If you’re planning to get fit and into shape, it’s important not to rely on the British weather to play ball. But don’t worry, as there are plenty of ways to live a healthy lifestyle without ever leaving your home.
Invest in a few items of equipment
When you calculate the annual cost of a gym membership, getting fit can end up costing you hundreds. But investing just a little money in some dumbbells and resistance bands will give you the chance to perform some rigorous strength and conditioning training on your living room floor. Buy the rubber-covered dumbbells (just in case you drop them and damage your furniture or flooring), and use them whenever you get a few spare minutes to yourself. Resistance bands will come with a set of different exercises, involving your abdominal muscles, arms and legs. You can also save on the cost of Pilates or yoga classes by investing in an instruction video and an exercise mat.
Embrace technology
We’re always hearing about the way in which our love for video games, the Internet and mobile phones is making us fatter and less fit. However, technology has the potential to enhance your health and fitness regime, and save you money on the cost of expensive gym and club memberships.
If you love to play video games, get moving at the same time by playing energetic games on motion-sensor gaming consoles and devices. You can play virtual games of tennis, golf and bowling which can get you off your chair and moving. And there are some fun and exciting dancing games that allow you to strut your stuff to your favourite songs.
The Internet is a fantastic resource for health and fitness regimes. You can find a huge number of free workout videos online, and there are various fitness communities and discussion boards that allow you to get advice on weight loss and exercise without ever leaving your home.
A Fitbug fitness tracker can be paired with your mobile device and track all your activity. It will provide you with useful feedback, lifestyle advice, workout videos and tasty recipe ideas. And many of the workouts you’ll be provided with can be performed in your home.
Get stuck into housework
There is huge potential to burn extra calories throughout the day if you take every opportunity to keep moving. For instance, doing housework can burn more calories than a brisk walk. Keep the pace up when you’re vacuuming, dusting, making beds and cleaning the bathroom. You can burn up to 300 calories per hour doing some rigorous housework, so get cleaning!
Improvise
Believe it or not, there are several things in your home you can use to get into shape. For instance, use your stairs for climbing workouts, and use your own weight for resistance by doing regular push-ups and sit-ups. But it doesn’t end there, as there might be several things in your kitchen cupboards that will help you to get into shape. Large tins and bottles can be used as makeshift weights – proving that getting fit and losing weight doesn’t have to cost you a penny.
Variety is the spice of a healthy life
If you are spending a lot of time indoors, it is easy to become bored – and boredom often leads to hours spent in front of the TV and overeating. Consider making a weekly schedule of exercise, and mix things up as much as you can. For example, spend one day working out with your favourite exercise video, and spend the next climbing your stairs or lifting weights in your living room.
Your exercise regime doesn’t need to suffer because it’s raining outside. Make your home your own personal gym.
DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP
You can track your progress with our new mobile app which is available for iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets, and is available now in the app stores.
