Since we live in a small apartment, it’s tough to get a workout in. And with all the reading, sitting, and typing we do all day, there’s just not a lot of time for activities like dumbbell curls and jogging. That’s why we’ve designed these healthy exercises to help tone up. They’re perfect for anyone living in a tiny apartment, but they’ll be especially helpful if that apartment happens to be in Belgium.
Small Fridge Squats
To begin the exercise, squat to reach the food in the fridge. Once your body has reached the level of the food, extend your arm to grasp the food, then extend your legs in a rising motion. End by placing the food on the counter.


For added difficulty, try picking up heavier foods. Next, as you place this heavier food on the counter, realize that you are, in fact, poor, and that eating that right now will probably end up costing you another 5 euro later on. Now squat back down, replacing the food in the fridge for later.
Works: glutes, thighs, and triceps
Tiny Stair-stepper
Gingerly step from one step to another, remaining on the balls of your feet. Be sure to be extra ginger; if you’re not, the staircase will probably break apart beneath you, leaving you in a pile of rubble on top of our kitchen table. (Cleaning the rubble, however, could be a nice arm workout too.)

For added burn, ascend and descend the stairs with your arms slightly raised away from your sides for balance. This will help work your lower back, and it will help keep the stairs from swaying so violently that they pitch you off.
Works: the calves, quads, and balance
Shivering

Most people shiver out of necessity, taking for granted the wonderful health benefits that come along with debilitating cold. But shivering can also be a vibrant part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s a whole-body workout that’s sure to hit all of your target zones, melting the fat away like a leather belt attached to a paint shaker.
To add to the burn, drink hot tea while you shiver–the caffeine suppresses the appetite and works as a natural diuretic. Not too much though! Too much tea will warm you right up, and that’s the major no-no of this powerful new exercise.
Works: whole body
Note: If you can’t find a place with ideal shivering conditions, come to Belgium and sit on our cold wooden chairs and hard wood floor that never seem to warm up, no matter how much body heat you lose. If you can’t make it to Belgium, tell your landlord to call a group of unskilled, unqualified “handy-men” to “fix” your heat for you. You’ll be shivering in no time.
Running away from Trevor’s cold hands
This isn’t my favorite workout, but Linds swears by it. To begin, find a Trevor (this may be difficult, as the only one is currently in belgium). Stand in close proximity to his icy cold hands, preferably while showing skin on your arms or neck. When the Trevor’s hands come near you, run in the opposite direction until you either hit a wall or trip on a pair of shoes. These short-burst sprints will add to your lung capacity and burn calories quickly.
Try this exercise after warming up from a good shiver and glass of tea, as the endorphins from the shakes and the caffeine from the tea will combine perfectly to help give you that extra jolt you need to get away from Trevor’s icy grip.
Works: heart, lungs, legs
Phone raises
No matter what my workout plan, I always like to add at least one exercise for my arms. That’s how I came up with the revolutionary exercise I’ve dubbed “phone raises.” Though lifting your phone to your ear doesn’t exactly count as weight training, doing it enough times will help tone and sculpt your biceps, triceps, and wrists.
Begin by picking up your phone. Hold the device in front of you, carefully typing each digit of your landlord’s telephone number (this fine motor focus will help build long, lean muscle). This might seem like a one-and-done exercise, but believe us, it’s not; there’s no telling how many reps you could get in before your landlord actually decides to pick up the phone. In the rare event that your call is answered, don’t worry. Simply hold the phone in place for as long as possible, until the landlord assures you that Bruno will be over to fix everything later, or as is usually the case, informs you that–no matter what the content of your request–“This is not possible.”
Done on the phone too soon? Don’t worry. Give ’em another call. There’s sure to be something more around your place that needs fixing.
Works: biceps, triceps, wrists, patience


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