No Gym Necessary: Household Items That Are Fitness
Equipment In Disguise
If you haven’t had time to stock up on gym equipment, there’s no need to panic shop! You are surrounded by plenty of things that are gym equipment in disguise. You just have to use your imagination!
Home workouts are becoming more and more popular with all of the online resources and apps now available for streaming free workouts.
If you haven’t had time to stock up on gym equipment, there’s no need to panic shop! You are surrounded by plenty of things that are gym equipment in disguise. You just have to use your imagination!
To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of items in your home that you can use for at-home workouts!
1. Folding/Table Chairs
You can perform tricep dips without a workout bench! Find a folding chair (these are perfect because they're portable and durable) or if you don’t have one, a dinner table chair or living room seat will do just fine.
To do triceps dip, start by sitting on the chair with your hands at your sides. Extend your legs out and lift your torso about two inches in front of the chair. Lower down slowly until your elbows form a 90-degree angle, then press back to your starting position to complete 1 rep. Do as many desired reps as you would like!
Click here to see how to do tricep dips!
2. Backpack
Add resistance to your walk or local hike by filling a backpack with books, water bottles, or weights if you have them! Your weighted backpack now becomes a useful alternative to a weighted vest.
We recommend weighing your weighted backpack so that you can increase your weight steadily over time to build your resistance.
3. Towel + Door Handle
Rows are an excellent arm exercise and can be done simply with a towel and door handle. Wrap the towel around the handle and place your feet against the door. Lean back so that your arms extend straight and then pull yourself into the door. Lower back down and repeat.
4. Paper Plates
Paper plates are great for lunges! Start by standing on a hardwood floor (or tile) with a paper plate underneath your foot. Slide that leg back and bend your knee until your opposite knee bends at about a 90-degree angle. Slide back up. This is one lunge.
To see a paper plate lunge in action, click here!
5. Stairs
If you have a set of stairs in your home, you have tons of exercises available to you! Stairs are great for cardio and are perfect for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). You can run up and down the stairs for 30 seconds, and rest for 30 seconds. Repeat this a few times to create interval training.
You can also do a simple calf exercise by standing on the edge of a stair (hanging on to the railing) while your heels hang over. This is your starting position. Begin by standing on your tiptoes and then lower back down to your starting position.
6. The Wall
Using a wall during exercise can heighten the intensity of movements usually done on the floor. You can also expect an excellent challenge for your overall balance and stability.
You can do the traditional wall-sits (remember those from gym class?) or up the challenge with these challenging ab and leg workouts, all done with the use of a wall as your only equipment!
7. Large Sports Balls
If you don’t happen to have a medicine ball handy, a basketball, soccer ball, or volleyball will do! Add them to your core workout routine by balancing on them with your forearms during planks.
If you are interested in knowing more about the benefits of chiropractic care or whether or not it is the right treatment for you, schedule your New Patient Special!
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No Gym Necessary: Household Items That Are Fitness Equipment In Disguise
If you haven’t had time to stock up on gym equipment, there’s no need to panic shop! You are surrounded by plenty of things that are gym equipment in disguise. You just have to use your imagination!
Home workouts are becoming more and more popular with all of the online resources and apps now available for streaming free workouts.
If you haven’t had time to stock up on gym equipment, there’s no need to panic shop! You are surrounded by plenty of things that are gym equipment in disguise. You just have to use your imagination!
To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of items in your home that you can use for at-home workouts!
1. Folding/Table Chairs
You can perform tricep dips without a workout bench! Find a folding chair (these are perfect because they're portable and durable) or if you don’t have one, a dinner table chair or living room seat will do just fine.
To do triceps dip, start by sitting on the chair with your hands at your sides. Extend your legs out and lift your torso about two inches in front of the chair. Lower down slowly until your elbows form a 90-degree angle, then press back to your starting position to complete 1 rep. Do as many desired reps as you would like!
Click here to see how to do tricep dips!
2. Backpack
Add resistance to your walk or local hike by filling a backpack with books, water bottles, or weights if you have them! Your weighted backpack now becomes a useful alternative to a weighted vest.
We recommend weighing your weighted backpack so that you can increase your weight steadily over time to build your resistance.
3. Towel + Door Handle
Rows are an excellent arm exercise and can be done simply with a towel and door handle. Wrap the towel around the handle and place your feet against the door. Lean back so that your arms extend straight and then pull yourself into the door. Lower back down and repeat.
4. Paper Plates
Paper plates are great for lunges! Start by standing on a hardwood floor (or tile) with a paper plate underneath your foot. Slide that leg back and bend your knee until your opposite knee bends at about a 90-degree angle. Slide back up. This is one lunge.
To see a paper plate lunge in action, click here!
5. Stairs
If you have a set of stairs in your home, you have tons of exercises available to you! Stairs are great for cardio and are perfect for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). You can run up and down the stairs for 30 seconds, and rest for 30 seconds. Repeat this a few times to create interval training.
You can also do a simple calf exercise by standing on the edge of a stair (hanging on to the railing) while your heels hang over. This is your starting position. Begin by standing on your tiptoes and then lower back down to your starting position.
6. The Wall
Using a wall during exercise can heighten the intensity of movements usually done on the floor. You can also expect an excellent challenge for your overall balance and stability.
You can do the traditional wall-sits (remember those from gym class?) or up the challenge with these challenging ab and leg workouts, all done with the use of a wall as your only equipment!
7. Large Sports Balls
If you don’t happen to have a medicine ball handy, a basketball, soccer ball, or volleyball will do! Add them to your core workout routine by balancing on them with your forearms during planks.