Crunch time

Turn a tiny room into a major workout.

Written by Michelle Abraham

College makes you busy. Between classes, work, and parties, finding time in your schedule to walk to the gym, wait for a treadmill, figure out how to program it, and then actually work out could take forever. But even though your university might have an exercise facility, the gym isn't your only choice when it comes to fitting into your skinny jeans. Blast away the calories in your dorm room. Okay, so maybe not “blast”—but you can definitely get some work done despite a tiny space. You just have to know how.

The first key to dorm room fitness: squeeze it in at any (and every) moment. You don't have to carve 30 minutes out of your day—every bit helps. Clench your glutes while you type, walk in circles as you read, actually walk to your neighbor's room instead of texting her, and squat while you brush your teeth. Though that girl down the hall might think you're crazy, soon everyone will be joining in. Count at least 20 squats and you'll be ridding yourself of cellulite and plaque.

Take it to the next level, and grab a lifestyle magazine. It doesn't even have to be health or fitness oriented. Many mags have exercise sections with low-impact moves that don't require much space. Planks, sit-ups, and even old-school jumping jacks get you toned. These are the same moves folks pay a personal trainer to suggest, so save some dough and take this advice.

If you have extra cash, splurge on some fitness DVDs. Most are under $15 and take up little room. If you’re willing to invest in hand weights and a stability ball, get ready to make your muscles burn.

Grab your roomie (or wait `til she's gone for the night) and start with these three moves suggested by Drake assistant wellness director Johanna Determann:

Tricep Dips – works the back of your upper arms
Sit on the edge of a chair (not one that rocks or has wheels) and place your hands by your side with your fingers pointing forward. Lift yourself off the seat and take a step forward. Bend your elbows and dip down. Keep your elbows straight back. Do three sets of ten.

Standing Lunges – works the back of your legs
Stand with your feet together. Take a big step forward with your right leg. Lower yourself so that both front and back legs make a 90-degree angle. Make sure your right knee doesn’t go past your toes and keep your back straight. Proceed to lift and lower ten times. Switch to the left side for ten. Repeat two more times.

Wall Push-Ups – works your chest
Stand against a door with your feet shoulder width apart. Place your hands on the door at shoulder level. Proceed to do a push-up from this position. Elbows should point to the side. Do three sets of ten.

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Click for more images Crunch time Turn a tiny room into a major workout. Written by Michelle Abraham College makes you busy. Between classes, work, and parties, finding time in your schedule to walk to the gym, wait for a treadmill, figure out how to program it, and then actually work out could take forever. But even though your university might have an exercise facility, the gym isn't your only choice when it comes to fitting into your skinny jeans. Blast away the calories in your dorm room. Okay, so maybe not “blast”—but you can definitely get some work done despite a tiny space. You just have to know how. The first key to dorm room fitness: squeeze it in at any (and every) moment. You don't have to carve 30 minutes out of your day—every bit helps. Clench your glutes while you type, walk in circles as you read, actually walk to your neighbor's room instead of texting her, and squat while you brush your teeth. Though that girl down the hall might think you're crazy, soon everyone will be joining in. Count at least 20 squats and you'll be ridding yourself of cellulite and plaque. Take it to the next level, and grab a lifestyle magazine. It doesn't even have to be health or fitness oriented. Many mags have exercise sections with low-impact moves that don't require much space. Planks, sit-ups, and even old-school jumping jacks get you toned. These are the same moves folks pay a personal trainer to suggest, so save some dough and take this advice. If you have extra cash, splurge on some fitness DVDs. Most are under $15 and take up little room. If you’re willing to invest in hand weights and a stability ball, get ready to make your muscles burn. Grab your roomie (or wait `til she's gone for the night) and start with these three moves suggested by Drake assistant wellness director Johanna Determann: Tricep Dips – works the back of your upper arms Sit on the edge of a chair (not one that rocks or has wheels) and place your hands by your side with your fingers pointing forward. Lift yourself off the seat and take a step forward. Bend your elbows and dip down. Keep your elbows straight back. Do three sets of ten. Standing Lunges – works the back of your legs Stand with your feet together. Take a big step forward with your right leg. Lower yourself so that both front and back legs make a 90-degree angle. Make sure your right knee doesn’t go past your toes and keep your back straight. Proceed to lift and lower ten times. Switch to the left side for ten. Repeat two more times. Wall Push-Ups – works your chest Stand against a door with your feet shoulder width apart. Place your hands on the door at shoulder level. Proceed to do a push-up from this position. Elbows should point to the side. Do three sets of ten.
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