At Home Routines

This is for those of you who don’t necessarily enjoy the gym, but want to get started with fitness. Whether it be price, time, comfort or confidence that keeps you from going, I want you to know that you can still successfully engage in physical fitness without the gym. You can easily develop an at-home exercise routine with household items that will be effective and rewarding. Here are some ways to get started.

For Resistance Training

This can be done with traditional hand held weights like dumbbells and kettlebells. If you don’t have these items, this is the time to use some creativity! Just remember to pick an appropriate weight for the person who will be using them. Your loved ones may all need a different weight.

Heavier options:

● Plastic milk jugs

● Gallon water bottles

● Laundry detergent containers

● Sacks of flour

Lighter options:

● Canned vegetables

● Small water bottles

● Sacks of rice

● Thicker books

For items that you can vary in weight, try these:

● A backpack filled with items until the desired weight is reached.

● A plastic bucket filled with items until the desired weight is reached.

For movements without weights, try these:

● Paper plates used as sliders for push ups and mountain climbers

● Chairs for incline and decline push-ups

● A bench for dips

● Walls for wall sits

● Sports ball for balance or ab training

● Pet food for squats

For Cardio Training

Having a treadmill is great for cardio, but not necessary. Even if you do have cardio machines at home, trying any of these ideas could create something new and fun.

● Get outside to walk, jog or cycle through the neighborhood.

● Visit your local tennis court and learn a new game.

● Climb a staircase wearing the backpack you used for resistance training.

● Find a public lake or pool to get some laps in.

● Use plastic cups to create an obstacle course or relay race.

● Draw an agility ladder or even a hopscotch map with sidewalk chalk.

● Play tag with the kids.

There are so many possibilities to create your fitness routine without going to the gym. I want you to experience all of the physical and mental benefits from movement so use your creativity and get started. No more excuses, motivate your friends and family to get active with you. Imagine the fun you could all have together!