opportunity!
As you can see, you don’t need to head to the gym to get the workout that your body needs – you can simply stay at home! Try these ideas to turn your regular routines into an opportunity to burn off some calories at home today!
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with eFoam. Related features: These are our top summer yoga classes in Liverpool.
