7 Household Items That Are Fitness Equipment in Disguise
Let’s be honest: between the clothes, gadgets and gym membership, working out can get seriously expensive. Luckily, you don’t really need any of those things to start leading a more active life. In fact, your home is filled with free fitness equipment—if you know where to look and how to use them.
A towel
One person’s towel is another person’s resistance band! Use a towel to help with stretching or for a killer arm workout. Looking for a leg challenge? On a smooth floor, assume the plank position with a small towel under each of your feet. Then, in a very slow and controlled manner, try gliding your legs apart and then back together again. Feel the burn!
A wall
You won’t find a home without at least four of these! Walls provide stability when you’re practicing some stretching, or working your quads and glutes by doing some wall-sits.
Stairs
Why invest in a StairMaster when you’ve got a perfectly good staircase at home? Walking or running the stairs is a great way to get your heart pumping and glutes burning—without spending a cent.
Soup cans, water bottles or laundry detergent jugs
Treat any of these household items like hand weights or dumbbells. Give your arms a major workout by doing some front raises, tricep kickbacks or overhead presses.
A broom
Besides sweeping, a broom can also give your core, hips and glutes a workout. Next time you’re sweeping the floor, shake things up by adding some hip hinges or oblique twists to your usual routine.
A chair
A sturdy chair (without wheels) can make an excellent addition to your workout routine, whether you’re trying to perfect your squats or practice some leg raises. Throw a second chair into the mix and practice some tricep dips. For an even greater challenge, check out this 5-5-5 Chair Workout that incorporates strength, cardio, and flexibility.
A countertop
Strengthen your arms and chest by practicing several sets of countertop push-ups. These are a great activity to sneak in while you’re waiting for water to boil or the oven to pre-heat.
Now that you know how to work out using household items, find out what happens to your body when you start walking 10,000 steps a day.
