Simple Exercises to do at Home

With most of currently stuck at home, what better time to ramp up your at-home workout routine? Working out is a great way to keep your body active, boost your mood and reduces your risk of heart disease. Here are four simple at-home exercises to help keep you fit while the gym is closed!

Planks

Simple but effective, plank exercises strengthen your abdominal muscles and those that support your back. Begin by holding the plank position for 15 seconds. As you get stronger, you can work your way up to holding it for 30 seconds and eventually 60. Holding three planks for 60 seconds each is ideal.

Lunges

Lunges help strengthen, sculpt and build several muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings and the gluteus maximus. Start by doing simple set of back lunges, which will help build your buttocks and thighs. When you are able to do 10 to 12 lunges without holding onto the wall or a chair for balance, try the front lunge or another variation.

Squats

Squats promote body-wide muscle building, improving overall muscle mass and helping shape the thighs and buttocks. They work the major muscles in the lower body including the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Always perform a squat with your feet hip-distance apart. Your hips should sink behind you as if you’re sitting in a chair, and your knees should be in line with your feet, making sure they don’t come inside your toes. Keep your weight in your heels to keep proper balance.

Push-ups

The basic push-up is still one of the best chest exercises to build strength and develop your muscles. The correct setup for a standard push-up is to position your hands shoulder-width apart, or a little wider. As you bend your elbows and lower toward the ground, your elbows should be at a 45-degree angle to your body. Start with 10 to 15 reps without dropping your back, stopping short or shaking unsteadily and gradually increase.

Aerobic exercises help control blood pressure, reduce stress and depression, improve cholesterol levels and boosts weight loss. To reap the most benefits, aim to complete two to three sets of each exercise, involving 10 to 15 reps each. You can increase the reps each week until you reach your desired goal.