Yahoo Lifestyle Home Workouts
You're more likely to overindulge in winter...but anyone who's felt the lure of a comfy couch, cab sav and curry already knows that, right? Thing is, it's not just bad habits that lead to winter weight pain - it's our biology. Researchers at the University of Colorado found that our production of the chemical ATLPL, which promotes fat storage, almost doubles during winter. It's not all bad news, though. They also discovered that exercise increases the muscle enzyme that actually counters the effects of this fat-storing chemical. Therefore, to make things a little easier, we've rounded up the latest and greatest ways to stay fit without leaving your living room.
Michelle Bridges Project 3 Pack
If too much choice leaves you paralysed, get back-to-basics training with good, old-fashioned exercise DVDs. Michelle Bridges's new collection of three separate workouts ($39.95) mixes up strength and cardio with her signature no-nonsense style.
Fitfusion
You've got Spotify, now meet the subscription service that will change the way you exercise. FitFusion (fitfusion.com) is like a workout DVD library on your computer - think Jillian Michaels, tae bo, Bollywood dance. You can stream the workout videos as many times as you like to your computer or use Apple TV to beam it to your plasma screen, for $5.99 a month.
FitBit Flex
Whether you enjoy being super organised or just need some accountability, the Fitbit Flex wristband ($129.95) promises results. During the day, it keeps count of how many steps you've taken and how many kilojoules you've burned, and lights up to tell you how you're measuring up to your daily goal (or sends you texts if you need some extra cheerleading). At night, it tracks your sleep quality, and then buzzes you awake in the morning. It also integrates with the popular kilojoule-counting app MyFitnessPal.
The complete guide to yoga
Called "the coolest yoga instructor in the world", New York teacher Tara Stiles has created an online video course ($99) that functions as the ultimate guide to yoga. From its pose library to 10-minute yoga sessions, there are more than 100 videos (including two full-length classes and mini courses on related subjects like meditation) that you can work through at your own pace - although we think it would make the perfect winter project.
xBox fitness
The new Xbox Fitness program on the Xbox One (free with gold membership, $79.95 per year) will put your silhouette next to celebrity trainers like Tracy Anderson, while its sensors evaluate your pace, form and heart rate, so you can keep track of your progress.
The No-Equipment Workout
We asked personal trainer Pip Reed (pipreed.com.au) to create a no-space, no equipment required workout. "The best at-home workout combines cardio and resistance interval training to get the heart rate pumping," she says. For this training session, you'll just need a chair and the timer on your phone. "The idea is to work out at your maximum rate for 30 seconds, followed by a 30 to 60 second rest, for a total of 20 to 30 minutes. This sort of training uses your fat stores for energy. Ideally, you want to increase it to 60-second workouts, followed by 30 seconds of rest." Go for it!
30 to 60 seconds of lunge jumps
Starting with your legs in a lunge position (one back, one forward), bend both legs until your back knee touches the floor, then jump up, switch legs in the air and come back down into lunge position. Repeat for 30 to 60 seconds. 30 to 60 second break.
30 to 60 seconds of tricep dips
Sit on a chair with the heels of your hands on the front edge of the seat, facing forward. Slide your bottom off the chair so your weight is transferred to your arms. Keeping legs bent at a 90 degree angle, lower yourself towards the ground, stopping when your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Return to the start position by straightening your arms, then repeat. 30 to 60 second break.
30 to 60 seconds of jump squats
Start with your feet hip-width apart, squat down as if sitting in a chair so you're at a 90-degree angle with the floor. Push up through your heels and glutes, jump into the air and, landing gently on your toes, lower back into squat position and reach for the floor with your hands. Repeat. 30 to 60 second break.
30 to 60 seconds of abdominal V-ups
Lie flat on the floor on your back with legs straight out in front of you and arms above your head. Bend your knees and bring them towards your chest and, at the same time, bring your hands over your head and crunch up so your chest and knees meet. Reverse the move, lie on the floor and repeat. 30 to 60 second break.
30 to 60 seconds of push-ups
With your hands placed on the floor slightly wider than shoulder width, while resting on either your knees or, for more of a challenge, on your toes, lower your chest to the floor and then push back up to starting position - keeping your neck, back and hips in a straight line. Repeat. 30 to 60 second break.
