10 Exercises to Tone Every Inch of Your Body

Getting toned is a goal of many, and the good news is, fancy gym equipment or even a gym membership is not necessary. With just your bodyweight and a little motivation, you’ll be able to tone every inch of your body. Here is a comprehensive list of ten exercises that will help you to build strength, improve flexibility, and enhance general fitness.

1. Push-Ups

Target Areas: Chest, shoulder, triceps, core

Push-ups are a great exercise choice to build the upper body. Begin in plank position, arms shoulder-width apart. Lower down until your chest nearly touches the ground, and then push back up. To modify, drop to your knees.

2. Squats

Target Areas: Quads, hamstrings, glutes

The squats tone the lower body. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and lower your hips back as if you’re going to sit in a chair, keeping your chest lifted. Go as low as comfortable. Push through the heels to return to standing.

3. Lunges

Target Areas: Quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves

Target multiple muscles of the lower body with lunges. From a standing position, step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees are bent at around a 90-degree angle. Switch legs for your set.

4. Plank

Target Areas: Core, shoulders, back

Plank is one of the best exercises for core strength. Begin on your forearms and toes, keeping your body in a straight line. This can be done for as long as you can hold the position, concentrating on engaging the core muscles.

5. Tricep Dips

Target Areas: Triceps, shoulders, chest

Using a steady and sturdy chair or bench, sit with your hands down by your sides. Slide your body forward to lower yourself down by bend- ing your elbows and push back up. This effectively targets the back of your arms.

6. Mountain Climbers

Target Areas: Core, shoulders, legs

Mountain climbers are an explosive exercise that really gets the heart pumping and the muscles tightening. Begin in a plank position, and quickly alternate between drawing your knees into your chest as if you were “climbing.”

7. Glute Bridges

Target Areas: Glutes, hamstrings, lower back

This is best done while lying on your back, knees bent, and feet flat on the ground. Raise your hips toward the ceiling by squeezing your glutes at the top before lowering down and repeating this motion for an effective workout on your lower body

8. Bicycle Crunches

Target Areas: Core, obliques

Bicycle crunches effectively target your abs and obliques. Lie on your back, lift your legs to a tabletop position, and alternate bringing your elbow to the opposite knee in a pedaling motion.

9. Side Plank

Target Areas: Core, obliques, shoulders This is a great way to strengthen the obliques. Lie on your side on the floor, resting up on one elbow. Lift the hips so that there’s a straight line from head to feet: Hold for 30 seconds on each side

How to Fall Asleep in 10, 60, or 120 Seconds: Quick Tips for a Restful Night

10. Burpees

Target Areas: Full body

Burpees combine strength and cardio, making them a killer exercise. Start standing, drop into a squat, kick your feet back into a plank, return to squat, and jump up explosively. This full-body movement burns all those calories while toning up those muscles.

Tips for Success

• Warm-Up: A proper warming-up should be done before starting exercises for optimum preparation of the body and resistance against injuries.
• Form Over Quantity: Concentrate on doing correct repetitions-one after the other-rather than speeding up to do high numbers of repetitions on each exercise.
• Incorporate Variety: The inclusion of variety would keep the exercise routine interesting thus avoiding plateaus.
• Be Consistent: For optimal results in workouts, target to work out four to five repetitions every week.
• Cool Down and Stretch: Always finish a workout session with some stretching to get better flexibility and reconstitute

With these light overall exercises, you can totally tone yourself from the comfort of your home. But above all, follow that great blend of consistency, enough good food, enough water, and good sleep for benefits on your fitness journey; and get started right now! Flow with your health and happiness with Zen Health Flow!