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Sometimes it can be difficult to leave the house, especially when it’s your day off or if you just feel like being a shut out that day (or you’re on lockdown!). Another reason could be the weather, maybe it’s too hot or too cold or maybe it’s raining and your favorite hike path is slippery and flooded. Sure, you can just go to a gym but some people don’t have memberships and even if you do, it’s nice to be in your own home to work out from time to time, your own personal gym. Indoor workouts are completely free and easy to do, so they can get into the habit of exercising regularly without feeling like it’s a lot of work.
Why Complete Indoor Workouts
Regardless of the reasons, there are still many effective ways to get a good workout in your own home. Many people assume you can’t get a full proper workout in your living room or garage and that’s not true. It takes a lot less than one might think to break a sweat and get a great workout. Working out at home is also great because you don’t have to worry about people watching you, maybe even judging, you don’t need to worry about feeling embarrassed for taking a break mid-workout due to exhaustion, it’s a worry-free environment we call home. Here are 5 types of exercises you can do at home that are guaranteed to give you a great workout.
1. Push-Ups
Push-ups are a great way to build upper body strength and build your triceps, pecs, and shoulders. They are one of the most simple forms of exercise that anyone with even one arm can do. A great thing about push-ups is that they can be done virtually anywhere and requires no gym or workout equipment. you can literally wake up, roll over and start doing them. Doing 50-100 push-ups a day will train your upper body and increase your body’s tolerance of weight resistance. A proper pushup requires one to keep their back straight so that it is in a straight line with no back arch whatsoever, and then begin to push yourself up and down. If you find that your feet slip, just place them against any wall in your house. Making a routine of this will undoubtedly show results in no time.
2. Squats
Squats are an easy exercise to perform that simultaneously work out, major muscle groups. They exercise almost every core, lower abdomen, and leg muscles. Doing squats is another exercise that you can do anywhere with no equipment. They burn fat, strengthen muscles, and helps your metabolism. Doing as little as 50 squats per day will improve your health, the shape of your legs, and bum. You’ll definitely notice you look different in those leggings. In as little as a month with a regular squatting routine, you’ll notice that flight of stairs isn’t as exhausting as it used to be, or that walk from the office to the parking garage didn’t even phase you, or picking up that pen you dropped won’t make you grunt like you’re about to pick up a car. Performing a proper squat requires your feet to be slightly placed wider than your hips, keeping chest upwards, shift your weight onto your heels as you go down, and you’ll have to make sure your thighs are parallel to the ground before you go back up.
3. Jump Rope
You can pick up a jump rope for under $10 and find that it is one of the most rewarding exercises. Ever wonder why boxers always do it? It improves your coordination by having you focus on your feet. It’s perfect for training yourself to be light on your feet, you aren’t paying attention but your mind knows that it has to time your feet to get over that rope every 2 seconds. Jumping rope will increase your foot and ankle muscles preventing injuries. You can jump rope almost anywhere and it can fit in your pocket or backpack. It will burn calories than running. Dedicating as little as 30 minutes a day to jumping rope will increase your endurance and will help keep your heart healthy. Jumping rope produces a lot of sweat very quickly, so wear a comfortable and durable tank-top and some light bottoms.
4. Sit-ups
Sit-ups are yet another great exercise you can do literally anywhere. It’s a simple and efficient core exercise that is very rewarding. The term “sit up” is often confused with crunches but they are actually different exercises even though they have the same starting position. Crunches require you to lift your shoulders and back at a faster rate but shorter stride. Sit-ups require one to lift their entire torso at a slower rate which in turn increases endurance. Sit-ups are known to be the workout responsible for 6 pack abs that everyone dreams of having. Sit-ups are a bodyweight exercise that improves stamina and strength. They work out muscles in your legs, core, and back. Sit-ups also improve your balance and posture, there really is no downside to these, they can only help you.
5. Burpee Indoor Workouts
Burpees burn fat as fast as they build muscle. It is one of the most dreaded exercises but that’s because it’s good for you. It’s a high-intensity exercise that improves cardiovascular function, aerobic fitness, and blood sugar. You’ll work your arms, chest, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and abs. It’s a great way to get in shape quickly if done daily. Burpees also require no equipment so you can do them anywhere inside your home or wherever you feel comfortable. To perform a burpee, start from standing position, drop into a squat with your hands on the ground in front of your feet, then kick your feet back behind you whilst keeping your arms extended so you are in a plank position, then kick your feet forward as you jump back up with your arms straight upwards above you. It’s a rather simple exercise that will tire you quickly but will condition you to the max.
You may not be able to go out all of the time, but that shouldn’t prevent you from staying healthy. Simple indoor workouts should be part of your overall health plan and should be scheduled regularly. Looking for other ways to stay well? Read our review on organic produce and learn how you can easily get all of the nutrition you need!
I hate burpees with a passion my knees cant stand them
I know what you mean! They are pretty rough on the knees. Maybe try taking the hop out?
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Much needed! I have been in a rut since the gyms closed. Thanks for the reminder of what I could do instead.
I’m so glad it helped! I’ve been trying to do everything I can to get some exercise in, even if it’s going up and down the basement steps, reorganizing the house. Stay well!