Do you feel like you should be exercising more? Do you hate the gym? Is running kind of ‘meh’ for you? You’re definitely not alone. We have nothing against the gym, but let’s be honest: It’s not for everyone. For many, having exercises to do at home isn’t just better, but necessary.
Does this mean we all need to invest in dumbbells and a treadmill for home? Absolutely not. This is part one of a series of alternative exercise ideas we plan to share with you. These easy at-home workouts will give you all the benefits of time at the gym without the commute or monthly fees. Check out our first three recommendations below!
Ballet Fitness
Great news, you don’t need to be five years old to begin your life as a ballerina. You can swap your running shoes for ballet slippers and hit the barre no matter how old you are.
Ballet and barre have been on the rise in the last few years as a trendy way of exercise – particularly since Black Swan was released. But it’s stuck around because it’s so effective. Not only are you working your legs, thighs and core strength through beautiful movements – but you’re developing a better posture. Ballet is known to help with flexibility, strength and improve back pain.
Once you learn the basics through a class with a professional, ballet is a great way to kick off your morning with stretches and exercise at home. No barre? No worries! A stable chair is a great substitute for your home workout routine.
Obstacle Courses
Okay, we know we said these suggestions were about home exercise routines, but we’re expanding to your neighborhood for this suggestion because it’s just too good to ignore.
Obstacle courses have proven to be extremely popular in the last couple years, with some gyms even implementing them in their outdoor areas. Running, climbing, crawling and ducking… it’s hard not to feel like an action hero while you’re doing it!
Don’t have an obstacle course on-hand? No sweat! Check out local parks and playgrounds. Between monkey bars, jungle gyms, and pebble bridges, you can easily get a full-body workout just playing around! Plus, many parks also have outdoor fitness equipment of their own, which can be better-equipped to handle adult bodies. Or, if you’re handy, you could even try building your own!
Trampolining
Anyone who lived through the 80’s knows that trampolines aren’t just for kids. Not only is trampolining (or rebound exercise) super fun, it’s lousy with health benefits. Trampolining is known to improve your balance and coordination while giving you a full-body workout. It’s low-impact too, and only requires one relatively small piece of equipment, which makes it one of many perfect exercises to do at home.
Trampolining is also fantastic for your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system plays a huge role in your immunity. It collects the cellular waste of your body and pushes it towards the appropriate waste removal system, like your liver and kidneys.
Any exercise can boost your lymphatic system, but the up-and-down jumping on a trampoline is especially effective because it forces your lymph nodes to work against gravity. When your lymph nodes work harder, the toxins in your body are flushed out more quickly, which boosts your immunity.
Plus, trampolines are fun! So break out those leg warmers and leotards and jump for joy (and health)!
For more ideas for exercises to do at home, keep an eye on our blog for more suggestions. In the meantime, add ten minutes of exercise into your daily rituals and see what a difference it can make for you!
