How to Work Out While You're Getting Ready for Work

Two birds. One stone. Done.

Door, Liver, Hair coloring, Teal, Long hair, Home door, Beauty salon, Artificial hair integrations, Service, Fur,
(Image credit: Paramount)

Multitasking is supposedly not the best for, well, getting anything done, but how else is a girl supposed to squeeze in three square meals—much less 30 minutes of physical activity—every day? Luckily, the three fitness experts we consulted not only understand our pat-your-head-rub-your-tummy lifestyles, but they also gave us some truly genius moves to incorporate into our morning getting-ready routines. No waking up at 6 a.m. to work out here.

Step-ups and squats while you brush your teeth

"Alternate doing squats one day and step-ups the next—they're two of the most effective exercises to work your butt and legs. For squats, put the toilet seat down and sit upright with your feet shoulder-width apart flat on the floor. Stand up tall pushing from your heels, and sit back down as many times as you can while you brush your teeth. For step-ups, put the toilet seat down and step up and down 10 times each with your left and right legs. Not all toilet seats are meant for doing this one, so be careful!"—Brooke Marrone, president and founder of Brooke Marrone training studio

Twists while your tea brews

"If you engage your core in the morning, you're more likely to use it all day long, giving you a tall, confident stance as you conquer your day. Pick two of your favorite songs—the heavier the beat, the better. Grab a pair of Ripstix, something you can strike together, or use your hands. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you and sit back so your body looks like a letter "C." Twist from side to side, striking the ground on either side of your hips. Go faster and slower to match the beat."—Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom, fitness experts and the creators of POUND

Balance while you blow-dry

"Stand on one leg for half the time of your blow-dry, and switch legs for the second half. If you want to take this a step further, invest in a small balance disk. Both of these options are great for promoting core stability, supporting and challenging the spinal muscles, and enhancing good posture. Your standing leg gets a pretty good workout too."—Brooke Marrone

Early morning work call? Work your quads at the same time

"Stand about 2 feet in front of a wall and lean against it. Slide down until your knees are at 90-degree angles. Keep your shoulders and head back, make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart, and keep your weight in your heels. Place a small hand towel behind your head and make sure it doesn't fall while you're holding your squat. (It's a great way to maintain good posture throughout the exercise.) Hold for one minute, take a brief rest, and repeat as many times as you can."—Brooke Marrone

Tighter inner thighs while you floss

"Place a small, inflatable ball between your knees. (If you don't have a ball, you can roll up a bath towel.) Slowly squeeze your knees, contracting your inner thighs. Release just slightly, keeping some tension on the ball or towel, and repeat, getting in as many squeezes as you can."—Brooke Marrone

You should also check out:

Your Daily Guide to Getting in Shape This January

Tone Your Abs, Arms & Ass With This 15-Minute Workout

10 Simple, No-Equipment-Necessary Exercises for Strong, Sculpted Arms

Chelsea Peng
Assistant Editor

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.