Friday, January 27

Easy, stay-at-home workout

I promised to post doable, family-friendly, time-is-precious workout ideas quite awhile ago. Well, as you can see, it didn't happen because I forgot :)

But between writing up index entries for my latest editing project, I find myself taking a break to move around and work in a few, quick exercises. They're really simple exercises, but great for clearing your head, waking up, or getting your heart rate up.  All the normal disclaimers go along with this. Use common sense. Don't try any of these if you just had a baby, if you're in crutches, or if you're in ridiculously good shape ;)

Easy as 1, 2, 3 circuit

Stretch - First, do a few stretches (your choice) to warm up your arms and chest.
Push-ups - Next, using proper form (suck your stomach in, tighten your legs, keep your butt on level with your back, dropping down so that your arms make an L), do as many push-ups as you can in a minute. That can be 2 or 50, depending your fitness level. If you can't do them on your toes, drop to your knees.
Crunches - Work your abs. You can do leg raises, bicycle crunches, or sit-ups. Again, do as many as you can. Do it until your abs hurt. Try to keep it up for at least 1 minute. It takes a lot more movement to tire out your abs.
Cardio - Your choice. For 1 minute, do high knees, jump rope, jumping jacks, butt kicks, running in place, or some combination thereof (listed in order of difficulty). It's hardest if you stick to one move for the whole minute. Don't cheat and stop during that minute. 
Take a minute break to stretch and move around. Then repeat the circuit at least one more time, and then as many times as you feel like (or don't!).

1 comment:

  1. Thanks Maria! I think my problem is just having the motivation to do this ever, way to go!!

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