Gym memberships can be another unwelcome and costly monthly expense. Fortunately, you can still stay fit and healthy without being a member of a gym. There are a number of very intensive, effective and fun workout routines you can do in your own home or in the great outdoors to get yourself in good shape.
Home Abdominal Exercise
The best abdominal exercise of all is the bicycle kick, according to the American Council on Exercise, and this can be performed in your own home without any equipment. To do the bicycle kick, lie on your back, place your hands behind your head and raise your knees. This is the starting position. Now elevate and twist the torso to the left and bring the elbow to the opposing knee while the other leg straightens. Repeat on the other side.
Circuit Training
Circuit training is a series of work stations where you spend a minute exercising before quickly moving on to the next station. You can design your own circuit training course outdoors by using short shuttle runs and stopping in between runs to perform a body weight exercise, such as a push-up or a sit-up. The constant changes in activity mean the body is unable to enter a comfort zone and more efficient at burning calories.
Hyper Intensity Interval Training
Hyper intensity interval training, or HIIT, is an effective way to burn off fat, according to MayoClinic.com. HIIT is a method of training rather than a type. This means you can apply HIIT to your favorite or usual form of cardio, whether it is running, swimming, cycling or something else. You perform HIIT by creating intervals of high- and low-intensity work, switching between the two every minute or so and keeping the body from entering a comfort zone.
Active Hobbies
Taking up an active and enjoyable hobby can be a great way to take the need for willpower out of staying fit. MayoClinic.com recommends team sports, such as basketball and volleyball, as being great cardiovascular workouts. Rollerblading is ranked by MayoClinic.com as being second only to running in its ability to burn fat in a hour session.
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