If you’re wanting to start a fitness regimen, but not quite ready to use the gym, there’s plenty of effective workouts you can do right in your apartment. While things like lifting weights, high-intensity workout routines, and jumping jacks are better left for the fitness center, many exercises are suitable for your living room and will not bother the neighbors.
A stability ball is a great, low-cost piece of workout equipment that won’t take up too much space. It’s also one of the best, low-impact methods for strengthening your abs.
Sit down and slowly roll yourself to where your lower back is comfortably positioned on the ball. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows sticking straight out. Using your abs, slowly crunch forward as you exhale and look forward. Inhale, then exhale as you slowly return to your starting position. Repeat 10-12 times, and increase repetitions or sets as you get stronger.
Pull-ups and chin-ups are among the most challenging and effective exercises for your upper body. Plus, there’s over 25 variations of each, so it’s easy to target different muscle groups.
Start by purchasing a pull-up bar, and finding a suitable doorway. A standard pull-up begins with hands facing towards you, shoulder-width apart. Hang with your arms straight, and pull yourself up with your chin above the bar. Rest for a second, and lower yourself all the way back down.
Chin-ups are the same, except your hands are facing away from you as they grip the bar. When you’ve built up enough strength to do a few pull-ups and chin-ups per set, look at different grips and variations to begin targeting your muscles from different angles.
Lifting weights plays a huge part in getting fit, but it can be noisy for neighbors if you’re lifting hundreds of pounds of metal in your living room.
Instead, invest in a set of resistance bands. Many sets now come with door and ankle anchors so you can use the bands just like any weight machine. There are hundreds of exercises using resistance bands, but a great beginner exercise is the squat.
Simply spread your feet a little wider than your shoulders, and place the band under your arches. Grab the handles, bend your elbows, and keep your hands up by your ears. Slowly lower yourself into a squat position, and then slowly stand up. Repeat 10-12 times.
Pushups are an awesome low-impact exercise to increase heart rate and strengthen chest muscles. If you’re a beginner, start on your knees and work up to full pushups.
If you’re already able to do pushups, look for variations like the diamond or one-armed pushup as an extra challenge. Start by doing as many as you can, and then gradually increase by 1-2 pushups each day.
Looking to rent an apartment in Cayce, South Carolina? Otarre Pointe Apartment homes offers an outstanding fitness center. If you would like to schedule a tour, please contact our offices for more information.