If you’re looking to improve your fitness, lose some weight or just tone up, you’ve probably considered signing up to your local gym. However, it’s not always easy to commit when it comes to memberships. Registering is the straight-forward part, but before you know it, you’re in a complicated relationship with the sales representative who keeps calling to ask why you’ve not been in the last one, two or seven months. And that’s not the only thing that might be holding you back.
Like many of us, you might not be super confident when it comes to exercising in public. It takes guts to approach the weights section, trust me – I know. Or, maybe it’s not even that – maybe your 9 to 5 is so intense that you just don’t have the time or energy to work up a sweat on the treadmill. So, why not work out at home?
It’s easy to open your front door, pull off your clothes and climb into something more comfortable (like pajamas or your bed) when you’ve been at work all day. Change up your routine, and try out these little exercise moves when you get back this evening. They’re easy to do, and the best part? You can do them from the comfort of your living room. No clingy gym reps required.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1) The floor
2) A chair
3) You
The wall-sit
Okay, as well as your body and the floor you’re also going to need a wall. Stand with your back against one, before sliding yourself down into a squat position with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Simply stay in this position for as long as you can, and, well - you’ll feel the rest.
The triceps dip
While sat on the edge of a chair, roll your shoulders as low down as you can to ensure your posture is good. Place your hands directly below your shoulders and on to the front of the chair. Then, while inhaling, stretch your legs out, slightly bent, before lowering your hips and bending your elbows to move your body downwards to the ground. Exhale as you extend your elbows and rise back up. Do 12-15 reps and complete three sets.
The side plank
Using a mat, turn on to left your side, keeping your legs together, and extended in a straight line. Resting your hip on the ground, and with your feet on top of one another, prop your left elbow under your shoulder and contract your core. Lift your hips and knees up and away from the floor – hold this pose for as long as you can before gently lowering your body back down to the ground.
Image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska
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