The Couch Potato Workout

Too exhausted or busy to squeeze in the gym? Ditch your DVR and try these six simple moves between commercial breaks.

Every hour-long TV show has about six commercial breaks that last 3 minutes each, so you can get a decent total body workout while you watch—no gym necessary.

This workout is great for beginners, but it’s also good for exercisers of every level, since extra bouts of activity throughout the day help to keep your metabolism revved, says Prevention’s fitness advisor Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D., of Quincy, Mass.

Do 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise, followed by the aerobic component, until the show starts.