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Some days, it’s just
really difficult to go outside, especially in the winter months. It can be
rainy or cold, and the sun may already set by the time you get off work. Here are 10 ideas for ways you can exercise
indoors at home for free or on the cheap.
- Jump Rope - About a minute into
jumping rope, I was literally out of breath. I only made it a few minutes, and
my calves were killing me the next day.
If you want a good cardio workout in a
matter of minutes, try a jump rope.
- Stair Stepping - Stair stepping is a
great exercise to do in your home, even if you don’t have a set of stairs
available. Find the biggest book you own (or a sturdy chair), put it in front
of the TV, and step up and down while watching your favorite show. You may not
work up a sweat like you would with a jump rope, but you will be keeping your
body active and healthy.
- The Plank - If you don’t have a lot
of time, but you want to build up your core muscles, this is the exercise for
you. Get into a push-up position, but instead of bending your arms & moving
down towards the floor, hold the position with your arms extended. Start off
holding the position for 30 seconds, & add 10 seconds every day.
- Lunges - I was in a workout class a few years ago, and one of the
exercises was to do lunges down the hallway. Instead of stepping back into
place, we would step forward, and we would continue until we made it all the
way down the hallway and back. I could always feel the intense burn in my legs
with this workout.
- Cleaning - Cleaning can be very physical, especially vacuuming and
mopping. If you are unable to go out one day to ride your bike or go for a run,
set up a house cleaning schedule and clean your house instead.
- Water Bottle Weights - If you are looking to do some arm, shoulder, and back
strength training, you can make your own weights by filling up water bottles.
If using water bottles becomes too easy, use milk jugs. You can tailor the
exercise to your level by filling the jugs to the exact weight that you need. For
a greater challenge, increase the water amount just a little bit each time you
workout.
- High
Knees - Instead of running in place, I’ve found that
high knees can really get your heart pumping, especially if you go double time.
To do this exercise, march in place or down a hall, and bring your knees as
high as they can go.
- Jumping
Jacks - This is another elementary school throwback,
but it offers a great cardio workout. If you are watching a TV show, get up
during the commercials and do a round of jumping jacks. (Adopted from www.moneycrashers.com)