For a lot of us, going to the gym during the school semester is not an option. Working out is often replaced with going to class, doing homework, participating in extracurriculars, and doing our jobs, which makes spring break the ideal time to get back in shape. The only thing is, most students still have homework to do over the break. Summer is only a few months away and if you’re the type of person who likes to be fit and healthy by the time May rolls around, here are ten workouts you can do to help destress, get fit, and do your homework all over the break.
1. The Reading-While-Biking Workout
This workout will let you exercise, study, and destress all at the same time! In addition, other people at the gym will think you’re studious, and you’ll feel like a multi-tasking ninja.
2. The Lunge
This particular workout is designed to both tone your quads and slay your enemies; namely, your schoolwork enemies. You can do it at home, at the gym, or in class, as long as you have an area big enough to do lunges in and an inhuman rage that needs to be set free. Simply lunge forward one foot at a time, hands on your hips, and use your fancy running shoes to step on your foes’ toes or block their paths. This is a surefire way to get toned legs and get even.
3. The Upside-Down Corpse Pose
While this “workout” is actually more of a yoga position, you can change it up by laying on your stomach, face-down to the floor, instead of on your back. This way, you’re blocking out all other potential distractions and simply focusing on your pose. If you want an added bonus, try doing this with all of your required reading books from this semester stacked up on your back.
4. The Squat-and-Roll
The Squat-and-Roll is perfect for when you want to strengthen your legs and get in some light cardio. Simply squat down to the floor under the weight of your responsibilities, hands in a prayer shape in front of your chest, and then do a somersault forward on either your left shoulder or right.
5. The Vacuum
This workout is especially important if you have lots of textbook reading to do over your spring break. Simply pour a favorite snack of yours on the floor (jellybeans, goldfish, etc.) in a small pile and then get into a pushup position with your chin directly above the pile. Set out your textbook on the floor at eye level so you can read it while doing pushups. When you bend your arms and lower yourself down to the floor, catch a glimpse of the words from the textbook and suck up a piece of the food in your mouth like a vacuum as a reward for studying.
6. The Desk-Bike
If your studying involves solving complicated math problems, working out at the same time could end up being tough...except with the Desk-Bike Workout! All you have to do is find a desk high enough to go over a stationary bike and start pedaling! The endorphins from your exercise should help you do your homework with more ease.
7. The Chase
This workout goes back to reading; professors will most likely give more reading than actual homework for spring break, especially if your midterms take place after the break. For this workout, you’ll need a fishing rod to attach to your back so that the hook hangs in front of your face, which will be fastened to a book. This is a hands-free way to run and read at the same time. Just make sure you don’t run into anything!
8. The Handstand
Some of us can do a handstand, but most of us cannot. For a great workout, practice your handstand against a wall and when you’ve perfected the position, put an upside down book in front of your face and study away! The handstand is a great strength-builder and reading is a good GPA-builder!
Whether you’re studying for midterms, you’re behind four chapters in a book for class, or you just want to be able to expand your mind, these workouts will help you become both smarter and stronger.
