The housework fitness regime: Secrets of a Greek noikokyra

Washing, drying, ironing, pushing the stroller can take on a different meaning now that the gyms are shut and people are self-isolating.

Best of all, not only will domestic duties make the house look nicer, they also give a great workout if ironing is combined with squats and vacuum cleaners are used for an arm pump challenge.

Tips for house workouts

Music

Bluetooth ear phones can add more humph and energy to the housework. Pump it up for some power window cleaning without family noises to distract. Check out spotifies Housework hits or create your own domestic soundtrack for a good workout.

Cook

Knead the dough, manually beat the eggs, lift the old cookbooks and get added nutritional value to boot! View the empty pasta shelves as an opportunity for a change of lifestyle and fitness regime.

Renovate

Forget tradies. Click and collect the material and paint your own house and do some heavy duty lifting. Be brave! You can always correct ‘mistakes’ when the coronavirus crisis is over.

Gardening

Dig or turn compost to burn as many as 400 calories an hour and work major muscle groups. Don’t have a garden? Maybe it’s time to put some hanging plants up.

Forget equipment

Hand-wash the dishes, use your muscle power for those windows, stretch rather than use a stool or ladder and before you know it the stay-at-home blues will shed just like the kilos.

Democratise

In the past, it was just the women doing the duties. Take the boredom out of housework by getting the entire family involved. After all, the physical benefits should be shared equally.