For many women, staying in shape is a priority. And even for women who don’t necessarily have a strict workout routine, keeping your body toned and active plays an important role in achieving overall physical and mental health. Unfortunately, there are times when going to a gym doesn’t quite fit into your schedule or into your budget. And that’s okay! If you are willing to be a bit creative, you can find a variety of different ways to get a little more exercise, no matter where you are. Here are five places you can to add some extra activity into your daily busy routine.
At Home
Sometimes you may have the full intention of putting on your sneakers, gearing up in your trendy workout clothes, and heading to the gym. But, let’s be real. Some days, getting out of bed can be extremely difficult, let alone getting out of bed to go to the gym. So, if you are looking to incorporate a bit more activity into your day without even leaving your room, here is a simple set of workouts that will help you out. Start out by laying flat on your back on your bed or floor. Then, do 20 reps of the bicycle by bringing your opposite elbow to your opposite knee. Once done, hop out of bed and do 25-50 squats, depending on your preference. Lastly, hold onto your bed or one of your walls and do 20-40 calf raises. This simple routine will have you feeling awake and more toned every morning.
You can also buy workout video programs such as Zumba, BeachBody, and Insanity. If you are looking to save a little bit of money, YouTube also offers a wide array of workout videos. Blogilates is a YouTube channel that has amazing exercise combinations that will leave you sweaty and feeling great without ever leaving your room.
At Work
If you work a desk job from the early hours of the morning to the dusky hours of the evening, it can be difficult to find the time or motivation to go to the gym before or after work. In order to get a bit more activity into your daily routine, you could go on a walk during your lunch break, walk up and down the stairs of your office a few times during the day, or even just try to stand up more often, as standing has a higher resting caloric burn than sitting does.
On Vacation
If you are an avid traveler or even just taking a fun trip with your family, it is easy to forgo going to the gym in order to participate in other more relaxing activities. Many travel destinations such as hotels, resorts, and cruise ships offer some sort of gym or recreational facility. If you are too intimidated to utilize the public gym, you can always plan fun and on the go activities such as sightseeing via walking, rock climbing, paddleboarding, or swimming. These type of activities don’t even feel like exercise but they definitely will increase your daily caloric burn.
Outside
If you can’t find time or afford to go the gym, you can just step outside and make the world your gym. Running is a great cardio option and requires no equipment. But if running isn’t your thing, you can easily do bodyweight training outside as well. With something as simple as a park bench you can do step ups, inclined pushups, box jumps, dips, and elevated lunges. The Vitamin D you’ll get from working out outside is just another plus!
Many insta-famous workout plans like Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide and Emily Skye’s can also easily be modified for outdoor workouts.
On Campus
If you are a student and struggling to balance staying in shape with your social life and your studies, here are a few helpful tips that will help you keep off any unwanted dining hall weight. The easiest way for students to burn extra calories during their day is to walk around campus. If your campus has a bus option, always choose to walk to your next destination if possible. Walking to class is often an overlooked way to stay in shape. Another tip is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Also, make sure to carry a full water bottle with you wherever you go. Drinking water is extremely beneficial for weight management.