Using Body Weight as Resistance

As fitness professionals, we often hear that peoople have trouble fitting exercise into their busy schedules. It is a common notion that a gym membership is necessary for one to get in shape or stay in shape. While a gym membership can be helpful and fun, achieving a healthy fitness level and maintaining it can be done without one. Some of the most challenging exercises to perform are those that involve using the body weight as resistance. A simple circuit can be developed of timed intervals, such as 30 seconds in which an individual performs push ups, crunches, squats, lunges, burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, planks, dips on a chair or stair, or many other exercises that challenge you to use your own body weight. These can all be done in your home or hotel room and require minimal space. On a nice day, you can also go outside to your yard or a park and add some intervals of light jogs, sprints, side shuffles, hops or skips, or power walks. All it takes is a little creativity and a will to get it done!