Making a promise to yourself that you’re going to prioritize your physical well-being is easy enough to say. But actually following through on it is another beast altogether. When it comes to working out, people tend to have good intentions and start strong, but they don’t always stick with it. Stuff comes up, excuses happen, and before you know it, you can’t remember the last time you worked out.
Falling off the wagon with working out is normal, but not necessarily a get-out-of-jail-free card when it comes to your goals. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration and motivation to get back into the swing of things. What better day to reassess your goals than National Exercise Day, which happens on April 18?
Rather than struggle to come up with a workout plan, we’ve got 10 easy exercises you can restart your fitness journey with. Ideally, you pick a few off this list, which will provide you with the most benefits.
Walking
If there was one workout that experts in general can agree on that offers optimal results it’s walking. Walking is something that can benefit anyone of any age and any physical fitness level. You don’t need special equipment, no training is necessary, and it can be enjoyed whenever you like. Even if you live in an area that doesn’t get the best weather, you can usually find an indoor track in your town/city. Even a shopping mall or plaza can act as a place to walk.
Walking is great for maintaining a healthy body weight, it’s excellent for your heart health, it helps to fight stress, it keeps your body flexible, and so much more. Just make sure you are walking at a brisk pace; you want to feel like it’s challenging your body.
Lunges
Here’s another simple activity that doesn’t require a gym membership or special equipment. When done using the correct form, lunges do a great job at toning your quadriceps, gluteal, and hamstrings. Even if you think you know how to do a proper lunge, it’s worth watching a few exercise videos first. You want to be sure you’re not using an incorrect form that could cause injury.
Did you know that lunges also help to build balance, something that can fade with time?
Biking
If you own a bike, then you’ve got another fabulous exercise option. Riding a bike engages all kinds of muscles, and it’s a wonderful way to get outdoors and get some vitamin D. You don’t need to hit the trails; even biking through your neighborhood is fabulous.
Try setting personal goals when biking that will push you a little further and help you to work harder.
Push-Ups
When building an at-home workout plan it should always include push-ups. Yes, they are extremely difficult to do but as they say – no pain, no gain.
If you’ve never done push-ups before, it’s recommended you start with the beginner-level option. Simply stand at a counter, such as your kitchen counter, and mimic the push-up action. As your strength improves you can do them from a chair, then onto the floor bending your knees. Once you get to a traditional push you’ll be engaging your triceps, shoulders, core, and chest.
Swimming
There are very few exercises that can engage such a wide array of muscles in a low-impact way, but that’s exactly what swimming offers. It can make working out much easier for people who suffer from stiffness and pain. When you are in the water, your body floats, and all the pressure on your joints is relieved.
You can focus on swimming laps or even something like a water aerobics class.
Abdominal Crunches
This is a very basic exercise that offers optimal results, and that’s why trainers always seem to add them to the program for clients. Abdominal crunches are a great way to build abs and strengthen your core. The one tip to remember when doing crunches is not to pull your neck forward. Your abs need to be doing all the work.
Squats
Want to work on your butt? Wondering how to make your behind look lifted and firm? Squats are the answer you’re after. Squats work several muscles at once, and as you build those muscles they will burn calories faster.
Just like with lunges, it can be helpful to watch some videos on proper form to ensure you’re doing the squats correctly.
Tai Chi
Some people do better when working out with others, which is when a class can make sense. Rather than a typical exercise class, give Tai Chi a try. It’s incredibly welcoming in that it’s easy to understand, everything is done slowly, and the focus is on breathing and proper form. Tai Chi is not only great for the body but also the mind, as it can be a wonderful stress reliever.
Once you start to get to know the moves, then you can practice at home as often as you want.
Dance Workout
It’s hard to believe that something as fun as dancing could be considered exercise, but that is the case. There are plenty of dance classes you can join that act as a full-body workout. If you don’t like the idea of dancing in front of others and you feel self-conscious, look for an online workout that’s easy to follow and with music that keeps you engaged. Almost any dance style can be turned into a workout, so the options are endless.
Planking
Maybe you’ve heard of planking but have no clue what it is. Planking has become huge over the past several years, especially since there were so many social media planking challenges.
The basic concept of planking is simple: you need to get into the push-up position with your toes and palms on the floor, and then make sure your core is tight and your back is straight. Now you need to hold that position as long as possible, making sure not to let your head sag or your back start to arch.
Planking works to strengthen the core and help with stability and balance.