7 Common Household Items That Level Up Your At-Home Workout

Whether you’re sticking to a budget, don’t have the space, or can’t invest in professional exercise equipment, that doesn’t mean you have to skip working out. There are a number of ways you can still get your fitness fix from the comfort of your own home without fancy equipment or a personal gym. Get–or stay–fit at home with these seven common household items:

1. Water Isn’t Just for Drinking

Who needs an expensive kettlebell when you’ve got a gallon of water? This eight-pound replacement is a great tool for bicep curls, squats, and kettlebell swings.

2. A Fresh Coat of Fitness

Those old paint cans don’t have to gather dust in your garage. Use their durable handles for bent-over rows that strengthen your shoulders and back.

3. Strap into a Workout Routine

Even when school’s out, backpacks are still in. Pack yours with heavy items, like cans or books, and wear it normally while doing lunges, or hold it in your hands while doing a squat and press.

4. Score a Fitness GOOOOOAL

Level-up your ab workouts with a soccer ball. Simple sit-ups are elevated when you use the ball to incorporate an overhead press.

5. Deal Your Reps

Make working out less of a chore and more of a game with a simple deck of cards. Assign each suit a type of exercise (all spades are squats, all hearts are pushups, etc.) and then draw a numbered card to see how many reps of each to do.

6. A Nice Bowl of Curls

It’s always soup season when you need a dumbbell alternative. Remove the slippery labels and use these easy-to-grip cans for bicep curls, triceps extensions, and shoulder presses. (You may want to note each can’s contents with a permanent marker, in case you get hungry later.)

7. Sweep in a Six Pack

Give your dust bunnies a break and use your broom for core exercises instead. Get into a plank formation and then use one hand to sweep the broom underneath you and across your body, then alternate sides.

Did you suffer an orthopedic injury while breaking a sweat? Orlin & Cohen offices across Long Island are open for immediate, personalized care. Balancing the need to help relieve your orthopedic pain with the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community, we are taking every precaution to create the safest environment possible. Immediate in-person, as well as telehealth, appointments are available seven days a week: Request an appointment now or call 516-536-2800 or 631-706-2800.