7 Household Items That Double As Fitness Equipment

Did you know that you’re a gym-owner?  It’s true! Take a look around your house… THIS is your gym. Keep reading to learn how 7 common household items can double as fitness equipment.

 

1. Laundry Detergent Bottle (or box) = Dumbbell or Kettlebell

Moves You Can Do: Single Arm Bicep Curls, Bent Over Single Arm Row, Tricep Kickbacks

Loop a towel for more exercises: Double Arm Bicep Curls, Kettlebell High Pull, Kettlebell Swings

2. Dish Towel = Glider

Moves You Can Do: Reverse Glider Lunge, Reverse Single Leg Deadlift, Lateral Single Leg Squat, Single Leg Plank Knee Tuck 

Grab a second towel for Mountain Climbers (feet on towels), Double Leg Plank Knee Tucks, Plank Rollouts (hands-on towels), Plank Wax On/Wax Off (hands-on towels)

 

3. Belt = Yoga Strap

Moves You Can Do (Strength): Isometric Strap Pull Apart, Crunches with Isometric Strap Pull Apart, Oblique Crunches with Isometric Strap Pull Apart, Strap Toe Touch Crunches with Isometric Pull Apart, Pilates Rollup With Isometric Strap Pull Apart

Moves You Can Do (Mobility): Front Raise to Overhead Reach, Lateral Bends with Belt (arms overhead, lean-to side), Cow Face Arms with Belt, Thoracic Extension with Belt (hold belt behind the low back, straighten arms back, open chest), Supine Hamstring Stretch, Supine IT Band Stretch, Supine Adductor Stretch

 

4. Stairs = Low Box/Step

 

 

Moves You Can Do: Step Ups, Lateral Step Ups, Transverse Step Up, Reverse Lunge from Box, Single-Leg Squat From Box, Step Up to Knee Drive then Step Down to Reverse Lunge, Plank Walk Ups (Hands walk on and off the stair)

Take It Up A Notch: Hold your laundry detergent bottle in the opposite hand of the working leg to add load!

 

5. Kitchen Counter = High Box/Balance Assist

 

 

Moves You Can Do Using Counter For Elevation: Elevated Pushups, Elevated Plank Shoulder Taps, Elevated Mountain Climbers, Elevated Tricep Pushups, Reverse Elbow Plank

Moves You Can Do Using Counter As A Balance Assist: Calf Raises, Single Leg Deadlift, Tree Pose, Reverse Lunge, Standing Oblique Crunch

6. Chair = Mid-Box/Balance Assist

Moves You Can Do: Tricep Dips, Tricep Pushups, Elevated Mountain Climbers, Box Squats, Single Leg Squat to Box

Tip: You can also use a chair for all of the balance-assist exercises in the Kitchen Counter section!

 

7. Backpack/Gym Bag = Sandbag

Moves You Can Do: Bear Hug Squat, Bilateral Bent Over Row, Single Arm Bent Over Row, High Pull, Front Raise, Clean to Front Squat, Kettlebell Swings, Lateral Stepping Lunge, Halo Overhead Press, Kettlebell Halo with Hip Drive

Intensity Tip: Increase intensity by putting more items in the bag. Conversely, decrease the intensity by removing items from your bag.