Finding time to exercise can be challenging, especially when juggling work, family and your household responsibilities. However, housework offers a unique opportunity to stay active and incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Getting fit as you clean? Sounds like the perfect combo.
We’ve partnered with Gtech’s System Platinum Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum Bundle to show you some effective ways to exercise whilst doing housework.
Exercise and Housework Tips
1. Turn Cleaning into a Cardio Workout
Elevate your heart rate by increasing the intensity of your cleaning tasks. Set a timer and clean as quickly as possible, for example, or simply exaggerate your motions while dusting or wiping surfaces.
Play upbeat music to keep your energy levels high, get you dancing around and to distract yourself from the task at hand.
2. Incorporate Strength Training
Use household items to strengthen your muscles. Do bicep curls or squats while holding a full laundry basket or use a sturdy chair to perform tricep dips during breaks. You could also hold wall sits while waiting for your pans to soak.
3. Vacuum with Purpose
Vacuuming can be more than just a chore—it can be a full-body workout. You can turn vacuuming into a lunge session. Take large steps and lower into a lunge with each forward movement. Alternate between your left and right hand to work different muscle groups and tighten your abdominal muscles to improve stability and posture whilst running your Gtech System Platinum around. It’s cordless, so you are not restricted about where you can take it in the home.
4. Make the Most of Stairs
If your home has stairs, use them to your advantage. Carry items upstairs one at a time to increase steps and perform calf raises on the edge of a step for added difficulty. Use the bottom step to do lunges, engaging your legs and glutes whilst tidying up.
5. Stretch in the Kitchen
Use time in the kitchen to improve flexibility. Do push-ups against the kitchen worktops while you wipe them down. Perform side leg lifts to strengthen hips and thighs as you go and even throw in some neck and shoulder rolls.
6. Optimise Your Laundry Time
The laundry is a thankless task, but you can use the time wisely to get into shape. Do squats when picking up clothes from the family’s washing baskets. Stretch side to side while folding clothes to work your obliques with side bands. You can also lift folded laundry in baskets overhead to work your arms and shoulders during this dull job.
7. Practise Mindful Movement
Exercise is not all about high energy movement though. Focus on posture and muscle engagement, keeping your abdominal muscles engaged during lifting tasks. Make sure you bend at the knees, not the waist, to protect your back and distribute your weight evenly when carrying and climbing ladders to prevent strain.
By integrating these strategies into your housework routine, you can stay active and improve your fitness without setting aside extra time for exercise. Not only does this approach make chores more enjoyable, but it also contributes to a healthier lifestyle. The Gtech System Platinum allows you the freedom to move around your home without the restriction of cables.
