Exercising in Front of the Television
Learn from our Home Instead Dartford guest blogger and personal trainer Ben, how to easily incorporate exercise into your daily routine, like working out in front of the TV.
How can we build exercise habits into our daily lives, particularly if it’s not something we enjoy?
Anyone who knows me will have at some point heard me say, “Try exercising in front of the TV.” A client of mine recently asked me what my reasoning was. I explained that it offers a realistic and actionable solution for integrating exercise into our daily routine. This article aims to address and resolve the fact that despite our good intentions and understanding of the importance of exercise, we often fail to do it. Entering the fitness industry, my role, as I understood it, was to educate clients on which exercises to do, how to execute them, etc. Increasingly, however, I’m observing that the underlying issue isn’t our lack of exercise knowledge but our reluctance to apply it. Even as someone who has studied fitness, I have had periods where I’ve not been as active as I ought to be.
For some, a pre-planned structured workout is simply unrealistic. It’s a big commitment to set time aside for exercise, and I know a lot of people struggle with the sense that they could be doing something else like loading the dishwasher or folding the laundry. The alternative is to incorporate exercise into our existing routine, which can be achieved in several ways. The example given in the title is a good one because it combines a more challenging habit with an enjoyable one. This helps us to feel more positive about doing the things we know we ought to.
Another simple way to increase our activity levels is to walk more. This might mean getting off the bus one stop sooner than usual or walking to the shops instead of driving. The benefits here far outweigh the sacrifice. Walking can increase bone density, improve cardiovascular fitness, increase muscular endurance, and elevate our mood. You can also utilise empty moments within the day for exercise, for example if you’re in a waiting room or letting the kettle boil. Marching on the spot or pushing your arms above your head are examples of movements you could do in these scenarios.
Creative examples that my clients have done are doing straight leg raises in bed before they get up, keeping food items on high shelves to encourage stretching, and walking along the grout lines on the kitchen tiles to challenge balance. I know my mum often does 10 step-ups on the bottom step before waking upstairs. With these examples in mind, you will be able to view your daily life through a different lens and come up with some of your own ideas that work for you.
One of the main barriers to exercise is the fact that most of us simply don’t enjoy it; it doesn’t come naturally to us. For this reason, the most powerful way to make exercise a permanent feature in our lives is to get creative, make it fun, and have it fit into our existing lifestyle with minimal friction.
About the Author
My name is Ben Broadhead, a personal trainer specialising in work with seniors and the author of “50 Exercises for Older Adults”. I also manage a small team of seated exercise instructors who provide sessions at care homes across the South-East, including areas in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and London. I offer online sessions and am passionate about inspiring seniors to stay active.
For more articles, information and access to free events and classes, simply visit my website or join my newsletter here
For seniors in Dartford looking for extra support, Home Instead Dartford offers more than just care, we provide companionship and encourage physical well-being too. Whether through companionship visits or more involved care services, our Care Professionals can help your loved ones stay active and engaged.
If you would like to learn more about our local home care services, call our friendly and professional team on 01322 923750 or send us an online enquiry at our website.