Muscular Chairs
Everyday Use: Sitting at the dinner table.
Unexpected Use: Your average dining room chairs can do so much more than support you during a meal.
To firm up that pesky arm jiggle, try some tricep dips. Place your hands on the edge of the chair with your knuckles pointing straight ahead. Put your legs out (slightly bent) and bend your arms to raise your body up and down. The less you use your legs, the more you work your arms.
Step Up Your Workout
Everyday Use: Getting from floor one to floor two.
Unexpected Use: Use your steps to build up your calves and stretch them out.
When you're standing on your stair (hold the rail for support), balance on one foot, and slowly raise up and down. It's a great calf strengthener. Switch legs after about 10 repetitions. To stretch your calves out, simply stand on the step and gently push your heels toward the floor.
Blue Plate Special
Everyday Use: Easy-to-clean picnic fare.
Unexpected Use: Paper plates are not just for the patio anymore. Now, you can get more out of push-ups and squats with one or two paper plates and a carpeted floor.
For your arms, assume the push-up position (on your knees is fine). Then place a paper plate under each of your hands. Now, instead of doing regular push-ups, you can circle your hands while doing push-ups to maximize the movement.
Want to tone your back and shoulders? Lie down on your stomach and practice your Olympic swimmer strokes with your arms. Try the freestyle and breast strokes.
Work your leg muscles in a whole-new way by doing squats with one paper plate under one of your feet. When you squat down, slide your foot out. When you rise up, bring your foot back in. When one leg gets tired, switch the paper plate to the other foot and repeat.
Working on your balance is a great exercise for your entire body. Try standing on one leg, while balancing the paper plate on your thigh while it's raised in the air. If you're feeling ambitious, move your arms in circles in the air to test your balance. Make sure to switch legs after a minute or two.
Foundation of a Fit Body
Everyday Use: Framing doors and stabilizing patios.
Unexpected Use: For a great stretch, grab a door frame.
To open up your shoulders and chest, grab the top of a door frame with both hands and stretch. (It's also a great way to get your blood flowing in the morning.) Want to stretch out your arms? Hold the side of a door with one hand, and spin your body in the opposite direction. You should feel the stretch in your biceps.
Got a deck with a railing? It's a great substitute for a balance bar. If you're balancing on one leg, you can use it for support. And, if you're flexible, put your foot on the railing and lean toward your knee for a great hamstring stretch.
Paint the Scale Red
Everyday Use: Adding a splash of color to your walls.
Unexpected Use: A 1-gallon can of paint is the perfect weight for getting more out of simple exercises.
Doing lunges? Grab a can of paint in your hands to make your legs work harder. Sit-ups? Hold that paint can over your chest while you sit up—your abs will feel the difference. If a whole can of paint is too heavy for you, try holding a can of soup in each hand when doing the previously mentioned exercises.
Having trouble squeezing in a workout during the holidays? Watch this podcast to get some ideas on how to maximize your time.
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