How to work out without weights

With summer just around the corner, it’s understandable to want to firm, shape or tone up. Most girls like guys who can see their toes. Most guys like girls who are secure enough with their body image to wear swimsuits. But what if you can’t see your toes? What if you aren’t feeling too comfortable in that two-piece? First off, it’s ok. You are perfect the way you are. But for those who want to loose a few pounds or improve their physique, these steps, coupled with a little hard work and lots of dedication, will help get you where you want.

Things You'll Need

• Gym clothes with gym shoes
• A strong work ethic
• Patience
• A water bottle

Instructions

1. Go for a run. Note that I said ‘run,’ and didn’t say ‘jog.’ Running is an effective way to burn off both calories and body fat. Even thirty minutes of running a day will go a long way to get and stay in shape. A few months ago I stopped lifting and started running. I soon noticed my shirts fitting better and a slimmed down waist size. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself how many flabby cross-country runners you see. Running is also cost effective, as it only requires a pair of gym shoes and a few free minutes.

2. Go for a swim. Swimming offers similar cardiovascular benefits to running, with one difference: increased muscle gains. While running builds up leg muscle, swimming works the entire body. While deceivingly exhausting, swimming is a fairly relaxing way to get in shape.

3. Work your core. Most gyms or health clubs have medicine balls or aptly titled core balls. Use them. These balls condition muscles that help shift body weight and control movements. Think of the core as the center of where strength-building movements originate. Furthermore, a strong core alleviates lower back pain.

4. Perform calisthenics. Remember those goofy black and white videos of groups of kids doing jump-n-jacks you used to watch in high school P.E. class? Well, hold the sarcasm, because jump-n-jacks and all of those other ridiculous looking exercises work. Lunges, mountain climbers, weightless power squats and, yes, jump-n-jacks, are all great ways to work different parts of muscles. You probably won’t get huge, but you’ll be in shape. And that’s the important thing.