10 Ways You Can Exercise Without Going to the Gym

At the end of last year I promised myself that I would start working on becoming healthy. I wanted to start eating better and losing some weight. As a stay at home mother of four, getting to the gym can be hard. There never seems to be enough free time in the day to get the things done I want to do for myself. Understanding how important self-care is for total wellness, I started to find ways I could exercise without going to the gym. I’ve had to be creative about getting active, even if it means doing activities what the kids in tow. Below I’m sharing some of my favorites.

Yoga

The internet can be amazing sometimes, and I have found that a quick search on Youtube resulted in lots of great yoga videos to help me get some exercise in when I can’t get to the gym. It’s fun because sometimes I can include the kids and we all get to work out, and best of all it’s free. There are videos for everyone from beginner to expert. Plus yoga helps me relax and center myself.

Walking

Any amount of exercise is good for your body, even a simple activity like walking. It helps with circulation and getting your heart rate up. You can start with short walks around your neighborhood, or if it’s cold out try the mall or a recreational center. Walking is a great first step to exercise if you haven’t been active a lot.

Hiking

Just like walking, hiking can help you get your heart rate up and that’s a good thing to help burn calories. Find hiking trails in your area and start with a beginner course and work your way up from there. Hiking is also great for getting to spend time outdoors and appreciate the scenery around you. Take photos, invite friends, and hit the trails it will feel less like exercise and more like living life.

Dancing

I remember when I was in college, and we would go to dance clubs and come out drenched in sweat hours later. At the time I didn’t know it but I was burning calories and staying active. My night club days are behind me but you can still make a playlist of your favorite songs and have a private dance party at home. This is another great activity to get the kids involved and active. It’s fun, rewarding, and the whole family can enjoy it together.

Exercise Dice

On a trip to Five Below, my husband found an exercise dice that was perfect for us and the kids. It’s a very easy concept and it helps with exercise without even having to put on the television. You role the dice and whatever activity it lands on that’s what you’re going to do. Roll again when you’ve completed the action on the dice. Set a time frame and just like that, you’re working out at home.

Run Stairs

Nobody likes taking the stairs. I even hate the number of stairs in my house, but it’s helped me with staying active. Taking the stairs can help anyone counting their steps and looking for easy ways to stay active. On days when I’ve busy and swamped, I like running the stairs in our house. It helps with leg workouts and gets my heart rate up. You can also search online for stair exercises that really help you burn calories.

Squats

Squatting is a great way to work out your lower body. It’s easy to do at home and you can squeeze them in just about anytime. Pick up some five to ten pound weights to add some arm workouts into your squats routine.

Cycling

If you know how to ride a bike, cycling could be a great way to get active and burn calories. You don’t even have to spend a lot on a bike. Check local consignment shops, estate sales or auction, pawn shops, or even resale apps for deals on a good bike. Start with shorter distances and work you way up to longer distances.

Exercise Videos

Just like the yoga videos, you can find tons go free content on Youtube and other online sites for exercising at home. Some videos are broken down into special problem areas or work out categories, making them easier to follow. If you’re looking to lose weight, check out weight loss videos, if you’re looking for cardio, abs, legs, arms, upper body, you can find just about any exercise routine.

Housework

If you’re like me and you have a list of housework that’s a mile long, count this steps and use it to help you burn some calories. All activity is good activity. Doing laundry, vacuuming, mowing the lawn, washing the car, all those chores help you increase your steps and burn calories.

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