Since I started working with my trainer Alisha at Life Time Athletic I have a whole new way of working out. Gone are the days that I walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes followed by the elliptical for 30. Alisha has introduced me to circuit training and I just love it so much.
Never in my life did I think I would be doing Deadlifts or Kettlebell Swings. Now I find myself so excited by the idea of getting my mat, finding the right size kettlebell and working through some of the latest exercises Alisha has taught me. Being able to make time to get together with a trainer has made a world of difference. It’s taken the intimidation of the weight and training floor completely out of the picture. It also helps that at Life Time Athletic so many women are lifting weights, circuit training that I don’t ever feel like I don’t fit in.
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It’s baseball and soccer season and while there is nothing more exciting to me than cheering on my kids in the stands, I am having difficulty finding time to get my workouts in. I just started really getting extra excited by my workouts that I don’t want to see my enthusiasm leave and my attempt to get healthy fail. With this in mind I reached out to Alisha and asked her to help me with tips on what to do for the days I can’t get out of the house.
Exercises You Can Do At Home
The Days You Just Can’t Get Out of The House
Wall sits: Stand with your back against the wall. Walk your feet out around 2 feet in front of you and spread them approximately 6 inches apart. Slide down on the wall bending your knees to create a 90 degree angle. Hold 20-40 seconds. Straighten up against the wall to stand. Repeat
Bear Crawls: Check out this Men’s Health video to see exactly how to do bear crawls
Push-up variations: Check out Nerd Fitness to see different variations of push-ups. I do them starting on my elbows and push up to my hands.
Squats or Lunges: I need to see things and repeat them. That is why working out with a trainer is perfect for me. Check out Real Simple Magazine’s tips and video on how to do squats
Planks: Check out these instructions on how to do a 5 minute Plank Workout by Life Time Fitness Trainer Erik over at Omaha Magazine
Check out some of these great articles too:
Why You Should Use KettleBells (Plus Two Moves)
Also, Be sure to check out these great Youtube tutorials on stretching
Great tips — because I work at home much of my week, I can’t get to the gym as much as I like. I can do these on my lunch break!
I feel your pain Nancy!! It’s so important to me to get and stay in better shaper/health that I need ways to do it when I am home or traveling!
My body definitely feels differently on days that I am sitting at my desk and working vs. more active. I love the idea of integrating circuit training into my work days because doing walls sits, squats, and planks only takes a few minutes and can be done between conference calls or as writing breaks. Thanks for the tips!
These exercises are great, considering I can never get to a gym!
Great tips! I so need to get into a regular routine.
I usually only workout at home and like to change it up a lot. I also prefer circuits, so this will totally help. But a 5 minute plank??? No way!! 😉