Summer is lurking and most of us want to shake off the winter weight without breaking the bank with gym membership or aerobics classes. What if you didn’t even have to leave the house? Here are five fun exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home.
• Skipping rope – Any rope will do, as long as it has some weight. Skipping is excellent for core strength and toning arms. It also improves your balance, resilience and buoyancy.
• Hula hooping – Hula hooping tones the stomach, hips, waist and back. Trying to hold up the hoop works on rhythm, balance, and for the more experienced hoopers, try lifting it while it rotates: if the hoop turns clockwise, place your right hand on your left hip (in front of your body) and let it roll over your fingers. Once the inside of the hoop is on your fingers, grab it and turn your body in the same direction in which it is rotating. You will be able to lift the rotating hoop over your shoulders and head and let it spin above your head like a lasso. This tests your concentration and balance, tones your arms and is simply a lot of childlike fun! If you don’t own a hoop, make one from PVC pipe!
How to lift the hula hoop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuI9EmAOIVE
• Exercise ball – This is one of the most versatile and inexpensive exercising tools you can own. If you have a job which coerces you to sit in front of a computer or behind a desk, sit on an exercise ball like a you would on a chair. It corrects your posture and you can lean back and roll on it when your back starts to hurt. Alternatively, if you have lower-back problems, use the ball to do sit-ups. Lie face-down on the ball and roll forward until only the bridges of your feet are on the ball and your hands are on the ground. This is an ideal position for push-ups or concentrated core exercises. There are plenty of exercises to do with an exercise ball which a simple YouTube search will reveal.
• Yoga – If you have an open space, either indoors or in your garden, roll out your yoga mat and spend an hour using your own body weight to tone your arms, legs, back, core, buttocks and some muscles you didn’t even know you had. Buy a yoga-guide book or video and take your own time to work on your flexibility. Yoga is an ancient calming and meditative exercise and you will soon be addicted.
• Free dancing – Try to do this by yourself. Clear the room of all furniture, set up a playlist of your favourite songs, close your eyes and listen to your body. Dance like no one is watching, using all your limbs and simple skills like jumping, rolling, handstands or somersaults if you can. Use exaggerated movements and try to keep this going for about 20 minutes every day. You will be out of breath and filled with endorphins after your session.
