What kinds of exercise can I do while watching TV?

Question

While its cold out, I want to be able to exercise while I'm just sitting inside watching TV so I can at least get something done.

So what are some simple things I could do, either while watching, or during commercials, while sitting in a chair or laying in bed.

I'm willing to work on anything, stretching, love handles, legs...just anything low impact and easy.

I've tried running up and down stairs and jogging in place. Anything else I can do inside my dorm room?

Answer 1

I am going to really focus on the point that you want to do this while watching TV, so I'll leave out traditional oldies-but-goodies for at home exercising like sit-ups and push-ups, because it's hard to watch your shows while you're going up and down, up and down, and up and down!

The best overall exercise you can do while watching TV, if your knees are good, is the squat. Place your legs apart, slighly wider than your shoulders, to keep your balance, and place your arms directly in front of you. Keeping your back straight (imagine a pole running from your rear end to your skull) squat down and up. You can do quick groups of large numbers in groups to tone, or make it more difficult by doing slow, low, dips in concentrated groups of 5 or so until your legs get too tired.

If you're willing to invest a little money:

Cheap - get a set of stretching bands (you can find them at most discount stores like Wal-Mart or Target or K-Mart...you don't have to go expensive) and use the instructions with them to work nearly every muscle in your body. You can also get one or two free weights in a weight that is just heavy enough that you wouldn't want to lift it unless you had to, and follow the same rules above for toning vs. building muscle.

Mid-Priced: Get a blow-up exercise ball. These things are horrible to blow up, but excellent for all kinds of exercise and stretching. One great stretch for a part of the body that doesn't get stretched much is to lay on your back on the ball, put your hands outstretched in front of you and place them together then let them fall (arms still straight, stiff) directly to the side in a style similar to making your body a cross. This really stretches your back, neck, and shoulders, which, if you sit at a desk all day, get stiff. You can then watch TV as it's really comfortable, but you'll be watching upside down.

The great thing is even sitting on the ball like a chair, you'll help tone your "core" by your body making the subtle changes necessary to stay balanced on the ball. You can work that by sitting and watching and rotating your waist back and forth and front and back. You'll get a workout.

Expensive -- buy an exercise bike. It's excellent exercise and minimizes the head movement (like in sit-ups, push-ups, or on a rowing machine) that would make watching TV less enjoyable.

This is a good question and a good thing to be committed to fitness. Good luck!

Answer 2

I started on a physical therapy regimen after knee surgery last year, and I've found this to be easy and effective. Get a stationary bike. They don't run for too much, you could always look for an older, used one. However, it's really easy to ride for half an hour at a low impact setting (between 1 and 3) while you watch television. Best distraction ever!

Answer 3

if u dont have one try buying a work out ball

u know the big ones

i always sit and watch tv and put it between my legs and squeeze in working the inner thighs

and u can sit on it and do crunches. it actually give u a better crunch

Answer 4

I do lots of jumping jacks, leg kicks, situps, pushups, jump rope,
squats, and light weights (if you don't have nay you could use canned food-just make sure the are the same weight) and I am really toning up nicely ... you might try it...it really does work.

Answer 5

you can run in place do jumping Jack's leg lifts sit up's push up's
dancing =)

Answer 6

how about sit ups or crunches, jump rope or weights?

Answer 7

up and down motions from snack bowl to mouth would be fun

Answer 8

squats..................