When you’re stuck at home on a rainy day or short on time, this is all the gym you need to get a routine done.
When you’re stuck at home on a rainy day or short on time, this is all the gym you need to get a routine done.
Behold the most efficient workout circuit: no weights necessary, not much floor room to clear, zero need for anything else that can make exercise a nonstarter. “By facing the different parts of the chair – back, sides, front, and seat – you essentially have five exercise stations,” says trainer Sara Haley, the creator of the Expecting More prenatal fitness video program, who has made the common chair her workout go-to.
Plus, the chair functions as a spotter and an added challenge for body-weight moves. “For example, most people don’t get their knees nearly high enough doing high knees , but if you turn them into toe taps on the chair seat, your heart, legs, and abs will work harder,” Sara says. As for push-ups, the elevated surface offers a modification that – unlike push-ups done on your knees – still demands stability from your core (keep the chair pressed against a wall so it doesn’t slide). And doing leg lifts from a bent-over position, with hands on the seat back instead of on all fours, makes the lifts higher and the balance demand on your core greater.
Sara has got your moves at right for a solid, total-body workout. Go for three full circuits, and you’re good to get on with your day.
A chair can add challenge to just about any body-weight move.
1 Toe Tap
Works: abs, quads, hamstrings, calves
Stand facing the front of the chair and quickly alternate lifting your knees high to lightly tap the seat with your toes. Go for speed. Do 30 reps on each leg, pumping your arms.
2 Up and Over
Works: back, abs, butt, hamstrings
Stand facing the back of chair. Hold top with both hands, using it as a barre. Walk feet backwards until your back and extended arms are parallel to the floor to start (you’ll be looking at floor). Lift your right leg up behind you to hip level, then bring it out to side; next, lower to side to touch toes to floor. Reverse motion back to start. Do 10 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
3 Pulse Squat Jump
Works: butt, quads, hamstrings, calves
Stand with back facing the seat of the chair. Take 2 steps away (so your booty just touches the seat if you try to sit). Lower into a squat and pulse 3 times, each time tapping butt to seat, then jump straight up. Do 20 reps.
4 Oblique Push-Up
Works: shoulders, chest, triceps, core, obliques
Facing the chair, place your hands on the sides of the seat. Walk your feet backwards until you’re in a plank, forming a straight line from head to ankles to start. Keeping your elbows close to your sides, lower your chest down to the chair. Press away from the seat to return to plank, then draw your right knee to your right elbow. Return right foot to plank, then draw left knee to left elbow. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 reps.
TEXT LAUREN MAZZO PHOTO 123RF.COM
