We would all like to be in better shape, but finding the time to exercise isn’t always easy. Most of us don’t think of our cars as somewhere that we can exercise, but this isn’t true! Here are five moves, including effective ab exercises in the car.
Butt clenches
Whether you’ve given it any conscious thought or not, you, like most of us, wish that you could have a more muscular butt. Considering how much of the day most of us spend sitting down, often due to work, driving the kids around, and doing errands, it is not likely surprising how many of us have an out-of-shape butt.
This exercise is one of the simplest that you can do in your car, but it can also be one of the most effective. The technique required is simple, all you need to do is relax your glutes, then squeeze them together for 15 seconds or so. After each squeeze and hold, give yourself a 30-second rest before the next one.
Ab pulls are effective exercises to do in the car
These are similar to butt clenches, in that they involve the relaxing and tightening of your muscles. Tightening your abs feels a lot like sucking your gut in to make yourself appear to be skinnier.
As with the butt clenches, you should leave 30 seconds between each rep. However, when exercising your abs, you want to hold the pose for 30 seconds each time.
Tricep pushes
Of all the exercises to do in the car listed here, this one is for the passenger, rather than the driver. You can get away with doing the above exercises while driving (as long as you are at a complete stop of course), however, the tricep pushes should only be performed when you are a passenger, not when you are in charge of the vehicle.
Place your feet flat on the floor so that your legs form a right angle at the knee. Sit up as straight as you can.
Then place your hands flat on the seat, by your hips. Keep your elbows bent. Straightening your elbows will lift you off the seat a little. Hold yourself up for 10-15 seconds before letting yourself back down.
The seat pushes: Easy exercises to do in the car
This is a method for exercising your triceps that can be performed while driving. Make sure that your hands are on the steering wheel at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions.
Keep your elbows bent and loose while you grip the wheel a little tighter than usual. By straightening your elbows and pressing back into the seat, pushing on the steering wheel, you can give your triceps a great workout.
Calf raises
This last one on our exercises list is actually more effective done in a car seat than while standing. To do this, make sure you sit up straight with your feet flat on the ground.
As with the position for tricep pushes, you want to make sure your legs form a right angle at the knee. Put some weight on your knees and point your toes up. You should feel some strain from this in your calves. As soon as you do, put your feet flat on the floor again.
If your current car doesn’t have enough space to allow you to comfortably stretch and exercise, check out speedfinal.com to see if there are any accessories that might help.
Exercising in your car might sound like madness, but it can be very effective! Try doing moves to build grip strength too with this related guide.
Thanks for this post Christy! Will come in handy for long car rides.
Yes, getting fit and driving a car don’t have to be mutually exclusive ;) Thanks Damien.
Love these ideas!! Makes driving a bit more productive. ;–)
Exactly, Pamela ;)
Whoa such an interesting concept! :O Great information thanks :D
Love it! Great tips very helpful :)
Doing them now…
Great tips, never thought of them before ! :)
Great tips, Christy. I’ve actually used some of these before, but I really need to try out the rest!
Great idea, Christy! I do butt clenches on my new laptop stool which can twist and sway as I do them. It’s meant to do exercises as you sit. I never get stiff. Then I stand for a little while then repeat. Thanks for sharing these. 😆
A great idea, Christy, although it did make me laugh. I can’t help thinking of all the people in the cars around me doing butt clenches.
Loved this! I forgot about those but squeezing and ab pulling tricks. I’m going to start back doing them. :) <3 P.S. Did you get my book? :)
Great tips as ever Christy! Thank you, and have a stressless weekend ahead. Michael ;-)
Hi Christy…
Great ideas… I will be working on my old skinny flat butt…
Hugs from Alberta
Good tips. Thanks for sharing the ideas.
I had put some of these into practice when I first signed up for my gym membership. I slowly slacked off on doing them. I will start again next time I go for a drive.
If you have to commute to work in traffic, might as well get in a workout. :)
Great tips! ;)
I’m not often in my car since I work from home, but I’m sure these can apply to all the hours I spend in an office chair.
What smart ideas! I never knew. Thanks for the tips! :)
Wonderful combination 👌🏻👌🏻….
I knew you going to mention those ;) great post !
Very helpful – thank you, Christy!
I’ve been looking for things to do that wouldn’t put too much strain on my still healing body, I’ll definitely give these a try!!
This is so cool! I would love to try that. Thanks for sharing! :)
Physical exercise helps to control the working mechanism of brain.
Very efficient use of your time when you’re stuck in traffic!
Brilliant…my idea of exercise!
During my first pregnancy, I began the habit of doing Kegel exercises at every red light. After birthing seven children, I wholeheartedly believe it’s the main reason that my bladder is still where it belongs — inside my body!
Hmmm…I’d like to go for a car ride please :)
I remember exercises sort of like this from long ago. Still good tips!
great ideas!