5 WORKOUT VIDEOS TO HELP YOU STAY FIT AT HOME

Of course you can get slim without hitting the gym. Just try these dream routines right in your living room.

After coming to terms with how much I was paying for a barely used gym membership I realised that exercise videos on YouTube are basically like being in both a fitness class and a one-on-one personal training session at the same time. Now, as a self-proclaimed video junkie, I’ve kicked, punched and crunched all over my living room in the name of fitness. So why should you be the one to miss out! Here are five workout videos that I have tried and find quite effective.

1. Quick Fix Yoga by Shilpa Shetty – This yoga video is especially for those who wish to lose their belly fat. The asanas depicted in this yoga session demonstrated by Shilpa Shetty are explained simply and can be practised easily by anyone at home. Yoga asanas in this video include Makrasana (the crocodile pose), Ardha Salabhasana (the half-locust pose), Bhujangansana (the cobra pose), and Dhanurasana (the bow pose) all of which help reduce excess weight while relaxing our body and mind. The ancient practice types of yoga asanas provide a wide range of mind and body benefits like giving strength and flexibility, stress relief and they even cure many diseases. I would recommend you follow this thrice a week and compliment it with the holistic Tibetan rites.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKZit6VB44

2. The 5 Tibetan Rites – Tibetan rites represent a system of exercise that affects the body, emotions and mind. The Tibetans claim that these exercises activate the seven chakras that in turn stimulate all the glands of the endocrine system, which is responsible for the body’s overall functioning and ageing process. Each exercise concentrates on a certain area of concern, and that makes it more intense. Actor, singer and yoga practitioner Raageshwari slowly and patiently breaks each step which makes it so easy to watch and follow. There is something for everyone in this video, and not to mention, for beginners too.

The rites are comprised of five different movements (with a sixth added for good measure), with each movement performed up to 21 times (Tibetans believe 21 is a perfect, mystical number). It is best to start with 3 repetitions of each exercise and gradually increase the repetitions. The entire routine can be completed in less than 10 minutes and the beauty of these rites is that it can be done at your own pace and as much as you can do without the need to push yourself. When practised daily, the five rites are said to enhance mental clarity and memory, balance hormones and support emotional well-being. Raageshwari herself had started following these rites when she was suffering from bell’s palsy, and it has helped her towards an improved health ever since. The video is especially recommended because Raageshwari does not merely explain the exercises. She actually does it as an entire routine, allowing you to go along with her through the entire drill.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJElLrpBetc

3. Belly Dancing – Raks Sharki, also called belly dance, is a form of dance that many are familiar with. But few understand the effects it has on the human body. Unlike ballet, which can potentially alter and deform the skeleton, Raks Sharki is based on movements that come naturally to the female form. There is a wealth of health benefits awaiting those who practice this form of dance. It helps in burning good amount of calories and the level of fat loss increases gradually. Belly dancing can be a break from the regular gym experience, so it can be more motivating than simply heading to a pump class or working out on your own. This video is particularly helpful because it gives a slow, step by step instruction to achieve flatter abs, breaking every dance step in such a way that it becomes very easy for all of us to follow. The beauty of this video is that it finally integrates all the steps into a complete graceful dance routine.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzVN3_93wDw

4. No Pain, No Gain – Stress can lead to several medical complications and affect your health. We need to find ways to alleviate stress which will also facilitate weightloss and peace of mind. Stretching could be a good way to de-stress and relax tense muscles.  This video by fitness expert, Mike Andrew, tells us about ten basic stretching exercises for height gain. Skipping, vertical hanging, vertical bend, cobra pose, standing-vertical-stretch, leg kick, ankle weights and inversion table are the best stretching exercises to get assured results. The exercises in this video can be performed anywhere, anytime and takes no more than 5 minutes. The poses described in the video stretch your body muscles through different postures and help you grow taller. Apart from these exercises being relatively easy, it does not take too much to feel the effects.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ol75AqPsbU

5. Great Butt Workout – It’s common for women or men to desire a better toned posterior to be able to effectively flaunt a pair of skinny jeans or designer trousers. This video by Sadie Nardini, a renowned yoga instructor and the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga demonstrates a basic yoga routine to tone your butt. This 12-minutes workout does have significant results if incorporated into your daily routine. These exercises are fantastic as they work your entire lower body. Pick a few moves, or try them all to sculpt your butt, hamstrings, quads, thighs, and calves.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5VZxeu13lQ