TV workouts: 10 easy ways to exercise while watching television!

Get fit while watching TV in your front room - no, really!

10 easy TV workouts

Get fit while watching TV in your front room - no, really!

After a long day at work or chasing round after the kids, going to the gym isn't always an attractive option.

But hanging out on your sofa watching the box doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato. 

Our TV workouts are great for keeping in shape and there are loads of them the family can join in with too!

Word play

Each of you needs to choose a common word, like 'the', 'and' or 'I'. Every time it's said on your favourite programme the person who chose that word has to do a squat or star jump. You'll all be in hysterics within minutes and you'll have loads of fun making sure no one misses a turn.

Good for: Masking exercise as a fun game.

A family watching television together

Make a rule for the whole family that whenever the television is on, you have to spend the ad breaks jogging on the spot. A good three hour stint in front of the telly could mean you end up jogging for about half an hour!

Good for: Getting the whole family moving.

Tin lifting

10 easy TV workouts

During your favourite soap, sit on a straight-backed chair with a can of backed beans, or whatever tins you have in your cupboards, in each hand. Keep your arms down by your side with your palms facing the TV. Lift both tins up to your chest, bending your arm at the elbow. 10-15 mins (which will fly by!) of this will help banish those bingo wings.

Good for: Saggy arms. 

Dance time

Kids dancing while cleaning

(Image credit: Rex Features)

During an evening of TV, when there's a lull in good shows, switch on MTV or a fast-paced music TV station and dance! Half an hour of dancing will shed 130 calories.

Good for: Your mental health too - who isn't happy after a spot of dancing? 

Laughter

Kids laughing

During an ad break, get the whole family to lie on the floor, each of you resting your head on someone else's tummy. Then, start laughing. You may feel silly to start with, but soon the laughter will become very real - which is great for general well-being!

Good for: Toning stomach muscles.

Stretching

Exercise myths aerobics gym women stretching

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Do some gentle stretching while sitting on the floor while watching the telly. Trying to touch your toes, arching your arm over your head sideways, pulling the soles of your feet together... 

Good for: Anything that stretches your muscles will help flexibility and keep you toned.

Sit ups

10 easy TV workouts

During the advert breaks, lie on your back on the floor with your legs up on the sofa - bottom tucked right into the settee. Try doing between 15 and 20 sit ups while the break is on.

Good for: Your stomach - if you can keep this up every evening you'll have a six-pack in no time!

Sofa yoga

10 easy TV workouts

Lie on your stomach on the sofa with your palms down. Push up with your hands, tilting your head up to the ceiling and arching your back. Then relax the position. Do this up to ten times. 

Good for: It's a yoga position that will strengthen your core and improve flexibility.

Remote lunges

10 easy TV workouts

Every time you want to switch over, stand up, and lunge as you press the button on the remote control. Do this by standing with your legs together, remote in your left hand. Step forward with your right foot, making sure your knee is directly above your foot, as you lunge forward change channel. Hold the position for five seconds. Swap hands and feet every time you want to change channel until you find the next programme you want to watch.

Good for: Your thighs and bum.

Mini trampoline

10 easy TV workouts

Exercising on a mini-trampoline while you watch telly takes no effort and it's loads of fun! There are loads of different exercises you can do like basic bouncing, jogging, heel-toe bouncing...

Good for: It's not only fun, trampolining is an excellent form of cardio exercise. 

Where to next?

The figure fixer workout
GoodtoKnow

Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.