Moderate resistance training helps strengthen bones, manage weight, and improve posture, sleep, mood, and endurance. The challenge is that fitting it in isn’t always easy — especially when you need to get dinner on the table.
The good news is that you don’t need a gym to fit in a workout; you’ve got all the equipment you need right in your home kitchen. Even a brief kitchen workout can help you maintain a consistent fitness regimen that you can later expand upon. And you might be surprised at just how effective some of these simple moves can be.
Kitchen Workouts You Can Try Today
- Countertop pushups target your triceps, chest, and upper back. Face the counter, place hands shoulder-width apart, step feet backward into a plank, then slowly lower and push back up.
- Stove squats work your quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, interlace fingers behind your head, and squat as close to a 90-degree angle as possible before rising back up.
- Lateral pan raises strengthen your back and shoulders. Hold a pan at your side with palms facing in, then slowly raise it to shoulder height and lower. Switch hands after each set.
- Forearm plate lifts target hard-to-reach forearms. Hold a small plate, raise your arm to shoulder level with a bent elbow, and move your wrist up and down. Switch hands after each set. (If you feel the burn, you’re doing it right!)
Even a short round of these exercises can make a difference in strength and energy — no gym required.
Take the Next Step With Decatur Parks & Recreation
Once you’ve built some momentum at home, consider joining a Decatur Parks & Recreation class to keep the routine going strong. We offer a variety of programs that help build strength, flexibility, and balance in fun, supportive environments, including:
- Senior Functional Exercise classes that focus on safe, effective strength-building
- Tai Chi/Qigong for balance, relaxation, and gentle movement
- Aerobic Dance and Group Exercise classes to keep your energy up while connecting with others
Whether you’re squeezing in countertop pushups while dinner simmers or joining neighbors for a class at one of our centers, fitness in Decatur is always within reach.
Explore upcoming classes and programs in our October-December Playbook.