Happy New Year collegiettes! With the New Year come new resolutions. Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular resolutions is to workout more. You may find yourself unmotivated to hit the gym when it’s freezing outside and all you want to do is to stay in your dorm room and watch Netflix—I know I do. So here are some effective exercises that will keep you active and fit without leaving your dorm.
Climb Stairs
Most dorms have more than one floor. Whether your dorm is three stories or ten, climbing stairs is a great and effective exercise. You can tailor how long or how many times you want to go up and down. Run or walk them, climbing stairs will burn and tone your legs. Throw on some layers to intensify the heat and break a sweat. Happy climbing!
Lightweight toning
If you are looking to tone, work with light weights. I like to use either 3lbs or 5lbs when I am doing my arm exercises. If you don’t have a set of weights available be creative! Try lifting gallon water containers. Now with these lighter weights you can do more reps tailored to specific areas. Try 10 reps 3x of hammer curls, bicep curls, triceps curls, and dead lifts. If you want a quick burn, hold your weights out with straight arms for 2 minuets, once your arms begin to feel tired or start to shake, begin little pulses up and down.
Utilize your furniture
Who needs gym equipment when you have dorm furniture! The best way to stay active is to utilize your own body weight. If you have a bed and a desk chair you are set to a great workout.
–Utilize your chair for your triceps dips. Place both hands on the chair end so that your fingers are facing your feet. Scoot your butt out so only your legs and arms are supporting you. Slowly bend your elbows and straighten. Do twenty reps, then ten reps with just your right leg at 90 degrees and another ten reps with your left leg.
–Intensify your push-ups by using your bed frame. Place hands a little wider than shoulder length and make sure your body is at a 45-degree angle. This modified push up helps take the pressure off of your shoulders and allows you to work more on arms. Flatten out the wrists to release the tension and slowly bend and straighten your elbows. Your elbows should make a perfect 90-degree angle. Bring your hands closer together to work the triceps.
Work it out in Downward Dog
As a huge proponent of yoga, I love the time on my mat to not only calm my mind but also undergo a great strength workout. Nevertheless, as busy students, it is hard to find time in our schedules to make it to class, but that’s ok! One of my resolutions is to make time everyday for practice. Whether that means attending class or just a 15 minuets practice, it is better than nothing. I would recommend getting a yoga mat, so that way, you can practice in your own dorm room!
– Chaturanga.
Starting in downward dog, straighten your body into full body plank. Hold and then lower your body by bending your elbows. Hovering a couple inches above the ground, proceed to up dog with your toes tucked under. Finally, return to downward dog. After a couple rounds of deep breathing through each pose, increase the speed of your Vinyasa flow, but make sure your form is solid.
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Sources and Pictures Courtesy of: gazettenet.com, womenshealthmag.com, fitsugar.com, yogaanatomy.net
Edited by Danyelle McInnis