It’s been four weeks since I’ve become a resident on CoRo and I’ve been loving it! Mac (and the packaging center!) is near by, the walk to classes is short, dorm-life presents a close-knit community (like Newton, but without the bus ride), and the showers have fantastic water pressure. However, there is one teeny, tiny flaw: the Plex seems miles away.
I have to confess, as a freshman living on Newton, I would take trips to main campus at 10:00 p.m. just to workout at the Plex. I told my friends that the Hut (the gym on Newton) was too small and that it just didn’t have the same atmosphere the Plex offered. By the end of the year, I was so obsessed with the Plex that I didn’t even realize how time consuming my workouts had become, especially with the transportation time.
Now as a sophomore living on CoRo, things are different. I can proudly say that I’ve only gone down there for a couple of yoga classes and to fulfill my periodic elliptical cravings (strange, I know). Running down to the Reservoir from CoRo, and back up Beacon Street has been my go-to daily workout! But now that fall is here and Boston’s cold weather season is slowly approaching, I need a back-up plan for the days I won’t have time to walk down to the Plex, but will still need a good workout! Here’s a plan I have developed to stay fit for the cold weather without even leaving my room!
- Put on you workout gear! Personally, I love putting on DriFit tees and Lululemon shorts for my workouts. Looking cute while you work out is a great way to keep you motivated and be confident! Working out in your room doesn’t change this fact!
- Stretch. Make sure you warm up your muscles before getting into your workout! Stretching reduces the risk of injury and is known to improve flexibility. I like to stretch out my leg muscles on my yoga mat!
- Jog in place for 2 minutes. This may sound silly, but it’s a great way to warm up your muscles even more. With the comfort of being in your room, no one is there to judge you! Are you sweating yet?
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Legs.
- One-Legged Wall Sits: Lean against the wall and slowly slide down the wall until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle and your thighs are parallel to the ground. Do short pulses up and down with one leg extended in front of you for 1 minute. Take a 10 second break and repeat.
- Sumo Squats: Set your feet at about twice your shoulder width and your toes turned out slightly. Tighten your abs and lower your body as far as you can by pushing your hips back and bending your knees. Then slowly push yourself back to starting position. Do 2 sets of 30 reps.
- Inner Thigh Leg Lifts: Lie down on your side. Extend your bottom leg and cross your top leg over it. Rest your knee on the floor and prop your head up with you hand. Lift your bottom leg as you exhale and inhale as you lower it back down. Do 2 sets of 30 reps on each leg.
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Arms.
1. Weights: This video is all you need for toned arms! Casey Ho is the founder of Blogilates and is famous from her Youtube videos! This video is 20 minutes long, so if it’s a little too long for you, pick and choose your favorite arm exercises!
2. No weights: No weights? No problem! Casey has you covered. Use this video to get your arms on fire.
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Abs. (For 1 Minute, 2 reps)
- Elbow plank: Get face down on the floor and push off the floor by rising up off your knees onto your toes and resting on your elbows. Keep your back flat and contract your abs. Hold the position for 1 minute, take a ten second break, and hold another plank.
- Toe Touches (with medicine ball or small weights, if accessible): Lie on your back and lift your legs until they’re perpendicular to the floor. If you have a medicine ball or small weights, extend your arms upwards. Without moving your legs, lift your chest and shoulder off the floor and try to touch your feet with your hands. Do 2 sets of 20 reps.
- V-Sit hold: Lie flat on the ground with your legs straight, arms extended overhead, and abs engaged. As you inhale, draw you belly button toward your spine and as you exhale, lift your upper body and legs simultaneously with your arms reaching forward. Hold the “V” position for 2 seconds. Do 2 sets of 10 reps.
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Butt.
- Bulgarian squats: Extend your left leg back and place your toes on top of your chair. Dip down into a lunge, keeping the right knee in line with your heel. Do 2 sets of 30 reps on each leg.
- Plank with Leg lift: Get into the elbow plank position. Brace your core and lift one foot off the floor. Hold this position for 1 minute. Do 2 sets of the 1 minute plank on each leg.
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Stretch (again!).
Jump in the shower! At the end of this workout, you’ll be sweating. You’ll have your towel and clothes with you at your convenience immediately after working out. Nothing feels better than a refreshingly cold shower after a focused workout.
For more workout ideas, visit Pinterest, Tumblr, or Youtube! There are so many ideas out there. If you ever need to switch things up a little, use social media for inspiration!
Photo Sources:
http://www.bodyrock.tv/2010/11/20/one-leg-wall-sit/
http://www.fitsugar.com/Plank-Elbows-1035840
http://bellaonthebeach.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/30-day-squat-challenge-wrap-up/
http://bellaonthebeach.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/30-day-squat-challenge-wrap-up/
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/toe-touch
http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/815792/6-simple-indoor-exercises-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/stabilization-a