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How to work out like an Olympian at home

July 26, 2012 | Filed under: Chicago, IL,Lifestyle | Posted by: Macchiato

As the bells start ringing at exactly 8.12 am on July 27, all eyes will turn to London. A massive demonstration of grandeur and style, combined with great pride and lofty expectations, will kick start the 2012 Summer Olympics.

We are a little far from the action, that’s true, yet there are plenty of ways to get involved in this tremendous spectacle of strength and dedication. Think of throwing an Olympian party at your apartment and make your own decorations using different colored balloons for each Ring (blue, black, red, yellow and green); bake some national flag cookies for some sweet support of our great athletes; or get inspired by the games’ intensity and start working on your own body to shape up and build stamina.

If you can’t ever seem to find the time for some healthy exercise at the gym maybe it’s time you brought the gym to your home. You won’t need any large equipment for your workout so there won’t be any space issue, just a bit of planning and creativity will do.

Tip #1. Start with a little stretching to warm up the body. This first step is very important as your muscles will become more flexible and you’ll be able to prevent any muscle injury.

Tip #2. Introduce some cardio in your workout program; it really helps with nutrient partitioning and driving nutrients toward the muscle cells rather than the fat cells. Some good options for at-home exercise include running up and down a set of stairs, a short jump rope exercise, or energetic dancing. I can tell you mornings get a whole new positive vibe if you let yourself bounce freely on invigorating music rhythms.

Tip #3. Squats are a great exercise. They work multiple muscle groups at the same time, are quick to complete and help burn fat more effectively. And you surely remember how it’s done from the school gym class. Just give it a try!

Tip #4. Push-ups are a great way to strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles. And the “girl-version” or knee push-ups routine is quite doable, even for beginners.

Tip #5. Abdominal crunches are still one of the most effective ways to tone muscles and trim your waistline. Check out this video for an 8-min abs workout that will get you a strong and tight core without too much effort:

These are all great ideas for at-home workouts but remember: no exercise is magical and has to be complemented by a balanced diet for optimum results.