These 5 household chores are as good as doing a full-blown cardio workout

If you are tired of doing the same old workout looking at your laptop screen, it’s time to turn your attention to these household chores that your body and your mummy will thank you for doing.
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You must pre-wash the blood stains before putting your period panty in the washing machine. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.
Published by Nikita Bhardwaj
Updated On: 22 Apr 2020, 03:07 pm IST
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Have you ever been scolded by your mum for not making your bed or cleaning your room? Of course, you must have. But thanks to this lockdown not just you but even our celebs are devoting time to household chores. Because what are our options right?  

The most amazing thing about all of this is that people are happily posting their pictures and videos while they are busy brooming, mopping, or cleaning ceiling fans. Who would have thought right? And apparently, all this is going viral on social media.

In fact, many people-including celebs like Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif-are even swearing by the workout prowess of household chores. Hey, don’t be surprised! There is a logic behind this. Any and all physical activities require energy, which your body gets by burning calories. Hence, the more you move, the more calories you’ll burn. 

You’ll be surprised to know that household chores help you burn more calories than you think. Plus, flexibility, stability, and strength are also up for grabs. That’s why we have these five household chores that you must do to burn those calories:

1. Mopping
Ladies, never underestimate the power of mopping and no–we aren’t talking about those fancy standing mops. For better results do it the old-school way with a rag and a squat-crawl movement.

toned butt
Hold that squat to get a toned boot-ay! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

It’s a great workout for your legs as well as for your core. Plus, it will keep your arms in motion. That said, please these few things in mind: keep your core tight while mopping. Moreover, do a full squat instead of a half one to avoid soreness.

2. Gardening
It’s not just therapeutic but a good way to burn those calories. Yeah there are many studies that say gardening as a hobby can boost your mood and relieve stress. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Health Physiology has ratified it too.

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But here’s the thing: when you’re moving things about in your garden, squatting and pulling out weeds, or lifting pots-you’re engaging multiple muscle groups. Gardening offers a unique chance for you to incorporate squats in your daily life. And we know just how beneficial they are.

3. Kneading dough
If you don’t have dumb-bells at home, doing arm exercises can be tricky. But worry not and head straight to the kitchen. No we aren’t kidding, but we are advising you to knead some dough because it engages muscles in the forearms and biceps.

4. Wash your car
Did you know that washing a car is a full-blown cardio workout and it can offer great results for your arms. In fact, if you give it your best, you can burn around 234 calories in just one hour by washing a car.

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Car washing is a good way to keep your arms in shape. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Wash your clothes-by hand
Doing laundry is a full-body workout because you end up lifting water buckets, moving your arms to get the grime out of your clothes, wringing the water out, and then drying them. A lot of movement happens here and the energy that’s required to do this household chore is immense. In fact, you might even end up burning around 116 calories in an hour if you opt for this household chore.

So, even if you have skipped your exercise routine today, don’t fret. Just make these household chores a part of your life and sort your cardio JLT!

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About The Author
Nikita Bhardwaj
Nikita Bhardwaj

Six-pack abs are all that Nikita needs, along with her daily dose of green tea. At Health Shots, she produces videos, podcasts, stories, and other kick-ass content.

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