Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge. Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.

1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles. If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees. Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.

5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone. Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head. Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor. Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.

These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time. The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative. Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.

This past Sunday was the first day of Summer on the calendar, and this week we had our area’s hottest temperatures so far this year. I watched the news and the people running in this heat and it got me wondering “can’t they find ways to workout inside?” I am not an expert, but I did a little research and came up with these 5 cool twists to add to your indoor summer workout. Most of them are relatively inexpensive as well, and that’s always good.

• Yoga - Grab 30 minutes before the kids wake up and start your day with a quiet yoga routine. It is good for the body improving your overall flexibility and strength, and it is good for the soul, leaving you feeling refreshed and clear headed, better able to concentrate. Then you will be ready to tackle your day.
• Pole Dancing Workout - Poles aren’t just for firemen and strippers anymore! Pole Dancing workouts have exploded in popularity – you can find organized classes, or install one yourself to do your workout in the privacy of your own home. While definitely not low impact, the workouts tone muscles like thighs, calves, abdomen and arms. And because of the sexual overtones attached to a pole workout, it can leave you feeling more sexy and feminine.
• Walking - An excellent low impact aerobic activity that can be done outdoors, around the neighborhood, or the local track – on the nice days. Indoors your options may be a little limited. If you have a treadmill – then hop on and walk away to a walking workout tape, or put on your MP3 player and listen to music that will get you walking at a good pace. Another indoor walking alternative is shopping malls, thing is you have to walk, not shop! Walking is excellent aerobic exercise when done strenuously enough.
• Resistance or Exercise Bands - Think giant rubberbands with benefits. Seriously, these bands can be an affordable alternative to free weights. They are compact, and ultra portable, so they are easy to tuck away or pack to take with you anywhere. Check on the package as they are typically colorcoded by resistance levels. Too many benefits to go into in this little space, but not only can they help with building strength and muscle tone, they can also be beneficial in improving coordination and balance.
• Balance Ball - Also known as an Exercise or Stability ball. This is an affordable option for beginners, and for those more advanced, it can bring some variation to your normal workout routine. You can do exercises with it to target core muscle groups, as well as use it being another way to improve your overall balance and coordination. It will be a great addition to your home-gym equipment, as long as you can keep the kids from bouncing on it.

So, the next time it’s 100 degrees outside in the shade, or tomorrow, take the dirty clothes off the treadmill, clear a spot on the floor somewhere. Add one or two of the above twists to your summer workout. Keep it indoors, and don’t sweat it – as much. LOL!