From shifting excess weight to boosting heart health, most of us recognize that exercise, along with eating well, is the key to a healthy lifestyle. However, between busy schedules and financial constraints, committing to a gym membership is not always practical. Fortunately, there are plenty of home workouts that will keep you just as fit and can be done at your own convenience. Here are some fun and highly effective exercises to kick-start your home fitness regime.
Cycling
Cycling is one of the most effective ways to burn calories, increase muscle tone and improve cardiovascular fitness – and doesn’t require any real skill. An exercise bike is an easy way to incorporate short bursts of training into your daily routine and is suitable for practically all levels of fitness, be it while watching TV or reading a book. Take a look at Hammer for a varied range of versatile and affordable models.
A Virtual Fitness Program
If you’re more of a lone wolf than a social butterfly when it comes to working out, the thought of an exercise class is probably not that appealing. Thanks to the internet, you can still take part in some of the more fun activities, such as Zumba, in the comfort of your own home (minus the spectators). There is an unlimited world of online fitness videos on YouTube at your fingertips, so it’s easy to keep your workout varied and enjoyable.
Hula-hooping
The hula-hoop has to be one of the most simple yet versatile workout tools, and the fitness benefits may surprise you. As well as working out the core muscles, hula-hooping improves flexibility, balance, motor skills and coordination, and is especially effective for toning the problematic stomach area and realigning the spine. All you need is a clear space in which to move freely, and an adult-sized hula-hoop – try a weighted hoop for a more intense workout.
Yoga
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this trendy pastime is reserved for expensive classes and swanky studios. In reality, all you need is a yoga mat and, if you are a novice, some initial guidance from YouTube, once again. From the privacy of your living room, you can enjoy the benefits of yoga – improved bone health, increased blood flow and lower blood pressure, to name a few – without setting foot outside.
