Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or dad or just at home with kids occasionally, you don’t have to skip exercising. There are home workouts that address all types of fitness and for all parts of the body that don’t require special equipment. You can even break up the workout into several sessions and do them when you have a short break, including while the kids are napping. Do some with the kids to help them learn a healthier lifestyle.
Use circuit training or HIIT—high intensity interval training—workout.
Both circuit training and HIIT have something in common. They can cut your workout time dramatically. During circuit training, you go from one exercise to another with only a short rest between them. HIIT alternates intensity from peak intensity to a recovery pace. With both HIIT and circuit training, you can use any exercise. It’s all about the way you do the workout. One short circuit training workout rotates one minute of each, butt kicks, jumping rope, mountain climbers, and burpees. Then rest for a minute and start again. Do this circuit of exercises four times for an excellent workout.
Do bodyweight exercises anywhere.
Push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and squats are a few examples of bodyweight exercises you can do anywhere. If you’re watching TV with the kids, get on the floor and do a few planks. You can do these exercises almost anywhere. Lunge walk throughout the house for a few minutes a day to add to your workout. Practice squats while you do household tasks like picking clothes off the floor or taking laundry out of the dryer. Merge exercises with your daily tasks to add to your workout at home.
Strength building doesn’t require special equipment.
You don’t have to have a set of weights to build strength. Building strength is all about lifting something heavy. You can use anything, including your child, which makes it fun for the kids, too. If you want to invest in inexpensive exercise equipment, consider resistance bands. They’re inexpensive and easy to store. They provide a workout that can build muscles on all planes. Using water bottles filled with water or sand can also double as dumbbells.
- Get everyone involved. Buy jump ropes or hula hoops for the whole family. Everyone will get the benefit of exercise that way. You can do these workouts even when the kids aren’t awake.
- If you’re normally home with the kids, schedule your workout as you would any appointment. You can make it when the kids nap or schedule it another time and exercise with the kids.
- Don’t forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you workout. It helps get your body and mind ready for exercise. At the end of each session, spend a minute or two with cool-down exercises.
- Take advantage of the things you have in your home. Use your stairs as a substitute for a step-master. Run up and down the stairs. You can even pick up laundry or put away toys while you’re doing it. Just keep moving.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness