Have you been to O’Connor this year? And not just walked by it for a soccer game or a Manresa tour?
If your answer is yes, that’s great! If not, are you nervous about going to the gym to work out? That’s completely okay, because now you can exercise in the comfort of your room by bringing good form to your dorm.
The following are four basic exercises you can do in a small space; you shouldn’t feel intimidated at all and you can take them at your own pace. Mix and match or do them all while studying, watching Netflix, or after you wake up. Our magic number here is 20 (for 20 reps each) but feel free to customize your routine by doing as many reps and sets as you want.
Helpful Hints:
· If you’re not feeling the burn, you’re not doing it right.
· If you’re feeling the burn in the wrong place, make sure your form is good before continuing.
· You may not be great at the start, but you have to start to be great.
Come on in to my dorm! Follow my lead, and then it’s your turn to burn!
Step-Ups (for cardio/quads): Take your chair and set it in a free space. Make sure it is firmly on the ground or you can have it rest against a wall. Stand in front of the chair, step up with your right foot as if you were climbing stairs, bring your left leg up, then step down on your right foot and bring your left foot down. Repeat each climbing step for 20 reps. Then do 20 reps with your left foot leading.
When you live on the top floor of your dorm, this one is a piece of cake!
Incline Push-Ups (for arm-strength): Do you hate push-ups? These incline push-ups should be a little easier, and you can do them against your bed! Start with your hands resting on the edge, as you look down on your bed. The key is to keep your back straight; you would be able to draw an imaginary straight line from your head to your heels. Next, come down for the push-up with your chest ideally just above the edge of the bed. Then, push-up to your starting position. Repeat for 20 reps.
Keep your body in a straight line. This sure gives a new meaning to rising from your bed!
Side Twists (for abs): Do you have a class that makes you mad? Take out your anger on a heavy textbook with this exercise. In a sitting position, bring your legs up and cross them, balancing on your butt. Take a heavy textbook with two hands and tap it (or pound it) on your right side, maintaining your balance. Come back to your starting position, then tap the book on your left side. Continue this twist for 20 reps with your right side first (40 taps all together).
Don’t let my smile fool you – my anatomy book definitely deserves a few violent pounds on the ground!
Side Leg Raises (for glutes): You can do this exercise while studying! Lie on your side; it helps to rest your head on your left arm and place your right hand on the ground. Have your left leg stacked on top of your right, with toes flexed; once again, your body should be able to make a straight line, with your neck in line with your spine. Raise your left leg without any extra momentum, then bring it down. Repeat for 20 reps, then change sides.
I don’t always beat up my anatomy book, but when I do… I still have to read it when I’m done.