If you are one of those who don't like going to the gym, these home workouts might be the best solution.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 10, 2020. It has since been updated.
With a new year comes new goals and resolutions for personal growth. Some, we manage to follow through, and others get discontinued for varied reasons. We want to focus on a new us and a new beginning, and that, for many people, includes new fitness goals. Adopting fitness habits that we can carry with us throughout the year may seem hard, but there are easy and approachable methods. We don't need expensive gym memberships for that nor do we need a lot of equipment. If that has been stopping you from taking the first step, you can try workouts that use only your body weight to get fitter.
Fitness isn't about losing weight or looking a certain way, it can mean something different for everyone. You being in the best shape of your life and feeling healthier shouldn't be seen as the same thing as losing a lot of weight or going down several sizes. After all, each and every shape and size are beautiful.
Here are six workouts that can be done at home and will help you get healthier in 2020:
If you want to strengthen your core, doing the plank exercise is a great workout. When you add a leg lift to it, it strengthens your glute muscles too. Even actress Halle Berry swears by them, according to Self. They build strength in other areas of your body, Christi Marraccini, certified personal trainer and instructor at NEO U in New York City, told Self. To do this workout, place yourself in a normal plank position then lift yourself higher using your hands. Then lift one foot from the floor. Then switch to the other leg. You can start off with staying in the position for 15 to 30 seconds and increase the duration every day.
Squats are great for your core and glutes too. To do this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly turned outwards. Place your body weight on your heels then bend like you're going to sit. Push your butt back and bend until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Then stand back up straight and while you do that squeeze your butt and keep your core tight, according to Self. You can start off with 10 to 15 repetitions.
Start this exercise by standing with feet together, then step back with the right leg. Meanwhile, lower both knees to form a 90-degree angle with the right knee just above the ground. Don't touch the ground. Use your left heel to go back to the starting position and then repeat on the left side. You can start off with 10 to 15 repetitions on each side, according to Runner's world.
Begin with standing feet hip-width apart and hand behind your head and elbows wide. Then, lift your right knee towards the right elbow and bend your torso up and over to the right. Then, repeat on the other side. You can make this slightly more intense by adding free weights to the workout. Repeat it 10 to 15 times to start with.
This workout, also known as hip abduction, works on multiple muscle groups, according to Livestrong. To do this, lie on your side with legs extended, then lift your top leg 45 degrees. Prop yourself up on your elbow. Lower your leg slowly, and then repeat. You can do five lifts with your toe pointed, five with your toe flexed, and five with your toe pointed to the ceiling. Then, repeat it on the other side. You can start off by doing 10 to 15 repetitions.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart then starting from the left, squat slightly. Then, jump to the right as much as you can and land on your right foot. Try not to touch your left foot to the ground. Then jump back across to land on your left foot. You can begin with 10 to 15 repetitions.
References:
https://www.self.com/gallery/bodyweight-exercises-you-can-do-at-home
https://www.runnersworld.com/training/g23341982/best-bodyweight-exercises/?slide=4
https://www.livestrong.com/article/500004-lateral-side-leg-raises/
