What do you do when your money is tight and your clothes are a little too snug? Oftentimes our fitness pursuits will fall to the wayside. Fitness should always be an investment and can still be part of the budget even when money is an issue. Here are 5 great indoor exercises that you can do at home to help tighten your belt (without squeezing your wallet):
1. The Push Up – Begin in a “plank” position, hands on the floor shoulder width apart and legs about hip width apart or wider (to reduce the intensity). Firm your abdominals and draw the thighs toward the sky to keep the body flat like a board. As you inhale lower the body toward the floor evenly and on the exhale push up to starting position. Check out my video Push Up for some interesting variations.
2. The “Chair” Squat – Stand a few inches away from a chair, as if you were about to sit down. As you inhale, bend your knees and lower your hips down so that they hover a couple of inches away from the chair (you know you’ve gone far enough when your legs begin to engage). Exhale as you press through the feet and firm your gluteus maximus (aka “glutes”) to lift yourself up to a standing position. If balance becomes an issue extend your arms toward the wall in front of you as you lower your hips. Make sure to keep your toes and knees pointing forward. Check out my video Creative Total Body Sculpt for a fun variation.
3. The Reverse Lunge – Stand with feet hip width apart. Lift your right foot off the floor and extend it, allowing the ball of the right foot to touch the floor a few feet behind you. Slowly bend both knees to allow for a ninety-degree bend in the front and back leg. Once you feel your legs engage press through the front foot and bring yourself to a standing position. Repeat with the left leg. Check out my video Dynamic Power Workout for more advanced variations.
4. Pilates Side Kicks – This classic series is amazing for sculpting lean thighs and firm abdominals. Check out my video Pilates Side Kicks for a demonstration.
5. Mountain Climbers – Begin in plank position; draw your right knee underneath the chest as you draw the abdominals toward the spine. Extend the right leg back to plank position and repeat on the left side. Continue switching sides at a controlled and rhythmic pace. Check out my video Training Session for a demonstration.
