Exercises you can do from your bed!

Unfortunately, many times when our days begin to get crammed, exercise is the first thing we remove from our to-do list. Here is a list of core building exercises that you can do without getting out of bed. Yes, you read that correctly! These exercises are designed to be done from the comfort of your bed.

1. Forearm plank: start with your forearms and knees on your bed, shoulder-width apart. Elbows should be stacked underneath the shoulders, your forearms straight in front of you on the bed. Lift your knees off the bed and push your feet back to bring your body to full extension, so your body creates one long line. Keep your core tight and your hips lifted, and keep your neck in line with your spine. Hold for 30 seconds
2. Sit Up: lie flat on the bed, stretch your legs straight and your arms straight above your head. Very slowly, lift yourself up to a sitting position, reaching your arms down as if to touch your toes. Very slowly, as you count to five, lower yourself back down on the bed and into a flat position.
3. Russian Twist: start seated on your bed with your hands holding a pillow in front of your chest, knees bent at a 45-degree angle, and heels on the mattress with your toes pointing up. Twist your torso to the right so that your right hand touches the mattress beside you. Return to center then repeat, twisting to the left. That’s 1 rep.
4. Hip Bridge: with your knees bent and feet planted on the bed, keep your arms at your side, squeeze your glutes together, lift your hips and hold for 1 minute.
   
5. Scissor Kicks: Lie on your back, arms either under your lower back or to the sides. Lift your legs to a 45-degree angle. Drop the left leg while raising the right, then raising the left and dropping the right. That’s one rep. Complete multiple reps without returning your legs to the ground. (P.S. the lower your legs are to the bed, the harder the workout because your abs are working more.)

Bonus: Stretching is so important and a great way to start or end your day. Touch your toes, stretch out your arms above your head, just give some love to any muscles that might be feeling overworked.