Don’t have extra time to hit the gym today?  Don’t have time in general to ever be at a gym?  Can’t afford a gym membership?  Use your surroundings to your advantage and remember that exercising doesn’t have to mean paying for a gym membership!  Have stairs at work or at home?  Use them!  Go up and down the stairs during breaks, to and from meetings, and over your lunch break to get some exercise!  Go for a walk or jog outside after work or even during your lunch break!  Can’t afford weights?  Use canned goods or other food products to lift!  Are you sick of using the treadmill and other exercise machines?  Remember that there are a variety of “self-sufficient” exercises that can be done in the comfort of your own home, using your own body weight, and don’t cost a dime!  Jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges, mountain climbers to name a few!

Using your surroundings is an efficient way to fit in some exercise during your day.  I find that doing these “self-sufficient” exercises (jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges, mountain climbers, etc) are great because I use my own body weight and natural surroundings.  For me,”self-sufficient” exercises are the best workout because of the variety and flexibility that they provide.  I can do a different variety of exercises each day without getting bored, can do them inside or outside, at home or away from home, and the workout can be long or short.  It is a very convenient exercise routine because I can workout anywhere easily without an excuse.  Further, I have found that using my own body weight is easy, fun, and has proven to be better because machines were hard on my joints.  Hence, next time you think you don’t have the time or money for a workout, try using your own body weight and surroundings to get ahead!

~jj