Do you think you need to go to a gym to get a good workout? Do you struggle with getting in your car and actually driving to the gym or maybe you’re just too tired after work and you don’t feel like making an extra stop. Guess what, you don’t need to go to a gym because your own body can offer more than enough equipment for you to get a complete total body workout. Whether you’re doing cardio, strength training, balance or flexibility, you can accomplish it all by using your own body weight!

Not sure how to do it? Let me give you some tips:

Cardio is pretty self-explanatory. Start moving your body by walking, hiking, jogging, running, or dancing. Of course you can do other cardio vascular exercise using your body as well, but these require additional equipment (i.e. bicycling, swimming, elliptical, boxing, stair climbers, rowing).

Strength training can be accomplished by using your own body weight as resistance. Try this 5 exercise total body circuit. Perform each exercise for 15 repetitions each and repeat 5 total times or circuits.

Squats

Sit-ups

Push-ups

Planks

V-ups

Balance is important to prevent falls and injury. In order to improve upon your balance you must put yourself in an unstable environment. The easiest way to do this by using your own body weight is to simply stand on one leg. Here is one sample balance exercise:

Single leg balance – stand on one leg for 5 seconds and then switch legs and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat for 5 total times on each leg.

Stretching will ensure your joints are able to move freely throughout their intended range of motion. If we do not stretch we can develop muscle imbalances due to the tightness that can buildup in our muscles. Simply spend time each day stretching your own muscles; especially after a workout. Hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds each.