Full of beans
A well stuffed bean bag can double up as a great exercise equipment to work the entire body. It’s perfect for all fitness levels. It offers great strength and toning and leads to boosted metabolism. It makes moves like squats, lunges; planks and push-ups much harder by adding an element of instability, which makes you work harder and better. It can help improve strength and balance, which is important in preventing injuries and improving the quality of your life. You get a total body workout without stepping out of the house with just a bean bag.
Bean bags are cosy, fun and inviting too; when done with your exercises you just have to cuddle up into the bean bag and stretch out. You can do this while watching television and this way you, may never skip exercising.
—The writer is a body transformation expert.
Bean Bridge
Works on your core, glutes, hamstring muscles at one go
Lie on your back with your right foot on the bean bag, left leg extended towards the ceiling.
Place arms beside you on the floor.
Press your right foot into the bean bag and lift your torso until it’s in line with
your right thigh. Hold for five counts.
Slowly lower to start, repeat 10 times and, switch sides.
Bean Push Up
Works on your core, chest, arms and lower body
Place your hands on top of the bean bag.
Cross your legs at the ankle.
Perform push-ups by holding your body in a straight line.
Elbows shooting out, lower yourself into the bean bag.
Get back to start and do 30 repetitions.
Bean crunch
Works the abdominal muscles
Fluff up the bean bag and sit down with feet on the floor and knees at 90 degrees.
Place your hands behind your head.
Bring the alternate knee to the alternate elbow and keep changing sides. This is similar to a bicycle crunch.
Repeat for 30 counts, right and left is counted as 1 count.
Single-Legged Plank
Works on the upper body and core muscles
Place your elbows on the bean bag directly under your shoulders
Forearms parallel to each other.
Lift your body up so that it is straight from head to heels.
Keep your feet together, engaging your midsection and contract your hams and raise one leg straight up.
Hold this position for 30 seconds and then change legs.