Carry your groceries to the car
If you’ve got only a few bags to take to the car, skip the shopping trolley and carry your bags to the car, Blamo says. Load up each arm equally and let the bags hang down each side, without bending your arms at the elbow as you walk. You’ll strengthen your upper back, shoulders, and core – and avoid having to return an empty trolley.
Do your chores
Get your chores done. It’s that simple. You’ll get some exercise and a sparkling house as a bonus. Put on some music, listen to your favourite podcast, or even call your mum to make the time pass more quickly.
Be less efficient
We pride ourselves on being masters of multitasking – we bring the laundry upstairs when we’re going to get dressed; we drop by the bathroom on our way back from a water break. Consider how much more exercise you’d get naturally if you separated all these tasks. Instead of trying to be efficient, consciously do one thing at a time. It may take longer, but you’ll log dozens of more trips up and down the stairs, around the office and around town. All this movement really adds up. According to a 2011 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, people who do more ‘incidental’ activities – like sweeping or taking the stairs instead of the elevator – have better heart-lung function than those who don’t. As a bonus, these random acts of exercise also protect the brain as we age, according to a 2018 study in PLoS ONE.
Here are some of the best cardio workouts you can do at home.
