9 Ways to Spice Up Your Workout Without Gym Time
By Reilly Chaffin
Tired of doing the same workout three times a week? So bored that you don’t even want to take the time and energy to get into the car and drive to the gym? Don’t worry, you’re in luck. Add these easy tips to spice up your workout in your own home!
Hula-Hoop
Not only does hula-hooping challenge your balance and coordination, but it also burns calories and helps tone your abdomen. Invest in a Hula-Hoop and get those hips moving!
TV Exercise
Watching your news in the morning? Get off the couch and exercise. Do push-ups or crunches during commercials and squats during the show. This is helpful for us busy parents who love to multi-task!
Dance
Turn on that music and start dancing. To incorporate toning exercises, repeat moves and add props. For example, do side lunges to the beat of a song as your lift your lightweight dumbbell. Try doing the same exercises for the majority of the song and keep up with the rhythm of the music to increase your heart rate.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is the an amazing form of cardio that’s often forgotten about. Not only does jumping rope burn calories, but it also challenges your coordination and keeps your mind engaged. You can also change up the way you jump to target different muscle groups. For example, jump on one leg for an extended period, then switch.
Remember Your Childhood
When we were 5 years old, we didn’t think to ourselves, “Darn! I have to exercise today.†Instead, we just went outside and played! Don’t forget that this is always an option -- especially for those with children. Play basketball, kick a soccer ball, ride your bike, or even just play freeze tag to enjoy family time and get fit.
Keep Equipment at Home
Donate some closet space to some weights, a jump rope, and a medicine ball. This way, you have the ability to do different types of exercises at your own convenience.
Invite Your Friends
Have a neighbor or old friend you've been trying to find the time to see? Invite them over and take a walk around your neighborhood together as you reminisce about the good old days. Talking while exercising challenges your stamina and helps make the time fly.
Incorporate Your Chores
Feeling like you can't in get a workout because you have too much to do? Don't worry. A big fan of multi-tasking myself, I look for ways to get things done. Next time you're vacuuming or sweeping, double the speed in which you do the chore. This will increase your heart rate, but it will take you less time to complete the chore.
Do It in the Morning
Right when you wake up in the morning, do one of the simple at-home tricks I mentioned above. That way, you won't worry about getting your workout in for the rest of the day. In addition, working out in the morning increases your metabolism for the rest of the day!
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Amarillo, Tex.