4 Effective Exercises to Try While Waiting for Your Coffee

You know those few minutes you have while waiting for your coffee to brew or your breakfast to heat up? Our DIY contributor, Jamie King, has some great exercises you can do during that downtime to burn some calories!

Summer is here, and we’re all busy with work, events, and life in general. But staying active is still important, even when you’re constantly on the move. For many of us, it’s easier to fit in some quick exercises in the morning rather than trying to squeeze them in later when things become unpredictable.

Even if you have a packed day, you can still find time to exercise. All you need is about 4 to 5 minutes—the average time it takes for your coffee or tea to brew—for a quick total body workout that will help you feel better and more productive all day long.

Here are four quick exercises you can do in your kitchen while you wait:

1. **High-Knees**:
Start with a heart-rate booster like high-knees. Stand tall with your legs hip-width apart. Slowly bring your right knee up toward your chest without overexerting your muscles. Then do the same with your left knee. Once you’re comfortable, speed it up and alternate between legs at a faster pace. Try this for 30 seconds initially, then increase to 1 or 2 minutes as you get used to it.

2. **Speed Squats**:
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Inhale as you push your hips back and bend your knees until your thighs are just below parallel to the floor. Exhale and quickly straighten your legs. Use your thighs and glutes to power up. To up the ante, you can turn this into jump squats. Aim for 10-15 reps to tone your legs and get your heart rate going.

3. **Planks**:
Get down on the floor in a press-up position but support your weight on your forearms. Make sure your body is parallel to the floor by engaging your core muscles. Hold this position for 1 minute.

4. **Countertop Push-Ups**:
Use your kitchen countertop for this exercise. Stand a few feet away from the counter, place your hands shoulder-width apart, and lift onto your heels so your body forms a plank position. Lower your chest toward the counter while keeping your elbows in, and then push back to the starting position. Do as many as you can in 30 seconds.

For a more relaxed start to your day, here are some stretches:

1. **Arm Circles**:
Stand straight, lift your arms out to your sides, and make small circles, gradually making them larger. Do this for one minute forward and one minute backward.

2. **Overhead Tricep Stretch**:
Reach your right arm up and behind your neck, and stretch your left hand behind your back toward your right hand. Try to get your hands as close together as possible.

3. **Seated Forward Bend**:
Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out straight from your hips. Lean forward, reaching for your toes and feet with your hands.

4. **Downward Dog**:
Start in a plank position with your hands under your shoulders and toes tucked under. Exhale and lift your pelvis towards the ceiling, forming an upside-down “V”. Push your shoulders down towards the floor and try to bring your heels closer to the ground for a deeper stretch.

Keep these exercises handy, and you’ll never miss a workout again! Tape them to your fridge as a reminder.

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