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Driving to and from work every day can eat up a lot of your time — time that could have been otherwise spent at the gym (if you hit the lottery and could quit your job). If you’re looking to get a workout into your daily schedule, you’ll be happy to know that there are some exercises you can do during your commute. However, only do these exercises when at complete stops, such as when traffic is at a stand-still or you’re stuck at a red light. Strengthening your body shouldn’t mean increasing your insurance rates!

Note: If you feel distracted or feel like doing these exercises will affect your commute negatively, don’t engage in these activities.

Abdominal Exercises

Traditional crunches aren’t the only way to tighten your abdominals. Livestrong.com suggests trying out the “spotlight crunch,” which consists of inhaling slowly and tightening your torso as you exhale. When you inhale, slowly relax your stomach while taking a deep breath and repeat the exhaling maneuver. Make sure that you’re sitting upright while doing this exercise and that your shoulders are straight over your hips.

Glute Exercises

O The Oprah Magazine features an article about invisible fitness moves you can do, and one of them helps you work out your buttocks. To do the “glute squeeze,” sit up straight, tighten your abdominal muscles, and squeeze your buttocks together for 3 to 5 counts. Then, release for 2 counts and repeat 15 to 20 times (for each set). While this article doesn’t mention doing this exercise in cars, it’s a sitting exercise. Try it with caution, and make sure the car is always stopped.

Working Your Core

This move from The Daily Beast can work out your core, back, arms, and shoulders all at once. When you’re at a light or stuck in traffic, place your hands on the roof of the car, squeeze your abs and push up with your arms simultaneously. This creates a hold that will strengthen many areas of the body.

Conclusion

If you want to work on strengthening and toning some muscles, your morning commute may be a good time to do it. The convenience of these low-maintenance moves can help you exercise even when you don’t think you have enough time.

When it comes to being healthy, there’s no question that exercise is the key to staying fit. Eating healthy is important, but if it’s not complemented by a fitness routine, then the body has no way to gain the muscle and flexibility it needs to stay healthy. But working exercise into your daily routine can be difficult. Here are 6 ways to force fitness into your life. 

1. Exercise with a Partner

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to have someone who will hold you accountable. If you know a friend is waiting for you to arrive so you can go for a run or a walk, you’ll be much more motivated to get ready and go. It also means that you have a firm time for exercise, so you can’t say, “Oh, I’ll go later.” You know you won’t!

2. Pick Something That Motivates You

Decide why you want to work out, and focus on that. Maybe it’s to feel more energetic, healthier, or just to walk up the stairs without breathing heavily. Whatever it is, keep that image in your mind as you exercise. When you don’t want to do it, remember why it is you’re exercising. Maybe you see your grandma who can barely walk, and you’re determined to be in shape when you are her age. Whatever it is, keep that focus.

3. Keep Variety in Your Routine

One surefire way to lose your motivation is to let your exercise routine stagnate. If you do the same thing every day, you’ll get bored, and so will your muscles. If you’re finding yourself dreading your exercise, pick something new. Find a local yoga studio or adult karate class. Attend a Zumba class or swim laps. Just by doing something new, you’ll be re-energized. 

4. Get Your Fitness Certificate

One way to really motivate yourself is to earn any number of fitness certificates. This could be a certificate to become a personal trainer or fitness trainer. If you’re looking for a new career, this is a great way to motivate yourself to stay in shape (After all, who would want a flabby personal trainer?) and make some money at the same time.

5. Create a Reward System

Stay motivated by rewarding yourself for exercising. This could be something like letting yourself buy something you’ve been wanting if you exercise for a specific number of days in a row. If you’re trying to lose weight, avoid rewards that involve food. 

6. Don’t Pressure Yourself

One thing to avoid is putting too much pressure on yourself. Even if all you can do is go for a 20-minute walk during your lunch hour, that’s still something, so give yourself credit.
A lot of times, exercise is all about your state of mind. Follow these tips, and you will be successful. What is it that helps you force fitness into your life?