5 do-anywhere exercises

An important part of healthy living is exercise. Try some of these do-anywhere exercises. And remember to switch it up to keep things fresh, interesting and effective.

• Lie face down with your legs straight behind you, toes pointed and arms straight ahead. Hold your head straight in line with your spine and raise it off the floor at a comfortable level.
• Slowly raise your right arm and your left leg at the same time until both are a little way off the floor. Hold, then slowly return to the starting position.
• Repeat with the left arm and leg. Alternate arms and legs throughout the exercise until you have completed half a set on each side.
• Stop if you get any back pain doing this exercise.

• Lie face up on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat. Grasp a dumbbell around the stem with both hands and hold it above your chest so the weight is parallel to your body.
• Keeping your elbows straight, lower your arms down and back over your head as far as comfortably possible (don't arch your back). Pause, then return to the starting position.

• Place your right knee and right hand on the seat of a chair so your back is parallel to the floor. Grasp a dumbbell with your left hand, keeping your elbow at your side so your forearm is perpendicular to the floor.
• Extend your left arm backward until the forearm is parallel to the floor. Pause, then return to the starting position.
• Complete a full set, then change sides.

• Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointing to the sides. Place your hands on your hips (you can hold dumbbells at hip level to make this move harder). Squat down toward the floor a little way.
• Lift your heels and balance on the balls of your feet, deepening the squat until your thighs are nearly parallel to the floor. Pause, then lower your heels and rise to the starting position.

• Sit on the floor, back straight and legs out in front. Bend your knees, putting your feet flat on the floor. Extend your arms in front of you at chest height with the palms facing down.
• Lean back so you are balancing on your tailbone and your feet are off the floor. Your abs should be working to stop you from falling backward. Pause, then return to the starting position.
• Keep your chin tucked in while performing this exercise.

Keep these do-anywhere exercises in mind to add some simple moves to your routine and for when you're away from home and your gym.