There's NO EXCUSE to Not Workout With These 6 Easy At Home Workouts

By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)   

Sometimes the hardest part about working out is getting to the gym. It takes the extra time, extra transport, and just a little bit of extra planning to make it happen every day.

And sometimes it’s just enough extra that we are inclined to eliminate it altogether and say “oh well, I’ll go tomorrow.” Avoid this step - and the excuses - by working out at home!

Here's 8 workouts that target different parts of your body and include both cardio and strengthening routines for you to try at home:  

8 Minute Abs – This workout is sure to leave your abs burning both during and after the 8 minutes. It’s a picture workout complete with pictures of how to do the moves, as well as explanations, and it only takes 8 minutes! It’s great to pair with a cardio option (like running or circuit training) to give your core an extra boost and to chisel out that bikini body!

30 Minute Bodyweight Workout – You know all those pins you see on Pinterest, which are just a list of exercises to do? And you think, “well that looks easy, I should do that!” And you totally should! This workout is a great place to start. It’s a bodyweight workout, so no equipment required - except for a yoga mat if you have one – other than being equipped to have your butt kicked, because this one is good! Don’t underestimate the ability of bodyweight exercises to whip you into shape. Done properly and with enough reps and sets, and they’ll have you sore every time. This workout offers explanations for each exercise as well to help you out as you work through it.

Instead of Running – Not a fan of long runs as your means of exercise? Don’t worry. This workout combines running, as well as stairs and bodyweight exercises to give you a great, overall, sweaty workout without having to run too far. The only thing you need nearby is a set of stairs. I like to do this one at a set of stairs that are a little ways away from my house, so that I run to the stairs, do the stairs workout and bodyweight exercises and then run back. At the end, you’ll have a complete workout and you’ll feel great. 

7 Minute Barre Squat Burner – This video may only be 7 minutes, but trust me, you will burn! Barre is a great way to work your muscles effectively and efficiently, without taking up loads of times. It involves small movements and bodyweight or low weight dumbbells, but the repetitive motion in the same position is certainly challenging – and burns! If you haven’t given Barre a try, start with this one and then look online for some other free barre classes. If you are going to do it regularly, it may also be a good idea to invest in a set of small hand weights (2-3 lbs each).

Bodacious Booty Yoga Class – You know you want that booty to look good in that bikini. And this yoga class will help you do just that. It’s a 30 minute video where you follow along with the yoga teacher and do the yoga class right in your house! This one targets the glutes, but there are lots of other ones available on the site (doyogawithme.com), that target the whole body, and cater to different levels of yoga and different yoga styles. If you’re new to yoga, go have a look and start with some of the beginner options. It’s a great way to relax and calm your mind while doing some strengthening exercises at the same time.

Dumbbell Circuit Workout – All you need for this workout is a pair of dumbbells and a yoga mat. Doing strength training is a great way to burn extra calories en route to your bikini body because strength training yields the “after burn” effect: where your body keeps burning calories even after you have stopped working out. The trick though is to work your muscles hard so that it has to keep burning the calories after to supply your muscles with energy from all the fuel you depleted from them. If you have never done strength training, start with this circuit workout and see how you like it!