Ever find yourself with a few spare minutes while waiting for your coffee to brew or your breakfast to heat up? Well, here’s how you can use that time to your advantage with some quick exercises!
Summer’s here, and with everything else going on, it’s easy for our fitness routine to fall behind. To keep active, try starting your day with some simple exercises. No matter how packed your schedule is, fitting in exercise is easier than you think. You can get a full-body workout in just 4 to 5 minutes—the time it takes to make your morning drink—and feel better and more energized all day long.
Check out these four exercises you can do right in your kitchen while waiting for your coffee or tea:
1. **High-Knees:** Get your heart rate up with this wake-up move. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. Lift your right knee towards your chest, and then switch to your left knee. Start slowly, then speed it up as you get the hang of it. Do this for 30 seconds, and as you improve, work up to 1 or even 2 minutes.
2. **Speed Squats:** Stand with feet hip-width apart. Inhale as you squat down, keeping thighs just below parallel. Exhale and quickly stand up again, powering through with your legs and glutes. Aim for 10-15 reps. For an extra challenge, try jump squats.
3. **Plank:** Get into the plank position using your forearms, keeping your body in a straight line. Hold this for 1 minute to really engage your core muscles.
4. **Countertop Push-Ups:** Stand a few feet from the counter, place your hands shoulder-width apart, and rise on your toes so your body is in a plank. Lower your chest to the counter and push back up. Do as many as you can in 30 seconds.
If you’re in the mood for something gentler to start your day, try these stretches:
– **Arm Circles:** Standing straight, lift your arms to form a “T” and make small circles, gradually increasing to larger ones.
– **Shoulder Stretch:** Reach your right arm up and behind your neck, and your left hand behind your back, aiming to touch hands for a good shoulder stretch.
– **Seated Toe Touch:** Sit with legs straight, lean forward, and reach for your toes for a nice stretch along your back and hamstrings.
– **Downward Dog:** Start on all fours, then lift your hips toward the ceiling to form an upside-down “V.” Push your shoulders down and try to lower your heels for a deeper stretch.
Keep these exercises and stretches handy, and you’ll always have a quick workout option no matter how busy life gets!
