Weekly Fitness Challenge: As much as we hate to admit it, juggling work and family life often get in the way of us being more active. The good news is, these easy-to-follow exercises will slide seamlessly into your day.
Your hands are free, so walls squats are ideal for multi-tasking. Tear off a set while brushing your teeth at home, using your smartphone at the bus shelter, solving a Rubik’s Cube in the lunchroom at work…you get the idea. Aim to complete one set each day this week.
How you’ll benefit:
This intense leg-strengthener works many of the muscles in your lower body. Improve your hockey and golf game (or any sport for that matter), lift heavier objects without killing your back, and increase your stamina in bed (and we don’t mean sleeping).
The easy 3-step method:
- Stand straight with your back up against the wall.
- Slowly lower your body until your knees are at 90 degrees.
- Your goal should be to hold for 15 seconds. The longer you hold, the more intense the wall squat becomes.
Kick it up a notch:
While squatting, hold an object with both hands right in front of you with your palms facing each other. Anything will do: A dumbbell, a phone book (a what?), a small dog or child…
Do you know any other nifty variations on the wall squat? Please share them in the comment below!
Love the little tips. It is tough to find time for dedicated workouts. However I can always find time to bust out a few squats, planks and will now try to add a wall squat from time to time.
Keep these up.
Right on, Aaron. Glad to hear it! The fitness challenges are here to stay as long as we keep getting positive feedback from you guys.
Sam – Don’t Change Much
While you are in the squat position try raising up on your toes for a count of 5. In order to ‘kick it up a notch’ repeat the ‘toe raises’ 2 to 3 times while still in the squat position then gradually increase the length of time you are actually on your toes. Feel the burn. 🙂
Love this one. At home, I put an exercise ball behind my back and roll up and down the wall. Reduces friction from sliding against the wall. Just remember to keep your back straight, no hunching or arching!
Rob, thanks for the feedback and for the tip!
Cheers,
Sam -Don’t Change Much
@Rob, thanks for the feedback and for the tip!
Cheers,
Sam -Don’t Change Much
Right on, Aaron. Glad to hear it! The fitness challenges are here to stay as long as we keep getting positive feedback from you guys.
Sam – Don’t Change Much