Get Fit Without the Gym With These Easy Micro Exercises You Can Do All Day

If the idea of spending hours at the gym makes you dread exercise, you may be looking for a more enjoyable alternative. Instead of lengthy workouts, these quick micro exercises will help you to tone up and trim down without setting foot in a gym — in fact, you can do them even while you're doing other tasks!

  • Crunchless crunches. Strengthen your abs while sitting at your desk or walking around the grocery store. Simply tighten your abdominal muscles by sucking in your stomach slightly. Hold this move for 3 to 5 seconds, and then release and repeat for as many reps as you like.
  • Break for squats. While cleaning your house or even working in your cubicle, take periodic breaks for squats. Do 5 or 10 squats at a time until you complete a set of 100.
  • Relax into a wall sit. While reading documents at work or watching your favorite TV show at home, do a wall sit instead of sitting in a chair. Use your core muscles to keep you steady, and even work in some tiny pulses in your legs to tone your glutes.
  • Stop, drop and push up. When you're doing a somewhat active chore, such as walking the dog or doing the dishes, stop every few minutes to do a round of push-ups.

Mile Posts: 5 Easy Exercises You Can Do All Day [Women's Running]
Deskercise! 33 Smart Ways to Exercise at Work [Greatist]
5 Crazy Simple Ways to Fit in More Exercise [Women's Health]

Spring Into Shape With These Outdoor Exercise Tips

The dreary winter cold can leave you in a bit of an exercise rut, but the springtime sun makes everyone more motivated to get outdoors and get in shape. These exercise tips will help you get in your best shape ever—all while experiencing the great outdoors.

Buddy up.
There are a number of different reasons why working out with another person is helpful, but the number one reason is because it’s more fun! You’ll look forward to working out much more if you have a friend by your side, and being outdoors will be that much more motivation.

Improve your gear.
It’s beneficial to have the proper shoes and workout attire, especially when you’re exercising outdoors. Warm thermal shirts are important for the days when it’s not quite springtime weather, and breezy, breathable fabrics help once the temperature reaches its full potential. Having the proper outdoor running shoes can also prevent injuries and make you feel more comfortable on the pavement.

Experiment with exercises you haven’t tried before.
You probably haven’t jumped rope since gym class, but this fun and simple outdoor activity burns up to 208 calories in just 20 minutes. Swimming is another fun outdoor activity, and starting slow with a few leisurely laps makes it much less intimidating.

Spring Training Fitness Tips [Shape]
Great Spring Exercise Ideas [Fitness.com]

Turn Your Home at BLVD l Loudoun Station Into a Workout Studio With These Simple Tips

Want to break a sweat without hitting up the gym? These simple workout ideas will show you how to create a space for exercise in your own apartment at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

  1. Do yoga. With so many online yoga classes and free tutorials, you can get in a complete yoga class right at home. Clear away clutter and extra furniture, dim the lights, and even light a few candles to create that yoga studio atmosphere (even if you’re just in your living room).
  2. Sweat it out with cardio. Start by clearing the furniture out from the center of your living space, and then pop in an instructional workout DVD. If you’re worried about the sound disturbing your neighbors downstairs, do your workout on a thick area rug or a non-slip exercise mat.
  3. Do some strength training. Invest in small-scale strength training equipment to build muscle even without pumping iron. Things like exercise bands, hand weights, and kettlebells are perfect for toning your biceps even in your apartment.
  4. Create a circuit. Many trainers agree that circuit training is one of the most effective types of exercise. Create your own at-home circuit by working with your apartment’s furniture, including step-ups onto a chair, crunches with your feet under the sofa, and sprints up and down stairs.

How to Build a Home Gym Anywhere [Men's Fitness]
Fitness Pros Weigh In: Essentials of a "No Frills" Home Gym [Apartment Therapy]
10 Small-Space Home Gym Hacks for Your Tiny Apartment [Brit + Co]

3 Health Benefits of Strength Training Exercises

Even if you don’t plan on bulking up or competing in weight lifting competitions any time soon, strength training is a crucial part of any exercise regimen. Here are three great reasons to incorporate weight training into your workouts.

  1. It promotes strong bones. Weakening bones is a concern that all people have to face as they age. The stress that strength training puts on your bones increases their density and prevents osteoporosis, keeping you strong and healthy as years pass.
  2. It helps to control your weight. While you might relate weight loss with intense cardiovascular workouts, strength training is just as important if you want to lose weight. Gaining muscle increases your metabolism and causes your body to burn calories more efficiently.
  3. It gives you more energy. Like all workouts, strength training increases your stamina and helps you to stay alert and focused. After a few weeks of regular weight lifting or body weight exercises, you’ll notice that you feel more energized throughout the day. Some scientific studies even show that years of regular strength training exercises help to sharpen your focus and keep your mind attentive as you age.

Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier [Mayo Clinic]
7 Reasons to Add Strength Training to Your Workout Routine [Everyday Health]
Benefits of Strength Training [Body Building]

How to Exercise Outdoors Safely During the Summer

While running outdoors in the summer can be more enjoyable than in the winter, it comes with its own set of adjustments and safety hazards. Whether you already have a set running schedule or you’re looking to begin a morning jogging routine this summer, here are a few things that you should know to help beat the heat.

  1. Choose the right time of day. Instead of running during your lunch break when the sun is at its hottest, opt instead for an early morning or late afternoon jog. As a general rule, avoid running during the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  2. Wear sunscreen. You might not think about it like you would, say, at the beach, but you’re at just as much risk for sunburn while running. Be sure to wear something around SPF 45.
  3. Stay hydrated from the get-go. Most runners recommend drinking a full glass of water before you even set out on your run to avoid dehydration. While running, stop for a drink every 15 minutes (even if you’re not thirsty).
  4. Pay attention to your body. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseated while running, slow to a walk (or stop running altogether) and seek out a shaded spot to rest.

8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat [Active.com]
20 Ways To Have a Rockin' Outdoor Workout [Greatist.com]
Summer Safety: 8 Outdoor Fitness Training Tips To Help You Keep Cool [Medical Daily]

Track Your Mileage With These Apps for Runners

Keep track of your run every time you set out on the trail or treadmill with these great smartphone apps designed especially for runners. With built-in GPS, pedometer, and map features, each of these apps will significantly improve the way you record your workouts.

MapMyRun
MapMyRun is a simple GPS app that’s made to help runners record their times and distances. Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply trying to beat your own personal record, this app will provide a complete map of the area you run, deliver stats like time and speed, and even enable you to compare your current run to your times from the past.

RunKeeper
Map your runs and connect with fellow runners all on the RunKeeper app. This app operates just like many other GPS running logs, but it lets you see where your friends have been running, as well. Follow pre-planned routes to maximize the roads in your area, and even receive pace, speed, and mileage audio alerts as you run.

Runner’s World
The popular magazine’s app version offers the same invaluable running information and interesting articles just for avid runners. Read up on things like the right foods to eat before a big run, and check out the latest outdoor running shoes and other product reviews.

Learn the Benefits of Strength Training

The CDC has found that strength training a few times a week can have a profound impact on a person’s emotional and physical health. Here are just a few reasons why:

Healthy Heart Tissue
When the body is leaner, a person’s risk of heart disease is drastically reduced. Lifting weights just three times per week can help to minimize the risk of heart disease and even act as rehabilitation for those with existing heart problems.

Healthy State of Mind
Strength training can even act as a natural alternative to anti-depressant medications in adults, as a person’s improved self-esteem has such a powerful impact on his or her self-worth. 

Visit the CDC's website to see more benefits of strength training!

Why Strength Training? [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Start Your Physical Activity Plan With These Motivational Tips

You want to lose weight and begin a healthy workout routine, but going to the gym seems so intimidating. If you’ve ever felt discouraged or frustrated with working out, this motivational guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help you get up off the couch and onto the treadmill.

Whether you’re just getting involved with a fitness routine or simply trying to get back into the habit of working out, this guide will help you to make exercising fun and approachable. By simply replacing a few nights of watching television after dinner with a walk around the neighborhood, you can greatly improve your health and lose those excess pounds.

Many people are faced with obstacles in either their lives or their bodies that prevent them from getting enough physical activity. This guide will help you overcome obstacles like not having enough time to exercise, feeling tired and worrying about injuries, and it will even show you how you can take your children with you as you work out if you’re a busy parent.

Now that you have the motivation to make time for physical activity, you’ll start to feel better about your health and your appearance. 

Getting Started with Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight  [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Stay Motivated While Working Out With These Apps

It's important to stay motivated while working out. There are plenty of apps on the market that aim to make it easier. Here are our favorite apps for working out. 

Fit Radio
Available for iPhones and Android, Fit Radio creates the perfect workout mix to keep you motivated during your workout. The app picks only upbeat tunes, making sure you stay pumped up with great music. 

Nike Training Club
his app is like your personal trainer — but way cheaper. Just enter your goal and work out level. Nike Training Club will give you a list of exercises with detailed instructions and audio guides. When you're workout is done, you'll receive a report with time spent and calories burned. Available for iPhone and Android. 

RunKeeper
If you're a runner, you need this app. Using your phone's GPS, this app will track your progress while running, walking, or biking. Check your pace, distance, and time. Audio cues will give you motivation and progress while you're running. Available for iPhone and Android. 

Pocket Yoga
Now you can practice yoga anywhere with Pocket Yoga. Choose your difficulty level and duration to begin a yoga class. You'll be guided through each pose with audio instructions. Available for iPhone and Android. 

When It’s Warm Out, Enjoy These Activities!

Warm weather beckons us to move outdoors. If the sunshine is calling you outside, here are a few ways to make the most of those sunny days.

Nature Walk
Head outdoors and commune with nature. Venture to the local park and take in the beauty of your environment as you fill your lungs with fresh air.

Attend a Sporting Event
Whether you get tickets to a minor league baseball game or attend your child’s lacrosse tournatment, getting outdoors to enjoy some good old-fashioned competition is what great weather is all about!

Picnic
If you find yourself graced with a lovely weekend day, pack a picnic and enjoy your meal outside. Bring a book so that after your lunch, you can enjoy some leisure reading.

Play a Game
Act like a kid and invite a friend to play a casual game of one-on-one basketball. Or grab your tennis racket and head to the court. Don’t worry about keeping score, just enjoy being outside!

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