Staying fit and healthy as a student isn’t an easy task. It’s probably your first time living on your own, possibly even in a new city. While this period is exciting, there are lots of new responsibilities and things to consider. Catching up with your classes and assignments, meeting new people, and finding your way around can be overwhelming. With all of this on their plate, students often neglect healthy habits. It seems there’s not enough time to check off all the items on your to-do list, eat balanced meals, and exercise on top of that! However, this is when a proper workout is the most important. Even a few simple exercises will improve both your physical and mental well-being. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll also have more energy to deal with your everyday tasks. Here are five excellent exercises you can do in your dorm room!
#1 Dips are an excellent exercise for the upper body
Focusing on strength exercises is important at all stages of life. Dips are a perfect choice if your goal is to improve the strength of your arms and chest muscles. It doesn’t require a lot of space, and all you need is a chair.
First, sit on the edge of your desk chair. Ensure you leave about four feet of open space and stretch your legs in front of you. Then, put your arms at 90 degrees angle and lower the upper part of your body towards the floor. Push yourself back and repeat as many times as you want!
#2 Squats are simple to do anywhere
When it comes to strength exercise, don’t neglect the lower body either! Squats will not only strengthen your hip muscles, calves, and other lower body muscles, but they’ll also help you burn some calories.
Position your legs about hip-width apart, to begin with. Then lower yourself – push your hips back, bend your knees, and press weight into your heels. Once you reach a 90-degrees angle, raise yourself back into the position you started in. Your knees shouldn’t extend further than your toes while you’re doing squats. This is one of the most effective exercises you can do in your dorm room – it will improve your balance and mobility as well as help you shape up!
#3 Push-ups are one of the exercises you can do in your dorm room
Push-ups are an excellent way to work your back, shoulders, arms, and core. You can do as many as you want – an average person does from fifty to a hundred push-ups a day. However, if you’re only starting to work out regularly, you can settle on twenty and move up from there.
Put your hands under your shoulders and lie on the floor face down. Use your toes to hold you up. Raise up to a full plank by using your arms and then return down to the floor. Don’t forget to keep your back straight!
Plank variant: It’s similar to a standard push-up, but instead on your hands, rest your weight on your forearms. In addition to strengthening your core, this is an excellent overall body exercise!
#4 Burpees are great cardio exercises for limited space
You might think a small space is not conducive to a cardio workout. Fortunately, this is far from the truth! In addition to strength, cardio exercises are a must if you want to be fit and healthy. A good cardio routine will not only help you lose weight, sleep better, and boost your energy. Studies also show that cardio exercise is good for your heart and immune system.
Burpees are an excellent way to achieve this in your dorm room! Stand up, raise your arms above your head, and jump. Then continue the motion to get into the push-up position. From here, you can opt to do a push-up or jump again. Whichever you choose, ensure it all goes in one fluid motion.
#5 Sit-ups are a simple yet effective exercise
Sit-ups are an all-around useful exercise. They’ll improve your core strength, balance, and flexibility. What’s more, they’re an excellent choice for students as they often spend a lot of time sitting at their desks, working on their laptops, or preparing for exams. Sit-ups engage your abdominal muscles, but they also help with back pain and improve your posture.
Lay on your back with your feet on the ground and knees bent. Position your hands by your ears or behind your head. Then, pull yourself up by using only your core. Repeat as many times as you want (or can!) – ideally three sets of 25 reps.
Create the perfect workout space in your dorm room
As you may see, although your dorm room doesn’t seem like an ideal place for your workout routine, there are many exercises you can do. While none of them requires a lot of equipment or going to the gym, you still need some space you can use. You need enough room to lie down, stretch, and avoid hitting furniture along the way.
Unfortunately, student rooms are often tiny and crowded. If that is the case with you, storage is the best solution. You can store the hobby equipment you rarely use or any unnecessary furniture pieces that block your workout area. That way, you’ll create a space where you can exercise every day!
What are the benefits of a regular workout?
Exercising regularly will not only improve your physical health but will also boost your mood, energy, and confidence. The combination of the right diet and exercise will improve your mind, memory, and thinking skills, too. Here are some advantages of a daily workout:
- it will help you manage your weight more effectively
- exercise will be good for your cholesterol and blood sugar
- it will also reduce the risk of many diseases
- improve your mental health
- it will increase your focus and boost your energy levels
- exercise is shown to reduce stress and anxiety
Stay fit and healthy with regular exercise!
Although working out in your small dorm room can be challenging at times, it’s definitely worth it. Incorporating exercise into your routine is beneficial to your health in many ways. So, grab your yoga mat and try out these five exercises you can do in your dorm room!
Meta description: You don’t have to go to the gym every day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are five excellent exercises you can do in your dorm room!