Simple Home Exercises that are Effective

You don’t have to go to a gym to workout. Exercising in the home can be just as effective and much more private than hitting up the local fitness center. If you don’t want to spend the time or money to use a gym, here are some basic in-home exercises that really work.

> Standing squats

This simple exercise works the entire lower body quickly and efficiently. You start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Put your hands with palms together at chest height, and bend your knees until your legs create a right angle with the ground. Then stand back up, and repeat until failure.

> Push-ups

Push-ups are great for developing the chest muscles and triceps. While holding your body off the ground with arms at shoulder-width and feet together on the toes, bend your elbows until your chest nearly touches the floor. Push yourself back up, and repeat until failure. You can change up the placement of your hands to target different muscle groups.

> Sit-ups

Also known as crunches, these exercises can help you get a rock-solid core. Laying down on your back with knees up and feet on the ground, cross your arms over your chest and squeeze your ab muscles to raise your back off the floor. Slowly lower yourself, and repeat until failure.