Lunge when you're doing the mopping for more of a workout
Finding the time to fit in the gym or go for a run is sometimes a hassle, yet there's always time to clean our homes.
So why not combine cleaning up with a workout that will not only see you dropping the calories but you're left with sparkling household too.
Dancing on Ice's professional skater, Frankie Poultney has teamed up with Feel Good Cleaning brand Ecover to turn everyday cleaning tasks into gym-style feel good moves that will help boost happy hormones, tone wobbly bits and put a smile on faces across the nation.
From simple washing-up to hoovering, floor and window cleaning to bed-making, home tasks can be transformed into a Feel Good workout with just a few simple changes that can help you lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Starting with the addition of Feel Good music, which is scientifically proven to improve our mood as our bodies release the feel-good chemical dopamine when we hear our favourite tunes. So crank up the music when doing your chores and turn your tasks into a mini work out to help both your health and home sparkle.
Frankie says:“I am always looking for new ways to fit everything into a busy day which is why Cleanercise is the perfect solution for cleaning, excercising and feeling good too. By combining everyday home chores with some simple body toning techniques you can burn calories and give you a little boost.
“Small changes like these help you on the road to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.”
Maximising mopping
Did you know you can burn 300 calories an hour when mopping the floor? Add in some full body twists when mopping side to side, and forward leg lunges when mopping forwards and backwards, and you’ll be working your tummy, legs and arms even more. You’ll feel the benefits in no time.
Work top work-out
Clean the work tops with small and fast circular movements and some long over-arm sweeps of the cloth. A full body workout can be achieved; honing the core muscles, tightening the triceps, shoulders and back, as well as burning a hefty 250 calories each hour. Use the same technique for cleaning windows and shower enclosures – long arm sweeps deliver some great toning results.
Bicep bottle
Don’t think that gym has the only solution to toning – the home is filled with things that you can use to work out. Fill two empty Ecover bottles with water and use them as weights to tone your arms – try eight bicep curls followed by eight triceps dips, then end with some resistance exercises. Hold the bottle out in front of you at a 90 degree angle and hold them there for as long as you possibly can – a great one for strengthening your arms and your determination.
Wiggle and whip
Just because you’re busy cooking it doesn’t mean you can’t feel the health benefit. Wiggle your hips and have a spin when cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Work up your appetite with a dance behind closed doors and in the time it takes for you to whip up a delicious and healthy main course, you will have burned an additional 200 calories. Rather than sitting down while the veg are cooking have some guilty pleasure dance time – you’ll love it and your body will too.
Wash and glow
When doing the washing up, turn on your favourite music and work your glute muscles with rear leg lifts. Using the sink for balance, raise your leg behind you whilst holding in your stomach and let your leg and bottom muscles do the hard work. Complete eight on the right leg before changing for the left leg, repeat until your favourite song has finished.