Fitness has thrived since long before the introduction of the stair-stepper. A gym's monthly membership fee is not necessary for a good workout. There are a great number of diverse exercises you can do at home without any equipment which can be just as effective as those performed on exercise equipment.

Leg exercises:

As the engines of the body, the legs are the focus of an excess of exercises. The most common and simplistic leg exercises are walking and running. In general, walking can burn about four calories per minute and that number can double or triple when running.

A pair of great exercises you can do at home which focus on the thighs and calves are wall slides and toe lifts. Wall slides are great for strengthening the thighs and take very little time to perform. Standing flat against a wall, walk your legs into a position that is closer to sitting than standing. Hold the position for a few sets of ten seconds each, or simply hold it as long as you can for muscle growth.

Toe lifts simulate the effects of jumping on your muscles without putting the strain of a landing on the body. Toe lifts focus mostly on the calf muscles with benefits to the thighs as well. Standing flat on the ground with your feet shoulder-length apart, explode up onto your toes just as you would with a jump, but without leaving the ground. Performing a few sets of ten toe lifts at least three times a week can have great benefits for legs.

Abdominal exercises:

The muscles of the midsection are a favorite target of many exercisers. Two great abdominal workouts you can do at home without any equipment are leg lifts and the bicycle exercise. Leg lifts are performed from a lying position are basically the opposite of a crunch. Instead of using your abs to lift your shoulders off the ground, use your abs to lift your leg to a point where it is pointing at the ceiling. Slowly ease your leg back down for maximum effect and alternate legs for several repetitions.

The bicycle exercise simulates the motion of biking, once again from a lying position. Bring your legs up off the floor, lift one knee toward your chest while extending the other leg. Retract your extended leg while extending your opposite leg, and you will have what appears to be a pedaling motion. This is a great way to tone the abdominal muscles.

Upper body exercise:

Without equipment, there are not too many exercises that focus exclusively on the upper body, but the simple pushup certainly pulls its weight. A properly done pushup uses the muscles of the shoulders, upper and lower arms, chest, and back. Regularly performing pushups can basically serve as an all-purpose upper body workout.

Full body/general exercises:

For a general full-body exercise you can do at home, aerobics, yoga, and martial arts are excellent choices. All three of these workouts can cater to your personal style and preferences. They can be performed at a range of intensity and skill levels and the variety found within each practice means there are options for almost anyone.

Before you spring for a gym membership, remember these simple exercises you can do at home without any equipment.

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