Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight can tell you that exercising the way most people talk about it sounds difficult and cumbersome. However, not all exercise has to be that way: instead of pushing yourself to the edges of your limits, you can work within your comfort zone and still lose weight, if you do it right. If you’re looking to slim down but can’t find it in you to go hard at the gym, here are 8 easy exercises that are sure to help you lose weight – with half the effort!
1.Walking
The king of low-effort workouts, walking earned that title for a good reason: not only is it easy to slot into your schedule, but you also don’t need to purchase extra equipment to start. Instead, beginners should aim for 30 minutes of walking 3-4 days a week, with the amount of time spent walking increasing incrementally as you see fit. If you can’t find the time to take a proper long walk, try taking the stairs at work or pacing around space during phone calls – either of these will get the steps in on your smartwatch.
2.Jogging or Running
If you’ve got a little more effort in you than walking requires, you can always up the ante slightly and go jogging or running instead. Similar to walking, these activities are quite simple both in terms of time management and equipment, needing only suitable space for your jogging/running route. Beginners are recommended to start at 20-30 minute jogs or runs 3-4 times a week, although this amount can definitely be increased or adjusted according to your own preferences.
3.Cycling
Although cycling is a little more complicated than walking, jogging, or running, and requires a bicycle to do in the first place, it’s a worthwhile activity that can also serve as transport with a wider travel range than a pair of feet. The pace of your bicycle ride is entirely up to you: you can choose to ride your bike fast and determined, or you can take a leisurely mode on the bike. If you’re wondering where to slot it in your schedule, consider going to your local grocer by bike instead of driving or walking.
4.Gardening
Although it may not appear to be an activity for athletes, the amount of effort one must put in to achieve gardening warrants a nod on this list. Gardening is actually a very physical activity, as it involves digging, weeding, raking, and mowing are all part of the day-in-the-life of a gardener. Plus, gardening is well-known to be a very calming activity, and you’re more likely to lose fat when you’re less stressed, meaning gardening can assist you better in your journey to weight loss.
5.Dancing
Dance like nobody’s watching isn’t just a popular quote made for throw pillows and kitchen signs – it’s also great advice for anyone trying to lose weight. Dancing is actually a very physically demanding activity, although you might not notice when you’re hypnotised by the beat. If you’re the type to easily get lost in the music, put on some upbeat music and shake it out for 15-30 minutes – the choreography isn’t necessary, although there’s no harm practising moves you might’ve already memorised.
6.Online Workouts
While online workouts might involve a little more investment in terms of equipment and time than the other options listed here, it takes out the time and anxiety of going to the gym and replaces it with the comfort of your home. In addition, many workout guides can be found all across the Internet on sites like YouTube by accredited personal trainers. So, once you’ve got yourself a good yoga mat, feel free to open up your best laptop and let a qualified professional guide you to a better you.
7.Chair Workouts
The chair workout is especially suited for those who might experience discomfort standing for long times, but still aim to lose weight. This workout consists of several different exercises formulated for ease of accessibility and takes about 15 minutes out of your day a few times a week. The more comfortable you get, the more frequently you can take these workouts on, and the best part is you don’t need much fancy equipment – as long as you have a sturdy chair, you’re good to go.
8.Shadowboxing
Cool as the name may be, shadowboxing is actually an incredibly easy and accessible workout, requiring no special equipment and not taking up too much out of your busy schedule to do. Shadowboxing is, essentially, the practice of boxing without a partner – it’s more about practising the moves and actions of boxing to get the exercise in without the risk of harming oneself and removing the need for a partner. It’s also an easy way to release built-up stress.
These 8 workouts prove that weight loss can be done even with no equipment and little commitment. Of course, these exercises aren’t the only ones that can be done for low-effort weight loss – these are just a few examples, with many other techniques that are out there for you to discover. Ultimately, what matters is figuring out which of these workouts is best for you and your needs.
