Friday Fitness: No Equipment, No Excuses Cardio Workout Routine

So let’s be honest, sometimes it is hard to get to the gym. Whether it is freezing temperatures and ice on the road, or a weekend away where exercise equipment is at a premium, there are times when it seems nearly impossible to get to the gym. So should we tell ourselves, “oh well, I tried” or “oh yes, time to get creative!”

Well, I am going to get creative for you and give you 10 bodyweight cardio exercises that can be done anywhere—at home or even on vacation! So no excuses for not getting that heart rate up!

Heart Pumping Exercises:

• Skip: Flash back to the playground for this fun activity. Starting on the right foot, jump off the ground, drawing the left knee into the chest. Land softly on the right foot and then explode up on the left foot, drawing the right knee into the chest.


• High Knees: This one can be done at high or low intensity. Alternate bringing one knee into the chest, then place it on the ground; alternate with the other leg. Pick up the pace for some quick cardio.


• Jumping Jack: An obvious but good cardio exercise. Start in a standing position, hands by your sides and legs together. Jump your legs out, wider than shoulder width apart and bring your arms straight up over your head; return to starting position. To modify, maintain the arm movement up over head but step side to side instead of jumping.


• Burpee: The pushup is optional in this exercise, but included for some extra strength if you chose to challenge yourself even more. Start in an upright, standing position, bend down and place hands on the ground by your feet. Kick your feet back or step back to a plank position. Hold (insert push-up here if comfortable) and then jump or walk feet back to hands and jump up. Repeat.


• Mountain climber: Start in a plank position on the ground, bring one knee in toward the chest then replace and alternate with the other leg. Pick up the pace to really move over those mountains.


• Squat jump: Begin by lowering down into a squat and then jump up putting air between your feet and the ground. To engage the arms, drop them toward the ground as you are lowering into the squat and push straight up into the air as you are jumping.


• Long jump: You don’t have to be facing a pit of sand to enjoy the benefits of the long jump. Start by lowering into a slight squat position, pump the arms and jump forward landing with soft knees and both feet at the same time.


• Jump rope: These are small jumps up and down, landing with soft knees (slight bend). If you don’t have a jump rope then simply move the hands like you were holding the handles. A jump rope is a great piece of fitness equipment because it doesn’t take up too much space in your suitcase when traveling!


• Bicycle: Lie on your back with your feet at a 90 degree angle in the air: knees right under the hip, and feet in line with the knees. Keep the hands by the hips and alternate extending each leg and drawing in. It’s just like riding a bike!


• Flutter kicks: Not just for the pool. Lie on your stomach with hands folded in front of you, relax either your head or chin onto your hands. Squeezing the glutes and lifting the legs off the ground, flutter the legs continuously. Try lifting the thighs up off the ground too. Kick, kick, kick, kick!

Friday Fitness: 10 Minute Travel Workout

Does your workout routine ever suffer when you find yourself traveling more often? Many Americans travel every single week for business. This is the story for many Hilton Head Health Guests as well. How do they make it work and stay consistent?

Traveling is one of the biggest barriers to keeping not only eating habits on point, but also a consistent fitness routine. I’d have to say this has a lot to do with not knowing what to do. You’re not always going to have a treadmill or set weights so sometimes you have to improvise. Time and time again you’ll hear from us that you need very little equipment to get a solid workout in. What’s even better is that with a few common hotel room items you can complete the entire workout with privacy in your very own room. Check out our quick 10minute video. Feel free to add time as you circuit through the movements. Don’t forget your towel and pillow!



25 Jumping Jacks
20 Chair Squats
10 Pillow Push Ups
5 Bicycle Crunches

Here are some great applications to find different no equipment needed workouts on your next trip…
1) Shape Travelista ($1.99)
2) ExerciseTV (Free)
3) CrossFit Travel ($1.99)

It's In The Bag: How to Avoid Gaining Weight while Traveling

Worried about gaining weight when you travel?  Try packing your luggage a bit differently.

 

We’d all deem it a whopping success if we could return from travel weighing the same amount we did before we left.  But when you’re on the road, you’re under more stress than other times.  So much so that we lose sight of our plan and give ourselves an excuse to go wild.  Could keeping the pounds off be as simple as how we pack our luggage?  I think so…

One of my favorite authors Malcolm Gladwell, author of the Tipping Point, coined a phrase called “The Power of Context.”  It simply states that human behavior is sensitive to and strongly influenced by its environment.  If you can create an atmosphere while traveling that reverberates your passion for health and fitness you’d be more likely to succeed. 

So, here’s what I suggest.  Create a checklist of items you’ll pack into your luggage (or use mine from below).  From now on when you pack your luggage start by packing all your leisure and/or business items and toiletries.  Finally, you’ll use your checklist to pack all the health and fitness items at the top. 

Friday Fitness: On the Go!

H3 Fitness Director Adam Martin and H3 Guest Lisa give you a quick and easy workout for those on the go!  With a resistance band, you can get in a full body routine practically anywhere in under 15 minutes.  No excuses!

H3 Daily to the Holiday Rescue!

Yesterday’s Holiday Survival Guide blog gave you tips on how to maintain your sanity, and weight, but I thought I would point out just a few items on this very website that may be of extra help during the holidays.  Check them out…and pass them on to your friends and family!

• Pressed for time during the holidays?  Fulfill your cardio and strength training requirements at once with our Quick and Easy: Full Body 30 Minute Routine!


• Traveling or simply don’t have access to a gym?  No excuses with our No Equipment Required: Travel Routine.  You can do this workout anywhere – on the go or even in your own home!


• Organize and prioritize your time with our Daily and Weekly Task Manager journals.  Schedule in a workout, as well as time to de-stress with a fun or relaxing activity!


• R-E-L-A-X and take a quick break from the everyday pressures and chaos with a few relaxation techniques. 


• Enjoy your favorite recipes with healthy alternatives.  Check back later this week for a Holiday Recipe special – including a Southern favorite – Pecan Pie!


• Set H3 Daily as your homepage so that every time you log-on to check your email – you will have a daily nutrition article, stress tip, recipe or fitness routine waiting for you!


• If all else fails, remember you can email or call our program staff at ANY TIME!  We are here to help!

Hitting the Road Soon? – Downloadable Travel Routine

By: Adam Martin, H3 Fitness Director

 

 

The holiday travel season is upon us and I’m sure that you are searching through your H3 binder for a strength training solution while on the road.  Have no fear, Adam is here!  I have included a downloadable copy on this blog post that you can print out and keep in your luggage.  I suggest that you put it on top of your clothing rather than buried at the bottom. 

 

You’ll notice that you need no weights, bands or machines to complete this full body strength training routine.  Therefore, NO EXCUSES!

 

Try completing this routine once per week while on the road in addition to frequent aerobic exercising like walking.  One time per week will prevent muscle atrophy and help you behaviorally transition back into your typical routine when you arrive home.

Click to view the entire routine.