I always think to myself – do I have time to get to the gym? Do I have time to get to the gym? Of course I should always MAKE time. But there are some days that my schedule really doesn’t allow it. Or sometimes I just need to sleep.
But the truth is… we don’t have to go to the gym to get a workout. All you need is a floor.
Margaret Sabine is the one who told me that. She’s so right!! Not only is Margaret the CEO of Penrose St. Francis, she is also a group fitness instructor. She has been joining us for some workouts on our Workout Wednesday segment during our 9am newscast. This last week, we focused on abs. And that was her message – you don’t HAVE to get to the gym. Just drop to the floor and get your workout in.
Such a great message.
So, here are three simple abdominal exercises she shared with me that I am happy to pass on. And again – you don’t need any fancy equipment. You just need a floor.
1. Lower abdominals - Lay on your back on the floor. Gently lift your knees toward your chest and then lower your heels back to the floor. Repeat 7 times. After the 7th rep, keep your heels off the floor and do 7 more small lifts. Repeat this entire process 3 - 4 times.
2. Oblique abdominals - In the same position, with your knees up and your heels off the ground, rotate your knees gently to the right and then back to the middle. Repeat 7 times. Now do the same thing to the left. Do 3 - 4 repetitions on each side.
3. Upper abdominals - Lay flat on the ground, with your knees bent, lift your shoulders off the floor. Gently return to the floor. Repeat 7 times. After the 7th rep. keep your shoulders off the floor and do 7 small lifts without touching the floor. Repeat the process 3 - 4 times.
And it’s not just abs… think of ALL the great exercises you can do, using only the floor. Push-ups, lunges, jumping jacks, planks, leg lifts… the list goes on! That’s a total body workout, without even leaving your living room.
So, turn off that computer and hit the floor!
