GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

8 Easy Ways to Transform Your Home Into a Personal Gym

Stuck inside this winter? These household items are all you need to become a lean, mean fat-burning machine without leaving the house
Photo 5/9
A Box of Detergent
Use it to replace: A kettlebell

How: With a core-centric move that challenges you to focus on your form and agility for a full-body workout

Try: Off Set Farmer's Carry
This workout works best with a box of detergent with a handle. Pick up the box of detergent with one hand and stand with your arms straight. They key here is use your core strength to keep your shoulders level as if you were carrying weight in both hands. Walk 20 steps forward, turn around, and walk 20 more steps. Set the box down and switch hands. If you sway or have to change your gait, start with fewer steps and work your way up as you feel comfortable.

Photo 6/9
Bottles of Water
Use it to replace: Light hand weights

How: Take advantage of the lighter weight by performing your usual curls and presses with higher repetitions. For even more burn, hold a plank for 30 seconds followed by 10 pushups before picking up your water bottles.

Try: Bicep Curls
Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Hold a water bottle in each hand with your palms facing upward. Keeping your upper arms completely still, exhale and curl the water bottles upward while contracting your biceps. Then, inhale and slowly begin to lower the water bottles back to the starting position. Complete 3 sets of 15 reps.

Photo 7/9
Paper Plates
Use it to replace: Fitness Gliders

How: Challenge your hard-to-target areas like your obliques by creating slip on hardwood floors or carpet

Try: Mountain Sliders
Start in a plank position with a paper plate underneath each foot. Brace your core and bend your left knee, sliding your foot up towards your left hand, bringing your knee as close to your arm as you can. Quickly slide your left leg back to start as you slide the right knee up towards your right arm. Continue alternating sides 20 times.

Photo 8/9
A Towel
Use it to replace: A resistance band

How: Combine a resistance exercise that works the arms with a lower body move to kill two birds with one stone

Try: V Squats
Start by standing with feet a little wider than hip width apart. Grip the ends of the towel with each hand and hold it taut overhead, pulling for resistance. Lower down into a squat, bringing the towel down in front of your chest until it is parallel to the floor, then squeeze your glutes and return to standing, raising the towel overhead again. Complete three sets of 10.

Photo 9/9
A Couch
Use it to replace: Captain's Chair Machine

How: Instead of curling up on the couch, sit upright to target your lower abs

Try: Couch Criss Crosses
Sit on the very edge of your couch and brace your core to maintain a straight, upright posture. Straighten your legs out in front of you and point your toes. Use your abs to cross your legs back and forth in a scissor motion for 60 seconds.

MAY 22, 2015 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.