Have you been wondering how to stay fit and active now that it’s summer? Is your gym closed but you still want to exercise? Do you want to train without straining yourself excessively?
Bodyweight exercise could be the answer to all of these questions. It’s an exercise programme that you can do every day without needing any type of equipment or tools. However, just like anything in life, you shouldn’t push yourself too much; appropriate rest and recovery is still fundamental.
So what are bodyweight exercises?
The name itself describes it. They are exercises that use your body weight for resistance training. There’s no need for dumbbells, barbells or bulky equipment. Good examples of this type of exercise include sit-ups, push-ups, squats, pull-ups, lunges, and planks. For anyone not used to much physical activity, this programme has many benefits:
It improves your health
Any exercise that pushes you to move is good for your health. Bodyweight exercise uses functional movements that could help you in your daily life activities (physiotherapists love it). It can vastly improve your coordination, balance and give you a greater understanding of how well your body is working for you. And, when mixed with other exercises, such as burpees or high knees, in addition to strengthening your muscles, it’s also great for your cardiovascular system!
It improves fitness from the comfort of your home
Bodyweight training improves your strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity without the need for gym equipment. So it’s perfect for those people who want to train but who don’t want to leave the house.
It’s good at burning calories
For those people who are very aware of their daily calorie intake, bodyweight exercise burns calories not only during the training but also after. Even after exercising, your body will still consume calories. Perfect for those who enjoy midnight snacks and don’t want to feel guilty afterwards!
All you need is your willpower
To exercise, you don’t need any equipment (apart from a chair, perhaps) – just you and your body to train. Aside from that, all you will need is your will to exercise!
It’s convenient and fun
Your living room or garden can be the perfect space for bodyweight exercises. And, of course, fresh air during and after the training is an additional boost to your health helping you to feel fit and happy.
The importance of staying healthy at home
We all l know that exercising is good for your health and fitness. Studies have proven that we need at least 150 minutes of intensive activities per week to keep our bodies strong and efficient. Since we are spending more time in our homes, we need to recognise the importance of staying active and use the time to maintain our fitness and improve our body strength. Bodyweight exercise has many health benefits and can keep you fit in the comfort of your own home!
If you would like some help to put a programme of exercises together that is individually tailored to your level of fitness, please get in touch for a chat.
