Fitness at Home: The Most Powerful Workouts for Busy Moms [VIDEOS]
Being a mom certainly takes its toll. You need to care for other lives and you never seem to have the time to care for yourself or your own well-being.
But at times moms need to be reminded that putting themselves first—their bodies, their time and their wellness–is the best thing they can do for their loved ones.
Free Workouts Online
Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to get fit for free, in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule.
There are plenty of free workouts available online, and many fitness personalities offer parts of their own content free of charge. Find out what works for you and your schedule so you can meet your personal goals.
The following are suggested workouts available on Youtube for busy moms. They each require almost no equipment and can be done in 30 minutes or fewer. They even target the parts of your body that can be slightly more challenging!
1. HIIT Workouts
An acronym for “High-Intensity Interval Training,” these are intense exercises done in short, powerful bursts. They’re really great for when you only have 15 minutes of your day to devote to exercise.
If your goal is extreme weight loss, working your core and gaining strength but you’re on a limited time schedule, HIIT is for you. You’ll work up a good sweat in the shortest amount of time possible and see results.
Follow the online videos of Zuzana Light (video above), known for her 15-minute routines, trainer Sara Kusch or dynamic Grokker team Pace and Go. Jenny is an Olympic athlete who can train you from the comfort of your own home.
2. Easy to Advanced Yoga
Yoga is great for learning to stretch all the achy parts of your body. If your workout routine is in the morning, it can help set the tone for your entire day to be more energized and productive.
If your goal is learning relaxing breathing routines, building strength and balance or getting your body back after a C-section, yoga is great. It helps soothe your spirit, calm your mind and improve your range of motion.
Kathryn Budig (video below) wrote the Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga and helps you blast your core in just 20 minutes a day. Her strengthening poses and relaxing music feel like a live class. Or go with the gentle coaching of Boho Beautiful on Youtube (video above), she always shoots in beautiful, serene locations.
3. Kettlebell Swings
If your goal is to be healthy and strong, get solid core training and lose weight, try kettlebells! You’re already used to carrying the weight of your children around, so no worries. This is a great, fun way to workout and target every single part of your body.
They may look intimidating at first, but these heavy iron bells are one of the best fitness tools out there. They can easily replace a set of dumbbells or barbells in your routine. Use one large or two smaller ones and learn how to do the moves properly.
Lauren Brooks has produced many fitness videos, even targeting pregnant women and post-natal fitness. BodyFit by Amy has free routines you can get done within just ten minutes (see video above).
4. Dance Workouts
Dance is a natural, fun way to get fit. Whether you were dancing long before the kids came along or are learning your first basic rhythms, you can get in the fitness groove right away.
Ballet Beautiful founder Mary Helen Bowers trained Natalie Portman for the movie Black Swan and offers routines to follow online (see video above). If you prefer more upbeat Hip-Hop Routines, try Beyonce’s dance moves, taught by choreographer Frank Gatson, Jr. There’s an initial instructional portion, and you can even get the whole family in on your fitness hour! (see video below)
5. Pilates Workouts
Traditional Pilates was started by Joseph Pilates just after the First World War to help veterans regain strength and ease the pain of injury. It’s still a great form of low-impact exercise that uses no other equipment but a mat and works with your body weight for the burn.
POPpilates, a modern version which fuses bouncy pop music with the routines, was founded by Cassey Ho. A social entrepreneur with millions of Youtube subscribers, she aims to motivate and inspire on a global scale.
If you want a classic Pilates workout, this one only takes half an hour of your time. No music means you can add your own or just enjoy some quiet time without the kids around.
6. Martial Arts
Another fun and easy way to get fit without thinking about the pain of cardio is to do martial arts-based exercises at home.
The classic Tae Bo from Billy Blanks is still a winner after all these years of throwing punches. Billy keeps us motivated as if we were right there with him. After all, all moms need that superhero power to defend her family at all times!
Prioritize Your Own Wellness Needs
If you think you can’t balance kid schedules and your exercise routine, don’t be afraid to get help.
Hiring a part-time nanny or a babysitter might be the solution to getting in some time for your wellness and fitness goals. Even having someone for just an hour or two a day can help free you to find quiet time and focus on your workouts.
Now you have no excuses. Being strong, fit and healthy is a gift you can give yourself and your family. And it can start today.
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