Whether you live outside of town or are feeling trapped in your bleak Milwaukee apartment all winter, sometimes you don’t want to trek all the way down to the gym. Luckily, you have alternatives. There are plenty of exercises that will have you breaking a sweat without even leaving your apartment.
Here, from the apartment experts at ABODO, are three of the most effective indoor exercises for your in-apartment needs. Forget the gym, with its sweaty bros and chatty lifters. With these exercises, you’ll be on your way to your fitness goals in no time.
1. Yoga
If you’ve spent any time in a yoga studio, you’ve probably been told that it’s a lifestyle practice. And it’s true! You should be able to do it anywhere, even if your instructor isn’t in the room with you.
So clear a space in your living room, and lay down your mat. If you’re an experienced practitioner, set a timer for the length of your normal class and run through the poses you like best for the duration.
New to the practice? It’s easy to learn. Just pull up an instructional video on YouTube. The Yoga with Adriene series, for example, is well-shot, beginner-friendly, and informative.
2. The 7-Minute Workout
Another great option for home workouts that doesn’t require any extra equipment is the 7-Minute Workout. Developed by the Human Performance Institute, this 12-exercise routine starts with jumping jacks and wall-sits before moving on to push-ups, tricep dips, lunges, and more. It’s an ultra-compressed, high-intensity interval program that requires nothing more than your own body weight, a wall, and a chair to accomplish.
Best of all? You do it fast. Each step should take 30 seconds, with 10 seconds of rest between them. That means you get the benefits of a long run and a little time in the weight room, all without leaving your living room.
3. Indoor Cardio
You don’t have to run around the block to get the health benefits of running around the block. And you don’t have to run around your apartment, either. (Good thing, especially if you’re in a studio.)
You’ll have to do a bit of jumping, though. Try doing some burpees: Move into a deep squat from a standing position, lean forward onto your arms, and then extend your feet backwards. Then reverse those steps, hopping back up into a standing position. Doing a dozen or so burpees is an effective method of burning calories, and all you need is enough space to stretch out the full length of your body.
Want another cardio exercise? Try a mountain climbers. Get into push-up position, and then instead of lowering yourself by bending your elbows, bring one knee up to your chest and then back, like you’re trying to run on your hands and knees, or ride a bicycle. See if you can last a minute at full speed — chances are you’ll be sweating onto your rug in no time.
For more cardio tips, head on over to Fitness Blender for instructions on torso twists, slow squats, and deadlift jacks.
