I get email all the time with articles that may help the fitness tips for life readers and this one came in today from the people at rent.com. What a great bunch of tips for people living in apartments to get or stay in shape when there is not gym nearby. Especially now in winter.
According to Statistics Brain, losing weight and saving money rank among the top 5 New Year’s resolutions coming in at #1 and #3, respectively. With monthly gym memberships averaging at $55, exercising in the comfort of your own apartment and forgoing a costly gym membership can help renters save up to $660 annually. Using these five simple exercise tips, renters can keep their hard-earned cash:
1. Calisthenics – Calisthenics are a very apartment-friendly form of exercise, because you use your own body weight as resistance. Some popular calisthenics routines include sit ups, push-ups and squats. They might not sound exciting but these fundamental exercises will work wonders for your physique. To get psyched up, imagine it’s your own personal boot camp – you can even measure yourself against basic training standards at Military.com. For more advanced and challenging moves try glute kickbacks anddecline push-ups. None of these exercises require equipment and can be completed in the cramped quarters of even the smallest apartments!
2. Strength Training – A set of weights is a practical exercise tool for renters to own. These are very cost effective, and can be easily stored in a drawer, closet or under a bed. Using weights, apartment dwellers can work both upper and lower body muscle sets. From bicep curls, chest presses and deltoid raises to dead lifts, walking lunges and squats with weights. Similarly, resistance bands are easy to find, purchase and store and can be used for strength building routines or for Pilates.
3. Climbing Stairs – If you live in a high-rise building, try taking the stairs as much as possible. Avoid waiting for the elevator, burn calories and improve your cardiovascular fitness on the way up to your apartment. Plug in your headphones and amp up your workout with the iFit Radio app or crank up your own favorite tunes. Alternate single-stair climbing with double-stair climbing to work different muscles. For those of you who live in walk-ups, you are already used to taking the stairs, so keep on climbing!
4. Yoga – Make any apartment into a yoga studio by purchasing a yoga mat, a set of scented candles and some relaxing music that will help you to find your inner peace and tranquility. This ancient form of exercise and meditation can easily be performed in any apartment, no matter how small. There are many online yoga videos and class subscriptions these days to give you inspiration and a routine to follow.
5. Exercise Ball Chair – Purchasing an exercise ball chair will certainly make a unique decorative statement in your apartment. Exercise balls are an effective way to develop core muscles, but they can be bulky and awkward to store in an apartment. An exercise ball chair, complete with detachable exercise ball, is a way to offer your guests a place to sit that will surely start a conversation. The chair can be also be used at your desk to develop core muscles while on the computer.
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