You Don't Need A Gym To Stay In Shape

During my 3 month stint on unemployment earlier this year, I decided to reprioritze my financial obligations. So, instead of throwing $40/month to an LA gym membership, I decided to put my fitness research and experience to use in at-home and outdoor workouts. Honestly, the gym routine becomes just that, routine. I'm not personally a fan of anything routine. Actually, I'm a firm believer that change is healthy for the mind, body, and spirit. If you become aware that workout boredome sets in after a week, then by all means, do weekly workout schedules. Or, workout one week on, take the next week off. Spin and do pilates for a month, then move to boot-camp type workouts the next month. Following this pattern will put your creativity at work in building different workout schedules, challenge a full array of muscles in your body, and in the process boost your endorphin levels like crazy! I can guarantee your spirit will be lifted. Unless of course, your diet is garbage and you drink like a fish. Then, of course, we may have other issues to deal with.

So, here's a workout anyone can do anywhere. All you need is a good pair of workout shoes and about 40 minutes:

1) Warm up for 5 minutes: I suggest marching in place and pumping both arms.
2) Squats: 10 reps (Stand with feet shoulder width apart and squat down without allowing your knees to go beyond your feet. Raise arms to 90 degree angle with body and return to squat position)
3) Lunges: 10 reps (Lunge forward without allowing knees to go beyond your feet. Repeat with other leg)
4) Bridge: 10 reps (Lay with back to floor and knees bent. Raise back and butt to ceiling creating a bridge)
5) Ab exercises: 50 reps (Choose from crunches or bicycles)
6) Push-ups: 10 reps (Girl version with knees on floor or if you're strong enough, do the real deal)
Repeat these 5 moves for 20 minutes
7) Cardio: 10 minutes (Choose any cardio activity and do 30 second intervals)
8) Cool down for 5 minutes: I suggest stretching arms, legs, hamstrings, buttocks, quadriceps