Latest news with #homeworkout
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
10 best dumbbells for building strength and muscle at home, tested by a fitness writer
Contrary to their name, dumbbells are a smart investment if you want to build fitness at home. These versatile free weights allow you to train for strength, endurance and mobility by opening the door to myriad exercises, and you only need one or two to get started. You might already have a pair gathering dust in the garage, in which case this is your sign to blow away the cobwebs and get lifting. However, given you've clicked on this article, you're probably in the market for a new pair – a mission I can lend a hand with. Dumbbells have been my primary training tool for well over a decade, and in that time I've had the chance to sample a wide range of them. From this, I know what options are on the market, and what makes a good one. Deciding on the best dumbbell for you will depend on your goals, preferred type of training and budget. Below, I've tried and tested options to suit all comers, and attempted to provide all the information necessary to help you find a dumbbell that fits your needs. How we tested There's only one way to test the best dumbbells: lift them. I used the products below for every workout they were suitable for, and even some they weren't, to test their robustness and functionality. This meant using the adjustable and selectorised sets for at-home strength training workouts, as well as some lighter prehab exercises. Then I subjected the fixed weight sets to a bit of everything, from CrossFit WODs and HIIT classes to good old fashioned bodybuilding. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews The IndyBest fitness team practice what they preach. When they're not writing about the latest health and fitness trends and products, they're out their training and trying them for themselves. This provides plenty of opportunities for testing new products, whether that's apparel, footwear, wearables, lifting accessories, recovery tools or gym equipment such as dumbbells. The best dumbbells for 2025 are:
CNET
3 days ago
- Health
- CNET
7 Simple Tips for Burning Body Fat at Home Without a Gym Membership
If you're looking to lose weight or build muscle, a gym membership can be a helpful tool. But with membership costs on the rise, it can also be a pricey investment. A recent CNET survey found that 25% of adults surveyed have had to cancel a subscription or membership due to rising costs and budgetary constraints. If you're not looking to add on another monthly membership fee, you may want to skip the gym and work on your fitness goals right at home. If your primary fitness goal is to reduce body fat, you don't have to pay for a gym membership to get results. In fact, there are simple habits you can do at home to burn body fat. Just remember to avoid spot training since research shows that focusing on a single area with targeted exercises won't result in fat loss in just that spot. Instead, when you exercise, your body breaks down fat stores from various areas, not just where you're focusing your efforts. To achieve your desired fat loss, you'll want to focus your efforts on moving your body regularly and maintaining a balanced diet. We've detailed seven easy habits you can adopt to progress toward your goal. 1. Get your steps in Walking is an ideal workout outside the gym. It can be done around the neighborhood or at a park. On good weather days, you can also get some much-needed fresh air. Plus, it's free, and you can take your dog with you (if you have one). Walking is also a body fat buster. One study found that healthy postmenopausal women lost 3.9% of body fat after 30 weeks of walking and 1.8% after 15 weeks of walking. While we can't target specific areas, walking can help lose belly fat. According to a December 2024 meta-analysis, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (like walking) per week may help adults with obesity or those who are overweight slightly reduce waist circumference, body weight and measures of fat. However, the greatest improvement was seen with 150 minutes per week. 2. Try intermittent fasting One diet trend that has risen in popularity over the years is intermittent fasting. As the name suggests, this is where people fast for a certain time, and then eat at other scheduled times. One study review found that subjects who fasted intermittently had weight loss ranging from 0.8% to 13%. The idea is to force the body to use up its immediately accessible sugar stores and start burning fat. A perk of intermittent fasting is that you can customize it to your preference and ability to abstain from food. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, fasting can last for a certain number of hours every day or even just eating one meal per day for two days out of the week. For instance, you might only eat during an 8-hour period each day and fast the rest of the day. It's important to note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone, especially those at risk for disordered eating or during pregnancy. Before trying intermittent fasting, consult with your doctor to ensure you follow the best plan for you and your goals. 3. Lift heavier weights This point might seem counterintuitive since we just covered how you can't burn fat in one specific region, no matter how many stomach crunches you do. You can balance weight training to target multiple muscle groups or work on certain body parts as part of a whole-body workout. That may give you more balance and a lean appearance and help with body composition. If you don't have dumbbells at home, check out these household items that double as weights. Weight training can also help you lose fat while building muscle. Studies show that 3 pounds of lean muscle weight gain corresponded to 4 pounds of fat weight loss. Resistance training has also been shown to reduce body fat percentage, body fat mass and visceral fat (the fat that surrounds your organs). The National Institute on Aging recommends resistance training, either with weights or bodyweight exercises like pushups, for at least two days a week, so it can be a fairly easy exercise to fit into your schedule. 4. Start running or jogging Azlin Nur Bakarudin/EyeEm/Getty Images Another great exercise idea to lose body fat is to start running or jogging. Like walking, you can do it around the neighborhood or in a park, so it's free. If you're concerned about the weather, you can also find an indoor track at a gym or community center. You can also consider getting a treadmill or elliptical to run or jog at home. Sprint training, where you switch how fast you run every several seconds, is especially good at busting the fat. The Centers for Disease Control also recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or a mix of the two every week. The CDC lists walking at a rate of a 15-minute mile as moderate activity and jogging or running as vigorous. 5. Focus on high-intensity interval training This type of exercise, often shortened to HIIT, involves exercising as hard as possible for short bursts and then spending some time doing lower-intensity training. A perk of this exercise is that it can be any activity that gets your heart pounding, from jumping jacks to stair climbing, so it's customizable based on how much room you have and what equipment you have around. It's a fat buster too. It may result in a modest reduction of overall and abdominal fat. You can do 30 seconds to several minutes of hard-as-you-can working out and then 1 to 5 minutes of recovering with a lower-intensity exercise level. These workouts typically last about 30 minutes, including 5-minute warm-ups and cool-downs, but they can be tailored to suit comfort and fitness levels. Typically, the aim is to do these sessions five times a week. 6. Eat the right foods You can also focus on your diet. While there are no foods that'll magically burn your fat, there are foods that can increase your metabolism. Most of these foods are high in protein and good-for-you fats, making you feel fuller longer. Some foods to incorporate into your diet if you're trying to reduce fat, as listed by the CDC, Healthline and the World Health Organization, include: Fat-free, sugar-free yogurt, such as Greek yogurt Fatty fish like tuna, herring or salmon Eggs Veggies Fruit Green tea Whey protein Olive oil Beans Grilled chicken 7. Prioritize quality sleep We tend to associate burning fat with endless exercise and painfully restrictive diets. Getting a good amount of rest can also help get rid of the fat. Staying awake for too long can make us eat sugary foods to stay awake, give us tired and ineffective workouts, and may even contribute to stress and inflammation, leading to poor workout recoveries. One study found that not getting enough sleep decreased the proportion of fat weight loss by 55%. Another found that better sleep quality was linked to more weight and fat loss. Another study found a positive relationship between sleep duration and body fat loss. The Mayo Clinic recommends adults get seven or more hours of sleep at night. Sleep needs can vary by individual, so adjust higher if seven doesn't quite feel like enough. The bottom line When it comes to losing fat at home, you have many different options. You could try walking, running, high-intensity interval training or bodyweight training, all of which have studies backing up their fat loss capabilities. You might also try adjusting your diet. Eat foods that are low in saturated fat and sugar and ones that can keep you full longer. Opt for high-protein or low-calorie foods like grilled chicken, beans, eggs or green tea. You can also try intermittent fasting. Finally, make sure you're getting enough sleep. A good amount of sleep is also associated with fat loss.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ditch the gym — strengthen your whole body in under 30 minutes with this workout
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Finding the time for a workout is challenging, even for fitness pros like me. Fortunately, it doesn't take hours a day to get stronger and build muscle — if you've got some dumbbells and a half hour, you can make major strides in your health and wellness goals. I was just cleared to resume exercise after having a baby, but fitting the gym into my schedule has been impossible. I scrolled through Instagram to find an at-home workout to do instead, and stumbled on Lauren Jayne Lawler's recent 24-minute full-body workout. Here's what I thought of her routine. Working out at home is great, but I always recommend meeting with a certified personal trainer first to learn proper exercise form and technique. If you're recently postpartum like me, always follow the recommendations of your medical team. In addition to a set of dumbbells, you'll also want to roll out a yoga mat for some cushioning. All of the exercises can be done with just two light dumbbells, but it's best to have a moderately-heavy and a heavy pair available as well. There are six exercises in this program, each done for 45 seconds in three circuits. You'll rest for 15 seconds in between each move, and rest for 30 seconds at the end of each circuit. The exercises are: Supine grip Romanian deadlift to curl squat Gorilla row Static bridge chest press Squat knee to elbow crunch (both sides) Front delt raise squats Overhead reverse lunge knee drive When Lawler said this workout was 'full body,' she wasn't kidding. Here's what I noticed: All of the exercises in Lawler's workout are compound moves that target multiple areas at once, so you'll be working almost all of the major muscles in your body (more on the 'almost' part below). Compound exercises are a great option when you're limited on time. Movements like the static bridge to chest press require effort from your hamstrings, glutes, deep core, and pecs all at once — in 45 seconds, you'll have effectively worked your upper body, lower body, and core. By the time I finished my third circuit, my entire body felt fatigued. That's a pretty impressive feat given the workout's relatively short duration. I was sore the next day, but it didn't impact my normal routine, so I knew I had worked at an appropriate level. The triceps didn't get much attention in Lawler's program, at least not in the same way that the quads, glutes, biceps, and shoulders do. It's not that these muscles weren't working at all, but it was in a more supportive or stabilizing manner. I wanted to bring my triceps into action, so I altered one of Lawler's exercises a bit. During the second circuit, I added an overhead tricep extension to the overhead reverse lunge knee drive. This felt like a natural place to insert the exercise, and it didn't interrupt my flow at all. This routine is pretty comprehensive on its own, so you certainly don't have to throw in anything extra. However, you can add a tricep move and still keep the workout under half an hour. This workout's structure is similar to HIIT (or high-intensity interval training), with short exercise bursts followed by even shorter rest periods. The beauty of timed intervals is that you can go at your own pace — if you're a beginner or you want to focus on building strength, you can perform the movements more slowly. If you want a cardiovascular challenge, you can move quickly. Since I hadn't exercised in a while, I chose to do Lawler's routine at a moderate tempo. My heart rate stayed elevated the entire time, but it never got into a 'high intensity' range. This allowed me to get the best of both worlds — I was able to use heavier weights on moves like the supine grip RDL and overhead reverse lunge knee drive, while also breaking a sweat and getting a little breathless. I finished all three circuits in a little over 23 minutes, which is close to what Lawler estimates. I'd given myself a full half hour for my workout, so I got to squeeze in some stretches and mobility work at the end. Most '30-minute workouts' tend to be closer to 35 minutes in length, so I appreciated Lawler's accuracy. That being said, what usually makes these programs longer than advertised is the inclusion of a warm-up and cool-down. You can fit both into those extra six minutes. No more crunches! Build a strong, stable core with these 5 standing ab exercises I swapped running for 'Jeffing' for a week — and now I'm hooked I tried the 5-4-5 walking technique for a week — and it boosted my fitness and mood
Cosmopolitan ME
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Reformer Pilates from home? Totally doable, and here's how
Reformer Pilates is no joke – and if you've ever glided, pushed, or pulsed your way through a class, you already know. It's the workout that tones your core, sculpts your legs, and gives you that slow burn *and* main character energy. While studio sessions are iconic (and let's be real, extremely Instagrammable), taking your reformer practice home is the ultimate flex. Whether you're skipping the commute or just want to move on your own time, home reformer Pilates is the way to go – and the good news? You don't need a studio-sized space or celeb trainer to get started. @theblondelubnanieh I'm not a trainer so take this with a grain of salt 🧂 ♬ Woman Like You – kryptogram Here's what you need to live your best reformer life at home: The Reformer Machine Whether you're short on space or building a full-on home studio, there are plenty of reformer options to suit your setup. From compact, foldable designs to full-size studio-style machines. We've spotted a few available to purchase in the UAE – so yes, your at-home Pilates era is totally within reach. Fold Reformer Click here to purchase. Pilates Academy Dubai Click here to purchase. Ultimate Pilates Click here to purchase. The Essentials Add on accessories like Pilates loop, small weights, resistance bands, Pilates balls, and grip socks. Think of it as your cute workout starter pack – functional *and* aesthetic. Here are some brands for inspo: Cyrenne Bala The Programs Download workout apps like Your Reformer or Forma Pilates, or browse YouTube for free routines that range from beginner to burn-your-core-off level. Pro tip: light a candle, throw on your fave set, and vibe. The best part? No bookings, no pressure – just you, your reformer, and that post-workout glow. ✨ Pilates a home not your thing? Check out these Pilates studio.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Kmart wows shoppers with $49 at-home workout gadget for weight loss: 'I need it in my life'
Kmart Australia has made home workouts even more affordable with the launch of a new $49 item. The retailer quietly released the 'Multi Workout Station' across stores nationwide, which makes it easier to strengthen your core and arms. A range of exercises can be performed using the at-home exercise gadget, including bicep curls, triceps extension, shoulder raises and ab rolls. The product is also lightweight and can be folded away for easy storage and comes with two resistance tubes, a comfort pad and two buckles to perform a variety of exercises. 'A full body workout without leaving home? Our $49 multi workout station makes it easy,' Kmart said in its video. Despite recently launching, it's already a hit with customers who are 'obsessed' with the gadget while others revealed the product has sold out in their store. 'I've just bought one and I love it,' one said. 'Looks good for the price point,' another shared. 'I need it in my life,' one added. Product pictured But others weren't convinced and claimed the product looked 'flimsy'. 'I bought this and have been using it, works well for the price. However I find it doesn't glide as easy through the middle part where the join is, which is frustrating as you sometimes have to slide back and forth to get it past the middle section,' one shopper commented. 'But it still manages to do a decent workout and folds away neatly.' 'I'd snap that first go,' another claimed. Earlier this year, the retailer launched a 10-in-1 core trainer, which is perfect for strengthening your abdomen, biceps and thighs, offering multiple exercise options - including sit-ups, stomach crunches, push-ups and leg raises. Featuring three levels of resistance, the versatile workout tool is ideal for anyone looking to elevate their fitness routine at home. Weighing just 1.8kg, the product offers 10 different exercises - including sit-ups, push-ups, biceps training, oblique crunch, side crunch, stomach crunch, abdominal crunch, leg raises, thigh training and sit-up crunch. 'If your New Year's resolution involves getting stronger, you need this core trainer from Kmart,' a fitness enthusiast said in a Kmart video. 'You can do 10 different exercises to work every part of your body. And it's such a great workout. 'For only $39, I highly recommend you give this a try.' Meanwhile, many nostalgic shoppers pointed out the budget retailer was bringing back the '90s core trainers, which were commonly seen on infomercials. Many expressed their excitement over the classic 'ab worker' returning to shelves while others recalled their mums - and even grandmas - owning a similar fitness tool. 'Next minute we'll all be back in fluoro Lycra and listening to Olivia Newton-John's 'Let's get physical' on repeat,' one said, laughing. 'Oh my god they are back. We've come full circle if these bad boys are back,' another shared. '90s are really coming back from fashion to workout gear yes,' one added. 'My mum and aunties all had one in the '90s growing up - we used to play with it,' another revealed. Meanwhile, many said they couldn't wait to get their hands on the 'cool' gadget. 'Such a good idea,' one said. 'Oh I like the look of this,' another raved. 'I need this,' one added.
