4 Exercise Routines You Can Do at Home
Among all the lifestyle changes we’ve had to make due to the coronavirus, transitioning from our regular sweat sessions at the Orange County Strength Club or OC Fitness to our front room has not been easy. No longer do we have access to the ellipticals, the rowing machine, or the vast collection of weights. No longer are our favorite trainers guiding us on our form and pushing us to hit just one more rep.
Not letting the temporary closure of our favorite gyms halt our regular workout routines, many of us have transformed our apartments into a new, even more convenient, fitness center. If you have been struggling to find some motivation or you’re ready to mix up your routine, here are four great exercise methods sure to inspire you to continue achieving your health goals.
HIIT
Voted one of the top fitness trends of 2020 by fitness professionals, high-intensity interval training, or HIIT , is a cardio-heavy workout that combines short bursts of intense exercise, from 20 to 90 seconds, with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise.
A HIIT workout requires little equipment, relying heavily on your own bodyweight enhanced with some additional hand weights and resistance bands. An example of a solid 20-minute HIIT workout might feature push-ups, squats, butt kicks, tricep dips, and side lunges. Each exercise is done for 45 seconds, with a 15-second rest as you transition to the next move. The entire sequence is then repeated two more times. Add in jumping jacks and sit-ups for a full 30-minute workout.
TRX
Created by a former Navy SEAL, TRX , or Total Resistance exercise, is a training system that relies on suspension and bodyweight to develop core strength, stability, and flexibility.
Using an easily installed TRX-specific strap system, exercises like traditional lunges, planks, tricep dips, bicep curls, squats, and sit-ups are intensified when modified to include the straps. For instance, a TRX lunge is intensified as your back leg is suspended by the strap, increasing the balance challenge of the exercise.
Yoga
The meditative features of a stretching- and breathing-filled yoga workout might be especially appreciated as we all cope with the upheaval of our active lifestyles this summer. Time to roll out the yoga mat or bath towel and let the tension-relieving poses begin.
If you are new to yoga, there are many online resources, including YouTube videos , available to teach basic pose and breathing techniques. For more advanced yogis, you can ramp up routines with a Power Yoga workout where stretching poses are enhanced by weights and more cardio moves.
Videos
Back in the ’80s, there were no better at-home workouts than those Jane Fonda or Richard Simmons videos. Popping Sweatin’ to the Oldies in the VCR and donning your favorite legwarmers proved to be a fun aerobic workout.
While times and methods have changed, workout videos are still a great way to continue your fitness journey at home. Cue up those classic workouts on YouTube or invest in a new DVD series of dance-filled workouts. You can choose from Zumba , Beachbody CIZE , or a Bollywood workout .
Whether you are hoping to ramp up your workout with some high-intensity routines, try a new workout method like TRX, spice up that yoga routine, or dance your way to fitness, your apartment can easily be transformed into your new, temporary gym. Find the option that works for you and get to sweating!
