Most of us wouldn’t mind getting a great workout in, but we’re either too busy to get to the gym or our budget simply won’t allow for it. Not a problem! You can easily get a great workout in with everyday items from around your home. Think we’re kidding?  Just check out some of the great workout ideas below using everything from a chair to canned goods!

Before beginning a workout regimen, be sure to talk to your doctor to make sure that it’s ok. Also, remember to warm up before you workout and cool down after.

Canned Goods

You can use canned goods as hand weights. Start out with small canned goods and adjust the weight by increasing the size of the canned good to fit your routine.

An Exercise to Try: With a canned good in each hand and your hands at your sides, raise your arms straight out and up above your head until the canned goods touch one another. Hold for a second and then lower your arms slowly back to the starting position. Repeat 12-15 times.

Gallon Jugs

Half and gallon sized milk or water jugs are also another great alternative weight. You can easily fill the jugs with water or sand. You can increase the weight when needed by adding more water or sand.

An Exercise to Try: Stand with one jug in each hand. Bend your knees slightly and then lean the upper part of your body forward. Allow your arms to hang at your side. Bring your elbows back and up towards the ceiling. Hold and then lower your arms back down to your side. Repeat 12-15 times.

Flour or Sugar

Place a 5- 10 pound bag of flour or sugar into a plastic grocery bag with handles. If you need more weight add another 5- 10 pound bag of flour or sugar. Just be careful not to add too much weight to the bag or you’ll wind up with a broken grocery bag and probably a big mess! If you love the idea of using grocery bags as a workout, but the flour or sugar is too much weight, you can add bags of dried beans or anything that works for you to the grocery bags.

An Exercise to Try: Begin in a standing position with a filled grocery bag in each hand and your arms straight down at your side. Slowly bring your arms forward, palms facing out, and then raise your arms up until the grocery bags touch your shoulders. Now, slowly lower your arms down with your palms still facing outward and then bring your arms back down at your side. Repeat 12-15 times.

Phone Books

Use phone books in your workout routine to strengthen calf muscles. Other books will work just as well. Just be sure they are books that you don’t intend to keep forever.

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