Yes, you read that right! You can exercise in your apartment, dorm room or any small space! While a lot of us may have gym memberships, sometimes it’s not in the budget, and sometimes we prefer to do what we can in the privacy of our own home. I thought I would share some simple apartment exercises with equipment that can easily be stored in a closet. Ready or not, here we go!
ONE: An old standby that is great for toning up is the resistance tube. To target thighs and upper arms, try this squat.
With feet shoulder-width apart, stand on the tube and hold its handles. Lower your body, making sure your knees don’t extend past your toes. Push down on your heels and curl your arms toward your chest as you straighten your legs. Start with 15 repetitions.
Note: Not all resistance tubes are the same. They vary by level of resistance (light, medium and heavy). For a newbie, start with the light, and as the exercises get easier for you, move up to a medium and/or large.
TWO: Using a full-body exercise ball (a lightweight, plastic ball), you can easily do the ball squat.
Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart. As if you are sitting down into a chair, bend your knees until they come to a 90-degree angle. Return to the standing position.
Here are 15 additional full-body exercise ball workouts to consider as well. The full-body exercise ball can also serve as a seat for your desk, making storage even simpler!
THREE: Not getting the upper-body results you’re looking for? Give the kettlebell a try. This front raise targets your shoulders and back.
Start in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent; hold the kettlebell with two hands, resting your arms on your thighs.
Lower yourself as if sitting in a chair, making sure your knees don’t extend past your toes. Lift your back up by straightening your legs and simultaneously raising the kettlebell to shoulder height. Return to the starting position. Do this 15 times.
Check out these kettlebell exercises for weight loss too! Please note that you should always start with lighter weights and gradually increase to heavier weights.
FOUR: Jog’n Shape boards. Are you familiar with these pieces of equipment? I was introduced to these years ago when doing Curves. I’ve had one for years now and love it!
It’s constructed of strong, lightweight polymer. I have bad knees, and this was created for those who might have bad knees, hips and ankles; however, it can be used by anyone. These boards are supported by energy blocks, providing shock absorption. You can jog, walk, jump or dance! This is a great alternative for small spaces too!
FIVE: The dumbbell row provides a great workout for your back. Dumbbells come in many different weights, so be sure to start with a comfortable weight.
Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart, holding a hand weight in each hand. Bend your knees to a 45-degree angle and lower your upper body toward the ground until your chest is angled toward the floor. Straighten your arms down with you palms facing in. Bend your elbows, keeping your arms close to your sides until the weights touch your sides. Return to the starting position.
There you have five easy apartment exercises, and each piece allows you to add additional exercises to your routine. Do you have any easy apartment exercises that you’d like to share with us here at ForRent.com? We’d love to hear from you. Happy exercising.