8 Workouts to do While Watching TV ...

1. Leg Lifts

One of the first workouts to do while watching TV is leg lifts. Lie on your right side, with your right hand holding your head and your left hand in front of you for balance, facing the TV. Slowly lift your left leg ‘till you make a 45 or 90 degree angle and drop it back to about 1-2 inches away from your right leg, still on the floor. Repeat about 15-20 times, then switch. I like to do 2-3 sets on each leg!

2. Leg Scissors

Lie in the same position as leg lifts for leg scissors. Lift both legs slightly off the floor, and swing the top leg forward and the bottom leg back in one fluid, controlled motion. Repeat again about 15-20 times and switch. Trust me, they feel simple, but the movement is toning your legs and core as well as making you balance and find your control. If both of these are way too simple, you can add ankle weights!

3. Lunges

Lunges are a great exercise to do while watching TV because the screen remains at eye level! Practice lunging forward and lunging backwards, or clear a little path to the TV for you to lunge through. Also, try diagonal back lunges on each leg, and lunging while doing arm lifts and presses with dumbbells.

4. Squats and Burpees

Squats and burpees are also a fantastic exercise to do anytime - so why not try a few while watching TV. Remember with squats to not let your knees fall in front of your toes! To amp up the squat, grab a dumbbell, medicine ball or other weight and hold the squat position with your arms extended and holding the weight. Then, pulse, a few inches up and a few inches down. You’ll feel it in your hammies! Just keep your back straight.

5. Chair Leg Lifts

Stand with a chair facing forward in front of you, as if a friend is sitting between you and the TV screen. Hold the back of the chair with your two hands, shoulder-distance apart. Tighten your tush, hold one leg and lift the other leg - keeping it straight - behind you. Steadily bring the leg back. You should also keep your toes stretched. I like to do several sets of 10 on each leg!

6. Fold Clothes

Hey, whoever said folding clothes isn’t exercise! I like to haul laundry while watching TV in between commercial breaks or a pause. Then, fold ‘em! It’s some type of movement, and it’s a great way to get your laundry done and catch up with your favorite show.

7. Your Favorite

If you’re into yoga, belly dancing or pilates, try your favorite routine in front of the TV. Some moves might make it hard to watch the screen, but I’m sure that others will work! I like to do pilate rows in front of the TV, too. Just make sure you don’t let yourself get too distracted, and keep up with proper breathing, fluid movement and rest periods!

8. Stretch

Ease into a stretch while watching your favorite show and you’ll feel even more relaxed and zoned out after an episode. Don’t stretch while watching TV if you’ll lose too much of your concentration. It’s super harmful if done incorrectly! Do what feels best for you.

Try some quick and easy workouts to do while watching TV, and mix and match your favorites! You may not get all of the benefits of a typical workout, but it’s a great way to move that body instead of couch potato-ing. What are your favorite workouts to do while watching TV?