You spent a good portion of your summer (deservingly) laying on your back, soaking up the sun, and predominantly tightening up tummy muscles. But, now that we’re well into heavy laptop-toting, long Friday mode, it’s your backside’s turn to get toned. Those muscles not only improve your posture, but also stave off all sorts of future aches and pains and twitches. Here are three fitness tools under $40 that can chisel your back and better your posture—all in the comfort of your own home.
RIGHT ROUND
Fitness gurus are united in their praise for the Stability Ball. Why all the love? Let’s start with reduced lower back pain. Exercises on a stability ball (we lean toward Gaiam’s options) reach and strengthen the deep muscles around the front, back and sides of your spine. Plus, performing crunches on a stability ball keeps your abs in bikini mode. Step it up by adding lunges, push-ups, frog hops.
GET A GRIP
When you’re just about ready to snap, grab your Resistance Bands which allow your stretch and pull as wide as your arms will let, with the might you’d reserve for the nuisance that’s driving you to grrr. These giant size rubber bands mirror the back-toning exercises you might do with a seated rows and lateral pulldowns.
One option is to sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Place the middle of the band against your soles. Grab each end of the band so that it is tight, when you’re sitting in an upright position. Pull your elbows back, keeping them close to your body and squeeeeeeze your back muscles. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
ROLL UP
No doubt, the Foam Roller does look goofy. But it’s a bona fide fitness device that’s long been used in Pilates, yoga and as a cheap spa massage alternative. Make it your go-to the next time you have a knot from the inevitable work hunch. Lie on a mat and wedge the cylindrical-shaped equipment where you feel the burn. Gently rock against it, allowing the roller to roll from side to side against spine to release the aches that keep you from standing just a bit taller. For even fancier moves, consider getting a Foam Roller Challenge DVD.
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