I have to say…after trying out Monday’s little workout while watching TV, I’ve become somewhat intrigued. The more you think about it, using commercial breaks to get some extra movement into your day is absolutely genius.
I mean, now don’t get me wrong. I totally get that there are some days where, once we sit down to catch our favorite TV show, the thought of moving from the couch for anything more than a break for the bathroom seems daunting. But for those days where you may have a little extra spunk while watching the ‘boob tube,’ why not give this little routine a try?
I designed it so each commercial break incorporates some dynamic movement, a strength move, and something to hit the core. So whether you do two breaks or five, you’ll still be moving!
The Commercial Break Workout
Commercial Break #1
- 15 squats
- 30 lateral hops (place the TV remote on the floor and hop side to side over it)
- 15 crunches
Commercial Break #2
- 20 alternating lunges (10 on each leg)
- imaginary jump rope – 60 “hops”
- 30 bicycles (15 each side)
Commercial Break #3
- 50 jumping jacks
- 15 push ups
- 15 supermans (lie facedown on floor, lift legs and arms off floor at same time)
Commercial Break #4
- 50 mountain climbers (25 on each side)
- 15 tricep dips (use the coffee table if you have to!)
- 20 plank with side-to-side toe taps (10 each side)
Commercial Break #5
- 30 skaters OR high knees
- wall sit – 60 seconds (use any of those walls! Keep the thighs parallel to ground)
- 20 alternating side planks (10 each side, on elbows or hands)
And, of course, in case you’re a marathon TV watcher or a fan of the two hour Bachelorette episodes, feel free to repeat this routine more than once.
Julianna @ Julianna Bananna says
i will definitely be using this workout! i don’t watch a lot of TV but when i do i’d definitely be better off squeezing in a little movement!
SaraRM says
Thats a good one!
Madison @ Pilates Makes You Happy says
Love This! Thank you!
Amy says
Wow this is fantastic!!!!!! Thanks Courtney :)
Angie @ Losing It and Loving It says
Looks like a great workout!
And yes I waste time watching The Bachelorette shhhh
Blog is the New Black says
Courtney….. can you put together a killer arm workout? My wedding is just short of 4 weeks away (EEK!) and I’d love to get the most “bang for my buck” with an arm routine… :)
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love this! A great way to get up and move! Haha I might have to split them in half though since I don’t have a tv and watch shows on Hulu, the breaks are shorter!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
This is awesome! Love this!
When I was a kid, I used to use commercial breaks to practice oboe. It made it seem like less of a chore. ;)
Megan@ The Running Doc says
This is perfect! I can still be lazy and watch TV but feel less guilty about it cause I’ll at least be getting a little exercise in. :)
Amanda Brezgel says
I absolutely love this! :D Been feeling lazy while watching TV lately and have done some of this, but it’s nice to have something to follow. Thanks!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife says
pinned! this is like the best workout everrr! Thanks girl! (:
Shannon says
This is genius! I absolutely love these workouts; they’re so simple (well…except for the wall sit- I’ll die at that one). Looking forward to trying this next Monday for the Bachelorette or if I watch any TV this weekend.
Thank you! :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Ummm I think I might be using this workout tonight haha. Thanks for the idea! ;)
krystal@coffeecardiogoddess says
I love this! I do this type of workout all the time as I am a person that can hardly ever just sit unless I’m reading a book. I will try your version out tonight!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
Love it! Thanks for posting! I need to like pin it next to the TV :)
Amanda says
What a great idea. I’m glad you put together a workout! :)
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Love this idea!
Ali says
Great idea! I’ll try it when I’m watching Food Network! :)
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
Love this! TV time is always a great opportunity to sneak in a little fitness!
Jaren@Kiwi Fit Blog says
Love this! The fiance and I do this as well. Bust out workouts during the commercials and try to beat the other.
Annie @ What's Annie Making? says
I love this idea! Maybe this would make watching 2 hr bachelorette episodes feel a little less guilty ;)
Angela says
I am going to use this! Sometimes at night I am so lazy laying on the couch watching tv, this will be good to break up the laziness!
Amy B @ Second City Randomness says
I definitely have done the situps/jumping jacks/pushups during commercial breaks before. It’s a nice way to feel a little more productive in the day. Even if my roommate thinks it’s weird…
Meredith @ DareYouTo says
Great ideas !! Pinned so I remember to get moving next time.
Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says
Commercial break workouts are a great idea, however, I tend to DVR everything! I may use these to do around the house when I am cleaning or organizing or playing with my kids. I think fitting in little bits of extra exercise whenever you can is a perfect idea!!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
Hah I love it! I think I should just do this at work when I need a little pep in my day. The people who look at you weird just wish they were brave enough to workout at work lol
Lisa says
Too bad all my shows are recorded before! No commercials for me, maybe I’ll have to start watching them again, just so I can get in some extra movement ;)
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
These are great ideas for quick workouts! Now if I could only muster up the motivation to get up during the commercials, we would be golden! ;-)
Haley @ Housegirl Haley says
Great idea! I want to do this, and I bet I would have gotten an awesome workout on Monday night…I’m one of those two hour Bachelorette episode watchers. haha
Miz says
oooh yes yes yes.
I live this :)
here it is all about squeeeeeeezing in the movement where I can :)
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
perfect for killing a lazy TV session!
Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says
This is awesome! I will try any excuse to be active! Trying it out tonight :)
Elizabeth says
Thanks ! I love that you put this workout together. I am going to use this workout when I watch TV.
Sabrina @Work It Ms Jackson says
This is great! I usually use the commercials to pick up around the house, start laundry, etc, but I’m going to try this. I love it!
Molly Ritterbeck says
I think you should make this a regular segment from now on – I am loving it! I am going to have to try it!
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
This is SO awesome. What a great idea!!!
Teresa says
This is great! Thanks!!
When I watch TV, it’s usually DVR’d shows, so I don’t have commercial breaks. I do however sit in a cubicle for 10 hours a day, so I’m sneaking out once an hour to do one of these workouts. Hopefully it’ll keep me energized and more focused at work!
Cristina says
I am going to try this tonight, great idea creating a work out for it…..sometimes i will just do weights in the middle of commercials but I always want something that will get my heart rate up!
Carrol says
Very nice article, totally what I wanted to
find.