#Sweating: 5 Doable Exercises at Home to Achieve your Dream Body

The nationwide lockdowns and home quarantines bring out our creativities that we didn’t know we have with us, as a result, we were able to transform even the most mundane tasks into the most interesting hobbies. However, as we occupy ourselves with the latest recipes to try, home gardening tricks to apply, and lists of the endless loop of movies and series to watch, it’s easy to forget our health and fitness goals.

Staying at home has probably been our norm for over a year now, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t stay fit, and to some extent, achieve our dream summer bodies.

The importance of exercise

Especially if you’re studying or working from home, you aren’t getting the incidental exercise you get when walking and commuting to and from your school or office. Add to that the stress of anything related to the pandemic, and you’ll start to see why exercising in your home is a must.

Exercise, even at moderate intensities, is associated with better immune system, prevention of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as easing feelings of anxiety and depression that come with social isolation.

It seems like going to the gym might not be an option given our current circumstances, but how about using your very own home as your little workout station?

Top 5 exercises you can do at home

If the thought of committing to hour-long home workouts overwhelm you, here are five simple exercises you can do in five minutes or less:

1. For the warm-up: March on the spot

Why do it: It doesn’t matter how long or short your workout sessions will be, a good warm-up provides three benefits at once – supplying your body with enough oxygen, increasing your body’s temperature for maximum efficiency and flexibility, and minimizing the stress on your heart.

How to do it: Start by marching forward and backward on the spot. Make sure to pump your arms up and down in synch with your marches. Also, remember to keep your fists soft and your elbows bent.

2. For the upper body: Push-Ups

Why do it: You’ve probably heard (or done) this exercise before, and all for good reasons. Push-ups are ideal for building strength on your triceps, pectoral muscles, shoulders, and even your core and lower back.

How to do it: Flatly lay your chest and stomach on the floor, with your legs straightened out, your palms at chest level, and your arms bent at 45 degrees. Exhale as you push yourself off the ground, pause for a second to keep your plank position, then inhale as you slowly lower your back to a starting position.

3. For the cardio: Jumping Jacks

Why do it: Like push-ups, jumping jacks is a widely popular exercise that even grade-schoolers are familiar with. However, did you know that jumping jacks can actually strengthen your bones, target major muscle groups, and overall improve your cardiovascular fitness? That is if you have the proper form.

How to do it: Stand up straight with your legs together and your arms at the sides. Slightly bend your knees and jump with your legs around a shoulder-width apart. As you jump, stretch your arms out and overhead in a clapping position. Jump again to go back to your starting position.

4. For the core: Bicycle Crunches

Why do it: Biking in itself is an exercise, but if you want to reap similar benefits at the comfort of your home, bicycle crunches are the way to go. Bicycle crunches can strengthen your core, slim down your waist, and overall improve flexibility and stability

How to do it: Lie down on your back with your feet on the floor, hip-width apart. Then, bend your knees and put your arms across your chest. Inhale as you contract your abs and exhale as you lift your upper body. Repeat the process with your head and neck relaxed.

5. For the lower body: Lunges

Why do it: Lunges are effective in increasing your muscle mass, which is beneficial in strengthening and toning your body. This exercise is especially effective on the core, butt, and legs. Lunges can also improve your range of motion as well as your posture.

How to do it: To do basic lunges, start by standing still, then stepping one foot forward until it reaches a 90-degree angle. Remember to keep your rear knee parallel to the ground and your front knee not stretching beyond your toes. Then, simply lift your front free to go back to the starting position.

Key Takeaway

When you’re stuck at home, finding the motivation to exercise and achieve your dream summer body may be challenging. By starting with simpler exercises (like those we suggested above), however, staying on track with your fitness goals can be possible – even with our normal routines disrupted.