Get active at home

There will always be days where getting outdoors seems like a chore.

But that doesn’t have to mean you can’t be active!

These days, there are more ways than ever to be active at home. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination…

Use what you have

Being active at home doesn’t have to mean big investments in fancy equipment. Just have a look around you and see what you have to hand. If you have stairs, going up and down a few times can help get your heart rate up. Or you can use the bottom step for some low-impact stepping exercises.

A can of baked beans is ideal as a small weight for doing some arm curls while watching telly, or your coffee table may give you a handy circuit to navigate.

Be creative and you’ll be surprised what you can use.

Get online

There has been an explosion of online exercise videos over the last few years, with something for every fitness level and health condition. We have a great curated selection here on Active My Way, but have a nosey on YouTube or the NHS Fitness Studio to find videos which work for you.

Be cautious if you’re new to exercise though because it can be easy to overdo it; make sure you listen to your body and stop when you need to.

Make it fun

Video games are often thought of as a pretty inactive hobby. But did you know there’s a whole range of games that get you up and active? From dancing to bowling, there are more options than ever for you to try out new activities from the comfort of your home. They’re really user friendly and you do actually get a good workout!

Have a look at the Nintendo Wii for games like Wii Sports and JustDance to get you started, but there’s loads of options available.

Every minute matters

We all have days where even a small amount of exercise seems impossible. That’s ok. But even on those days, the biggest favour you can do for yourself is try to sit a little less throughout the day.

Sitting for long periods of time can have a negative impact on your health, so getting up, even for a minute, can really help.

Set a timer to remind you to stand every hour, and move around of you can to help your circulation.

Just remember, do whatever you can, even if it doesn’t feel like much. When it comes to being active, every minute matters.