No excuses New Year: 5 workouts you can do without leaving home
The holidays have come and gone – and one of your New Year’s resolutions may have been to spend less time in front of the TV, making more time for your fitness and health. While the festive season is wrapping up, the cold weather is still very much alive. The seasonal cold may be hindering your resolutions due to the desire to stay warm and cozy rather than braving the elements.
It’s always easier to stick to your resolutions when you remove deterrents like cold air and snowy treks. Here are five ways you can get fit without bundling up to brave the cold.
YouTube workouts
Yes, that’s right: YouTube can be used for more than watching squirrels surf or cats knock objects off counters. YouTube actually has a massive collection of exercise videos that require little to no equipment. Whether you’re looking for a low impact yoga video or a high intensity interval training routine, you’ll more than likely find something perfect. Plus the videos are often made with the knowledge that you’re working out at home — so they account for those who are getting their workout done in small spaces with little equipment.
7-minute workout app
If you haven’t already heard of the 7-minute workout, you need to look it up now. This app can be downloaded on your phone, giving you a timed, no equipment necessary workout. Just pick your “trainer” and hit go, you won’t regret it. The seven minutes of high intensity bodyweight exercises promise great results in a short amount of time. If you repeat the workout three times, you’ll fit in 21 minutes of full-body fitness. You’ll wrap up feeling shaky and out of breath, but so healthy.
Get creative
If you’re doing an at-home workout but don’t have any equipment in your apartment, worry not. You can get creative. Don’t have dumbbells? Use cans of soup. Missing a weighted plate for bridges? Use a heating bag or two to add resistance. You can use jugs of milk or laundry detergent for squats or chest presses. Start with something small like fresh produce and then add weight as you get comfortable. However, when using unconventional weights, be sure to practice proper, safe form so you don’t compromise your safety while having a bit of fun.
Invest in a mat and kettlebells
If you’ve never been a creative type, that’s OK too. You can invest in a cheap yoga mat and kettlebells on Amazon. Get them shipped to your door and start lifting. You can combine this equipment with the first tip and find plenty of great kettlebell workouts on YouTube for all experience levels. While it may not seem like much, this equipment will help you get the workout you want without braving the cold outdoors to get your sweat on.
Do yoga
Yoga is one of the best exercises to build resistance and endurance. As the ultimate practice in bodyweight strength training, yoga helps build muscle and tone while also improving your mood. Improved flexibility and building balance in both your physical and mental state are just a few of the other benefits of rolling out your mat and stretching it out. If you’re new to yoga, you can find some great beginner practices here — or if you’re not new to the practice but need a little extra inspiration, YouTube has numerous channels that will help you find a practice you can dig into, improving your fitness as you go.
What’s your favourite way to work out at home? Let us know by tweeting @YahooStyleCA.
