Exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, not everyone has the time and money for the gym. Luckily, there are very simple exercises that anyone can do at home, even while they are doing their chores or errands. We present some of these exercises below.
Walking
The body needs physical stimulation in order to have optimal blood circulation. Even an exercise as simple as walking can help a great deal. If you drive to work every morning, try parking further away from the entrance to get a brisk morning walk in before you start your workday. To keep things comfortable, get a nice pair of walking shoes. Don’t worry about looking too athletic, as many modern shoes are designed with both fashion and comfort in mind without sacrificing function.
Lunges
Lunges are an exercise that target several muscle groups, including your quads, hips, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. You may need to allocate more time for this exercise to ensure that you get your form right.
If you do not know how to do a lunge, you start by standing straight, with your feet and legs together. Make a big step forward with your right foot. Make sure that both feet are firmly planted on the ground. Once stabilized, bend your left knee until it almost touches the ground. Pause for a short while and then move back up, and repeat with your left foot.
Squats
Squats are among the most basic and effective exercises around. You can do squats while gardening or cleaning the lower portions of your walls or shelves. To get the most out of this exercise, you need to be mindful of your posture.
For proper execution, start by standing with your feet at least the width of your hips apart. Start engaging your muscles by slowly bringing your hips down and back as if you are about to sit on a chair behind you. At the same time, keep your chest lifted. Move downwards until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Pose for a moment, and then slowly move back up.
Pushups
Similar to lunges, pushups are a compound exercise, which means that they target several muscle groups. This exercise particularly works out the chest, shoulders, and the back of the forearms. It also engages the abdominal, back, and leg muscles.
To do a push up, start by lying face down on the mat. Put your hands directly below your shoulders. Make sure that your toes are the ones touching the ground. Your abdomen and legs should be engaged, meaning they are a bit tightened. Slowly use your hands to push the floor, bringing your whole body up without arching your back or bending your knee. Continue pushing until your elbows are only slightly bent. This counts as one repetition. Repeat for as many times as you can.
Now that obesity is on the rise, exercising has never been this significant for people of all ages. Many of the exercises listed above are simple, and can easily fit into your lifestyle, regardless of how busy you may be. Try doing these exercises and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of working out.