Fitness Made Simple

Can’t afford a gym membership, don’t like the crowds, or can’t find the time to hit the gym before or after work? Don’t have the money or space for a workout room at home – or don’t even know where to start when it comes to buying the right equipment? It’s time for fitness made simple: no need to go to the gym or purchase any fitness equipment whatsoever.

Here are three bodyweight exercises you can do at home to tighten and tone your entire body:

• Pushups: The pushup is considered one of the best full-body exercises; just try one and you’ll see why. You engage the chest and arms, of course; but the position also requires that you engage your core abdominal muscles and even the lower body.
• Squats: If you haven’t done squats before, do a few and you’ll understand their full-body value. Proper form is key: maintain good posture and sit back on your buttocks (rather than putting excess pressure on your knees).
• Burpees: Named after Dr. Royal Burpee, a 1940s Columbia University PhD graduate, the burpee is a combination of a pushup and a squat. It is essentially a squat thrust with a stand between repetitions. From a standing position, squat, kick your legs out behind you and transition to a pushup position, then reverse it to return to a standing position. See how many you can do!

Getting – and staying – fit can be challenging enough; make it simple with these and other bodyweight exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home, any time of the day. If you’re uncertain how to perform any of these maneuvers and/or have physical limitations that may make alternate exercises more desirable, talk to your doctor.