A new study has revealed the most efficient, effective workout move, and you don’t need equipment or a spendy gym membership to do it…
If you dodge the weights area or perhaps don’t get the most out of your monthly gym membership (ahem), we’ve got good news for you. A study of 80,000 people across the UK by researchers at the University of Sydney has shown that working out at home for a total of 50 minutes a week is equal to 60 minutes of weight bearing activity in the gym, with the humble press-up coming out top for the healthiest fitness move out there, over and above exercises employing techy machines and equipment.
The research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that those exercising at home twice a week for 25 minutes at a time had a 31 per cent reduced risk of dying from cancer related disease, and a 23 per cent lowered risk of dying prematurely from any causes, the same as gym goers who worked out twice a week for a total of 60 minutes. It’s thought that the press-up is so powerful as it’s a full-body exercise that uses your own bodyweight as resistance, testing the arms, core and legs. Basically, there’s a reason it’s so damn hard and employed by drill sergeants as brutal punishment, but on the upside, it’s free, supremely good for you and you can always modify by performing a press-up on your knees as you work up to the real deal. Don’t worry if you’re struggling to complete just one- the efficiency of the exercise should mean that you build up strength quite quickly. If you’re looking to max out your home workout routine, press-ups included (15 in total- apparently around the minimum that women up to the age of 39 should be competing in a session. Gulp), follow personal trainer Steve Mellor’s top to toe home exercise plan.
Crave further home fitness inspo? Here’s 8 things to learn from Joe Wicks’ The Body Coach plan (key takeaway- fitness can be fast, and done from your front room)
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