Five Exercises You Can Start Doing Today
One of the biggest challenges to starting any new fitness program is preparation. You have to buy the gear, sign up for the class, make time in your busy schedule, and of course find the energy to follow through. The long checklist to exercise is one of the reasons that so many people just don’t do it.
Why not just start exercising right now, today, without all off the fuss? There are many challenging exercises that you can do today that require little or no effort.
1. Squat – Place your feet shoulder width apart, bend your knees and lower your body until your backside is just below your knees. It’ll feel like you’re trying to sit in a chair that’s really low to the ground. Keep your back as straight as possible and your weight centered over your feet. You don’t want to feel like you’re going to fall backwards or forwards. Push your knees out so they’re pointed over your toes. Stand up. That’s a bodyweight squat and it’ll strengthen your glutes and leg muscles quickly.
2. Lunges – Lunges also strengthen the leg and gluteus muscles. Step one leg forward. Lower your back knee to the ground. Stand up. Switch legs and repeat.
3. Plank – With your forearms on the floor and your toes pressing into the floor, hold your body in a straight line, don’t let your middle sag, for as long as you can. The plank is a superior core-strengthening exercise. You can alternate one minute of plank with a few push-ups to strengthen your arms too.
4. Walk – You don’t need any special equipment to walk. Just head out the door and walk at a brisk pace. Gradually increase your time and distance until you’re walking at least a mile every day.
5. Dance – Just turn on some music and dance for ten or more minutes. Dance like no one is watching. You can add exercise into your dance like jumping jacks or arm rotations. The point is to get your body moving and increase your heart rate for a few minutes.
You don’t need any fancy equipment or gym membership to get in shape. Start today. Do something, anything, to help improve your fitness and your health.