Most people believe in a myth that by enrolling in a gym or engaging in vigorous outdoor physical activities are the only options for getting enough exercise and being fit. Well, actually, the truth here is there are lots of exercises at home you can do.
One of the exercises that raise the heart beat and that can increase the amount of calories burnt is a cardiovascular exercise. Burning calories means melting away fats and adipose tissue. A treadmill at home really helps because you can just jog in place. You can also try jogging around the house a couple of minutes. Or do jumping rope, which is also a great cardiovascular exercise. This exercise is a total body workout that needs only small amount of space but maximizes your cardiac output.
Dancing around your living room is also a very easy way to burn those excess calories off. You can do this while watching television or even while listening to the radio or to your music player. Since this is a total body workout, more calories are also burned even if only done in a short amount of time and in a restricted space.
You can also use household items as tools for focused strengthening exercises at home. You can make your own dumbbells by using plastic water bottles, so do not throw them right away. You just have to fill those bottles with water, sand, or pebbles, then voila! As a rule, you have to use smaller weights or in this case, smaller bottles, when you are just beginning your fitness regimen, and then increase the weight later on.
Remember those P.E. exercises we do when we were young? These traditional exercises can pack a punch when done regularly. You’ll see those flabby muscles going in shape with squat thrusts, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, and even wall punches.
Floor exercises such as hip lifts and leg lifts can also be done to tone up those leg muscles. The classic sit-ups or crunches can do wonders to tone the abdominal area and can be done at home with much ease. Air cycling can also tone the back muscles as well as the thighs and hips, and can also be done at home without the need for big, bulky machines. If you have an exercise ball at home, try to do the ball crunch. This also targets the abdominal area specially the external and internal oblique muscles. This is done by lying down on the exercise ball positioned on your lower or mid-back area. Using your stomach muscles, lift your shoulders off the ball then hold this position for a few seconds then go back to the starting position. Repeat this a few times and you’ll have rock-hard abs in no time.
And when while working on the computer or at your desk, do the toe exercise by pressing them in an up and down motion. This does a great deal toning your calf muscles and increasing the circulation in your legs as well.
Want more info on exercises to do at home to lose weight? Check out these home exercises for your body type.