Let’s face it, some days you just do not want to leave the house and go to the gym. Sometimes, it’s just too gloomy outside to bundle up and head to the yoga studio. No motivation to get out the door? No problem. Something is better than nothing, so keep your house stocked with the essentials for a killer at-home workout for those days that getting in the car seems near impossible. Here’s our list of must-have equipment to provide you with a calorie busting workout in the comfort and convenience of your own place as well as the most effective exercises to do with each piece.
Read on and get your sweat on!
Stability Ball
A stability ball (also called a physioball) can take your workout to the next level and provides you with a long list of exercises that will tone your body from head to toe. They can be found for as little as $5 and are easily stored in any corner of your house. Some of the best body sculpting moves to do with stability ball include ab roll outs, push-ups, and hamstring curls. Ab roll outs tone every part of your core just like an ab roller. Performing push-ups with your feet on a stability ball will sculpt your abs more than a typical push-up. Hamstring curls done on a stability ball lift and tighten your booty like no other exercise!
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands come in varying colors and thicknesses, allowing you to easily adjust the intensity of your workout. The most convenient aspect of resistance bands is that you can pack them with ease, providing you with a total body strength workout wherever you go. Resistance bands are ideal for upper body toning and strengthening exercises such as bicep curls, rows, and triceps extensions. You can loop your resistance band around a table leg or door to perform rows and chest presses, toning the front and back of your body while sculpting some serious abs. Using a resistance band for these moves as opposed to free weights will challenge your body to use more of your smaller, stabilizing muscles, providing a more effective calorie burn. Plus, as you get stronger and the exercises seem easier, just add more tension to your band as opposed to buying heavier free weights!
Ab or Yoga Mat
Having a mat handy is perfect for days when a good stretch sounds like the best idea for your body. Mats also come in handy for abdominal exercises and body weight exercises. Some of our favorite moves to do on the mat include side planks, supermans, and leg lifts. Side planks are one of the most effective exercises for taming love handles and toning shoulders and arms. With multiple variations, you can easily change the toughness of this move on your mat. Supermans lying on your stomach sculpt your back and booty while perfecting your posture. Side lying leg lifts are one of the best go-to moves for shrinking and toning your inner and outer thighs, and they can easily be done while catching up on your DVR! Score!
Aerobic Step
A 6 to 12 inch step gives you the ability to perform a number of cardio exercises as well as upper and lower body strength moves. Try doing step ups or jumps onto the step for 1 minute, rest for 30 seconds, and repeat 2 times. This move will get your heart pumping in a high intensity way, leaving you burning mega calories. To tone the unwanted extra jiggle on the back of your arms (we’ve all got a little something!), perform dips with your hands on the step. Last but certainly not least, for a serious booty-lifting move, place your back leg on the step and do single leg lunges. This hurt-so-good move will tone the front and back of your legs while lifting and firming your lower body.
There you have it, now there are no excuses to skip on your workout when you’re not feeling like leaving the house! What are some of your favorite at-home moves to sculpt your best body? We’d love for you to share with us!
Manon McGovern, creator of The Traveling Trainer, is a fitness and weight management specialist who loves sharing her passion for a healthy lifestyle. She studied Exercise Science at The Ohio State University and started personal training and teaching group exercise classes to introduce herself into the fitness world. She enjoys personal training and teaching Yoga, Spinning, KickBoxing, and strength classes. Now working... Read More
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