Using Body Weight to Stay Fit

There are countless ways to give your body the daily muscular and cardiovascular exercise it needs to stay fit. Many people spend hundreds of dollars in order to attend the local gym or instructional workout class. For those on a tight budget, there are many ways to accomplish the same goals without the use of exercise equipment or the local gym.

Besides being more convenient, the following well known exercises have been tried and proven to help an individual reach their fitness goals using only an individuals body weight.

Pull ups: Performed by hanging from a horizontal bar and using arms to raise and lower the body. Muscles worked include arms, shoulders, abs, hands and forearms.

Push ups: Performed in the plank position. Arms are used to lower and raise the body. Muscles worked include abdominals, deltoids, pectorals and triceps.

Running / Jogging: Performed by rapidly moving using legs in long strides. Muscles worked include all major lower (main) and upper body muscle groups. Running also helps the internal organs such as the lungs and heart.

Sit ups: Performed by laying on the floor with your back to the ground and knees bent. Feet remain on the floor as abdominals are used to raise and lower the body.

Jumping jacks: Performed by jumping up and down while raising arms above head and spreading legs repeatedly. Muscles worked include all lower and upper body muscle groups. Jumping jacks also helps the internal organs such as the lungs and heart.

Tricep dips: Performed by supporting your body using only your hands. Hands should grip the dip bar (or flat surface) by your sides or slightly behind the back. Tricep muscles are used to lower and raise the body.

Squats: Performed by spreading the legs and lowering your body until knees are about 90 degrees, while keeping your back straight. Muscles worked include hamstrings, hips, buttocks and quads.

There are many options to consider in order to stay fit even if money or time is an issue. Simple exercises can be performed any point during your day when free time is available. With so many well known techniques to get in shape, there is no reason everyone can not start improving their fitness and health.

Author: Jason Gandy

Published: May 31, 2013

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