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Getting fit in the comfort of your home

By Daisy Carrington | dcarrington@am-ny.com

March 5, 2008

Jump Ups: Demonstrated by Christian Valbuena, co-owner and personal trainer at ValFittness in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (Jefferson Siegel / March 4, 2008)

Getting the perfect gym body isn't easy. First of all, it usually requires, well, a gym membership. If the monthly dues seem a little steep, or if your nabe is "up-and-coming" (translation: you live nowhere near a gym), you can still get fit at home.

"Whether you do it at home, or do it in a gym, cardio is such an important factor in your workouts," says Christian Valbuena, co-owner of Carroll Gardens' ValFitness. Valbuena has devised a routine that you can do in the comfort of your living room.

1. Burpees, aka, down-ups

Stand straight with your arms up above your head. Quickly squat down and put your hands on the floor. Kick your legs out behind you and get into a push-up position. Perform one push-up, then jump your feet into a squat and stand back up, getting into the original position. Try and do one set of ten reps to start, ultimately working your way up to three sets of ten, or more if you can handle it.

2. Lateral downs

This exercise can be done with weights, a medicine ball or a jug of water. Stand straight with your legs slightly larger than shoulder width apart and hold the weight so that it is level with your chest. Lean to the right, bending your right knee but keeping your left leg straight, and slowly lower the weight so it is almost touching the floor. Bring the weight back up to chest level and repeat on the left side. Do at least one set of ten reps on each side, adding reps the more often you perform the exercise.

3. Jump ups

This exercise can be done with weights, a medicine ball or a jug of water. Hold the weight so it is level with your chest. Perform a squat, going as low as possible, and touch the weight to the floor. Then jump up in the air while holding the weight above your head. Perform at least one set of ten reps, increasing the reps the more you perform the exercise.