Category: Articles

Fitness and Exercise

Bodyweight workout number 4! Ten mins, ten exercises!

Dr Nancy P

Well this is becoming a bit of a tradition now isn’t it! We’re over 2 weeks into this lockdown now with no sign of it changing anytime soon. So while we’re all still missing our classes here’s another little workout for you!

Once again it’s equipment-free. All you need is yourself, a watch/iphone to time it, and a mat if you want one for your knees/hands.

Always remember anything is better than nothing so you don’t need to do a long exercise session. This is another ten minute circuit – if you have more time then you can always do it twice or three times, but if you don’t then just do it once! Get everyone involved! 🙂

If you want to do it “with me” then there’s a video below.

Or you can use the pics below or download a pdf of the workout here: Bodyweight Circuit 4

Oh and in case you’re wondering why my clients know the fast feet as the seagull dance… this is why: seagull dance (the resemblance is uncanny! 🤣)

Have fun! 🙂

xx

Ps. If you missed the previous workouts they’re here: Bodyweight Circuit 3, Bodyweight circuit 2 and my first one is here (Bodyweight circuit 1)

Fitness and Exercise

Another Quick Bodyweight Home Workout – Another Ten mins, Ten Exercises

Dr Nancy P

Well I’m still missing my classes, as I’m sure many of you are too, so I thought I’d do another little workout for you!

It’s equipment-free. All you need is yourself, a watch/iphone to time it, and a mat if you want one for your knees/hands.

Remember it doesn’t need to be a long session – any exercise is good! This little circuit takes only ten mins again – if you have more time then you can always do it twice or three times, but if you don’t then just do it once! Get everyone involved! 🙂

If you want to do it “with me” then there’s a video below.

Or you can use the pics below or download a pdf of the workout here: Bodyweight Circuit 3

Have fun! 🙂

xx

Ps. If you missed the last workout it’s here (Bodyweight circuit 2) and my first one is here (Bodyweight circuit 1)

 

Fitness and Exercise

A Quick Bodyweight Home Workout – Ten mins, Ten Exercises

Dr Nancy P

I know, like me, many of you are missing your classes and workouts.

I just thought I’d do another quick, equipment-free workout for you guys to try. Remember it doesn’t need to be a 45 min session – any exercise is good! This little circuit takes only ten mins – if you have more time then you can always do it twice or three times, but if you don’t then just do it once! Get the family involved too 🙂

If you want to do it “with me” then there’s a video below.

Or you can use the pics below or download a pdf of the workout here: Bodyweight Circuit 2

Have fun! 🙂

xx

 

Fitness and Exercise

Gym closed? Here are some of my tips for home workout options

Dr Nancy P

With yesterday’s announcement about gym closures I know lots of people are worrying about how to stay fit if you can’t (or don’t want) to leave your home.

Now obviously there is always the option of doing outdoor activities like walking, running and cycling – and in fact you should definitely be doing some of these regardless. The fresh air and daylight will do you the world of good!

It’s currently unclear where we stand with outdoor exercise classes – the guidance does suggest that non-essential social gatherings are also a no no , so it’s a bit of a grey area but you have to make your own choice about that.

So in the meantime home workouts are definitely an option. Switching to home workouts isn’t easy – especially if you’re a class-based exerciser like me. You only need a little bit of space (anywhere will do) but you do need a fair bit of motivation. But it’s worth it, as establishing a workout routine could, most importantly, reduce the anxiety that this whole situation is causing, as well as keep you fit and well.

You don’t need any equipment but if you did decide you wanted to get some then a set of resistance bands (https://amzn.to/2J5MKXy) and some handweights (https://amzn.to/2xVeN9P) or adjustable dumbbells (https://amzn.to/2Uovxhf) and a skipping rope (https://amzn.to/33z73Gt) are probably the best options . Right now though everyone and their dog is buying them so you may find it hard to get hold of them. In the meantime there is loads you can do with body weight (like my post I shared last week – https://everystepfitness.com/2020/03/18/if-you-cant-get-to-thegym-here-are-two-easy-equipment-free-home-workouts-for-you-and-your-family/) or get creative and use household items for handweights (bottles of bleach/cans/ a rucksack filled with books etc).

I thought it would be a good idea to share a few options for home workouts. So here are my favourites for all types of exerciser.

If you are looking for workouts you can watch and follow then there are TONNES of free workouts out there.

⁃ Do a YouTube search for whatever type of workout you fancy and it will bring up 1000’s of options – all free! HIIT, yoga, Pilates, dance, strength training etc – everything is there!

⁃ If that’s all a bit bewildering then two great resources are fitness blender (https://www.fitnessblender.com) and the bodycoach (The Body Coach TV – YouTube ) . Both of these offer hundreds of completely free workouts. Fitness blender has a range of cardio, strength and stretch based workouts. The Body Coach is mostly hiit based stuff but he’s also doing some kids based sessions too at the moment.

⁃ If you want something a bit more polished and app based then it’s worth checking out Peloton (https://www.onepeloton.co.uk). They are doing a 90 day free trial at the moment! The app (which doesn’t require you to buy their bike etc) has loads of easy-to-follow and high-quality videos, including yoga, strength, meditation, cardio and bootcamp classes. There are also audio-only classes for outdoor runs, if that’s still an option for you. 

⁃ If you’re already missing your Les Mills classes then definitely check out Les Mills On Demand (https://www.lesmills.com/uk/ondemand/). There are a variety of all your favourite classes – attack, bodystep, pump etc and you can do them all on the comfort of your home! You don’t need to buy specific les mills equipment – any generic weights will do for example. They have some free workouts and they’re also doing a 14 day free trial.

If you’re considering other options then you could think about some personal training. Most of us are still seeing our PT clients (taking extra care with cleaning and maintaining social distancing) and many of us offer online Pt options too.

If that’s all a bit much and you just want some simple workouts to do without the need for an app or a laptop screen in front of you then just drop me a line. I’m happy to put together some home workouts for people, just like I do for my Pt clients. Just ask – anytime and I’d be glad to help out (free).

Hopefully you can find something you will enjoy doing while we wait for those gyms to reopen and we get to see each other again!

Happy working out – wherever you do it!

Xxx

Fitness and Exercise

If you can’t get to the gym…. two easy home workouts for you and your family

Dr Nancy P

As the coronavirus continues to cause concern worldwide you may find yourself unwilling or unable to get to the gym. Now whilst a few weeks of no gym isn’t the end of the world, it is important to stay active and healthy. Exercise actively helps to keep the immune system functioning so you should be trying to exercise in some way. Walking outside is one brilliant, easy option (or cycling if you have a bike), and activities like gardening are also a great workout.

But if you want something a little more structured or for when the weather isn’t great then it’s good to have some options to do at home.

There are loads of free workouts online – YouTube is awash with them, but sometimes it can all be a bit overwhelming so I thought I’d share with you a a couple of really simple, easy to do anywhere workouts – outside or inside.

Before you start warm up with a light jog on the spot, and limber up those muscles!

The first workout is a circuit- based bodyweight one – the moves are all simple and can be modified as you need. I’ve included skipping but if you don’t have a skipping rope then you can always do a ‘virtual’ pretend skip! You do each move for 45 secs, with 15 secs rest. Once you complete the circuit go back to the beginning and do it again! Do as many circuits as you have time for / can manage! Remember – something is better than nothing – so if you only have ten mins then just do some of it! You don’t have to do a full workout every single time!

There’s a video below if you want to do it along with me! And you can download the pdf here Bodyweight Circuit 1

The second is a great way to get your kids (or housemates/ family) involved and staying active too and is something I give my clients for be summer holidays etc when they can’t get to their usual gym/classes. It’s an easy spelling workout! You can play it however you like – give each other words, or take turns to select words, use your names etc – just have fun with it! You can also change the moves too of course!

You can modify these workouts however you need and if you do need help just drop me a message and I can help you!

Most importantly try to enjoy it! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♂️xx