Calisthenics
If you want to build muscle without weights, you’ll need to find some other form of resistance that can break down muscle fibers. Calisthenics are exercises you perform simply using your bodyweight. Examples include:
- Pushups
- Pullups or chin-ups
- Squats
- Lunges
- Planks
These are the classic at-home exercises to stay in shape without weights. Consider incorporating these if you skip the gym.
Yoga
Another way to use your own body weight to work your muscles, while also stretching tight areas of your body, is yoga. This practice started in India, but has gained incredible popularity in the United States in recent years. It may look like simple stretches, but it is an excellent total-body workout, as well. If you learn a few moves, you can easily perform these on your floor at home.
Jogging
This is another very low maintenance exercise. You simply run. If you find some good shoes, you can do this every day for free. Jogging burns a lot of calories and is great for your cardiovascular system.
Hiking
Hiking and walking are just as effective as running at burning calories and staying healthy. Some like to go on long walks in the woods, but strolling around your neighborhood works, too.
Swimming
If you can find a pool or lake around, swimming is another full body exercise that will quickly burn fat and keep your heart and lungs healthy. People are often surprised at how difficult swimming a few laps is. The water provides a lot of resistance and will leave you sore after a short time.
Playing Sports
Before people were going to gyms to lift weights, sports were the common way of staying active and healthy. A pickup game of basketball or soccer is great exercise. It’s also fun and social, which cannot always be said for torturing yourself at the gym.
Dancing
Many are rediscovering the benefits of dancing to stay in shape. Just like sports, they are both fun and social. There are many types of dance you can learn, from modern, to hip-hop, to swing, to country line dancing. Everybody likes music, and almost all of it is made to dance to. Get your body moving to the music and you will likely stay in great shape.
Stay Active
Simply living an active lifestyle, in general, can keep you in shape. Chasing children around the park, touring new cities with friends, bicycle rides, playing at the lake or beach, and any other activity that keeps you off the couch will help you stay fit. You probably do need some real exercise in the mix, as well, but staying active is a big part of a healthy lifestyle.
West Cary Wellness Can Help
Do you need to get on a personalized plan to get back in shape? Those in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and the surrounding areas can trust the experts at West Cary Wellness to customize an exercise program that will get you fit and healthy. It doesn’t matter if you have a gym membership or not. There are a lot of ways to stay in shape if you find something you like to do and stick to it.
