3 Quick Exercises at the Kitchen Sink for Busy Moms

Reader's question: I'm a busy mom and have only about 15 minutes in the morning to workout. What can I do? Any tips?

Don't give up on exercise due to lack of time or motivatoin. There are many quick exercises that you can do throughout the day to boost your metabolism, increase your energy and burn more calories.

Whether you're a mom or dad, 9-to-5 working prorfessional, or corporate executive, people are getting busier than ever. It's seem daunting at times to pencil in your workout time in the midst of a busy job, family responsibilities and personal obligations. Fortunately there are ways to squeeze in quick exercises for 15 minutes in the morning.

Try these 3 exercises with the kitchen sink to jump-start your morning mojo while brewing coffee.

Kitcken Sink Squat
Do squats while holding onto kitchen sink with your hands. Most people do squats in the wrong way and tend to bend too much on the knees. It places excess stress on the knee joints instead of working on the leg muscles (quadriceps). By holding onto the kitcken sink, you're able to squat down deeper in correct postion and really work your legs and buttocks.

You'll work on your legs, buttocks and core.

Kitchen Sink Pushup
Face the kitchn sink and lean onto the edge of kitchen sink. Do your pushups. It's easier for women to do incline pushup with their partial bodyweight. If you're stronger, do the full pushup on the kitchen floor.

You'll work your chest, triceps (remember the jiggly, flabby arms), and front sides of your shoulder muscles.

Kitcken Sink Airplane Kickback
Standing sideway next to the kitchen sink. Spread out your arms like an airplane. Have one hand hold onto the kitchen sink. Lift one foot off from the floor and stand on the other foot. Bend forward while keeping backleg straight. You will look like a capital letter "T" from sideway. Then do a backkick. Return to one-leg standing position. Do 10 times and switch side.

Your'll work your core, glutes and hanstrings.

Simply do 10 repetitions for each exercise then repeat. Hopefully by the end of 3 sets of exercises, your coffee is ready.


Carey Yang is a certified personal trainer and fitness expert in Morris County, NJ. He writes for Patch in the areas of health, fitness, weight loss, lifestyle and motivation. Send your burning questions for "Ask the Trainer" Q&A.