The equipment: A sturdy coffee table, Stressed Out? Here's Your New Workout

Fitness

Stressed Out? Here's Your New Workout

When you're stressed, the last thing you want to do is exercise. But these 11 easy moves will help you feel better fast

August 28, 2011 | by Meghan Rabbitt | 45 COMMENTS

The equipment: A sturdy coffee table

The trainer: Ashley Smith, a personal trainer in Oklahoma City
The move: Step-ups
Difficulty: Easy to medium

Step your right foot onto the coffee table. Making sure your knee is directly above your ankle, engage your quad, hamstring, and butt muscles to stand up, lifting your left leg up so it taps the table. Step down and repeat on the left side. Do three sets of 12 to 15 repetitions on each leg.

SEE NEXT PAGE: The equipment: Golf ball

11 of 12

leave a comment

View old comments

Thanks for the info

by EricaF123 Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 04:20PM Report as inappropriate

I thought some of these exercises were interesting.

by Sari Monday, January 7, 2013 at 09:26PM Report as inappropriate

I dont own a skateboard

by kimihavens Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 08:53AM Report as inappropriate

very interesting....

by Chris213 Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate

These tips do away with the I can't exercise excuse!

by robyne00 Friday, September 21, 2012 at 11:36AM Report as inappropriate

I felt like a new person after this work-out!

by alictasia Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 10:02AM Report as inappropriate

These look like good techniques.

by andyv1217 Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 09:47PM Report as inappropriate

love the beach towel roller abs, I often hurt my neck doing situps!

by sportimonki13 Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 07:18PM Report as inappropriate

where my comment go? :( I hate it when my comment doesn't show up.

by MissXu Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 08:52AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips, I will try some of these. :)

by yestfl Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:04PM Report as inappropriate

I love tricep dips

by LittleBunny Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 10:40AM Report as inappropriate

I use my chair to do tricep dips.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 08:20PM Report as inappropriate

There are some good ideas here! I expected it to be a lot of the same things I've read before, but most of it was new.

by tallredamanda Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 07:14AM Report as inappropriate

I love these! Perfect for those of us that are on a strict budget, thank you!

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 01:16PM Report as inappropriate

Great tips, especially for a college student with zero money to spend!

by chealy215 Monday, March 19, 2012 at 11:20AM Report as inappropriate

Oh...WoW!!! Those were some really great ideas. I am going to try some of those ideas to help change up my routine a bit--to keep it from getting old!!!!

by jbynum Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 11:23PM Report as inappropriate

Great ideas! I LOVE IT!

by yestfl Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 07:42PM Report as inappropriate

I'm totally about to go try these things.

by JKlaaas Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 01:14PM Report as inappropriate

I'm so trying this.

by queenphoto Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 04:17PM Report as inappropriate

guess you have to keep things changing to keep from getting bored

by libby_stady Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 08:29PM Report as inappropriate

For more exercise tips follow me on Twitter! Cody Harter

by codythetrainer Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:37PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting

by krycekov Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 07:37PM Report as inappropriate

good tips

by Niq Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 10:44AM Report as inappropriate

wow this is great

by Nicole2814 Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 04:24PM Report as inappropriate

I can't believe I've used some of these as a fun workout at home. I used to think I'm crazy but now i feel really good. It would have been great if a picture with the positions is added instead of just the items.

by ebbsandtides Friday, December 9, 2011 at 08:31PM Report as inappropriate

Great thanks

by andie Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 08:16PM Report as inappropriate

love how many household things can be used to get a good workout in! :)

by ladyboarder9669 Monday, December 5, 2011 at 02:36PM Report as inappropriate

I am all for home workouts why go to the gym when there is millions of equipment free workout videos online for free

by monconduitm2 Friday, December 2, 2011 at 09:06PM Report as inappropriate

good ideas

by kmb1129 Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 03:30PM Report as inappropriate

I still go to the gym simply because it's free, sponsored by the company I work with. Otherwise, I won't go at all. Hiring a trainer is soo expensive.

by grass Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 07:30PM Report as inappropriate

good tips

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

eh ill just stick to the biggest loser on my wii

by trancegoddess Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 08:14PM Report as inappropriate

this is technically not a $0 gym because you would need to buy the melon/office chair/beach towel, etc. and I agree with littlebunny that I think an actual gym isn't necessary.

by katiespeaking Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 01:21PM Report as inappropriate

These are great, I just wish i had more of the stuff at home!

by murph2mr Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

Such awesome and simple tips!

by vfalkow Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 01:31PM Report as inappropriate

great tips!! clever!

by gisellemarie Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

I always say that a "gym" is totally unnecessary..your own body and some space is all you need!

by LittleBunny Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:12AM Report as inappropriate

neat ideas, thanks!

by awan0912 Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 09:00PM Report as inappropriate

I got the most amazing fitness dvd a few months back. Its Joel Harper's Fit Pack total and it requires no equipment! Its a 2 disc set of 17 effective workouts that require only a mat or a towel. It is amazing and has all different levels for the beginner to the advanced. A lot of the exercise are new to me but boy do I feel it the next day!

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 02:15PM Report as inappropriate

I like all these workouts knowing I can do them at home with the kids around when noone can watch them, but it would be easier if you would've shown and example of how to do eah exercise. Because some of these I know how to do while others I'm left wondering, what the heck does that mean???

by charlene_vazquez Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 01:11PM Report as inappropriate

Honestly, when people say they can't afford the gym, I think it's generally an excuse. When you look at what you spend money on in a month, it's more than likely that you can budget for the gym. If you're motivated enough to work out without needing a gym membership, fine. But I really need a separate workout space, where I feel motivated and have lots of equipment at my disposal.

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 08:37PM Report as inappropriate

yes, loved the skateboard idea!

by gisellemarie Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 01:47PM Report as inappropriate

skateboard! genius!

by lsadel Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 11:00AM Report as inappropriate

good tips

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Monday, August 29, 2011 at 12:15PM Report as inappropriate

It drives me nuts when people say they don't work out because they can't get to the gym-- people, you don't need to go to the gym! All you need is your own body weight and a little space to get a great workout.

by LittleBunny Monday, August 29, 2011 at 12:08PM Report as inappropriate

Home » Diet & Health » Fitness » Health » Stressed Out? Here's Your New Workout