Believe it or not, it is possible to stay active and watch your favorite shows at the same time. There are plenty of ways to stay active with the help of tech, you just have to think outside the TV box!
1. Stretch During Commercial Breaks
Regular TV commercials are usually only a few seconds long, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the time. A mobile app such as Stretch Exercise features stretching exercises for warming up, cooling down, pain relief, and more. So, use those pesky commercials to do a quick warm-up before you really start sweating.
If you’re a YouTube fan but don’t have YouTube Premium, chances are you have to deal with constant and oftentimes annoying ad breaks. However, you can use the frequent ads to your advantage! Some of the ads are pretty long in duration, so you might even be able to complete one of the Stretch Exercise app’s compressed workout sessions before your video resumes.
These speedy workouts are as short as two minutes and cover a range of muscle groups. Overall, the Stretch Exercise app is effortless to use, easy to customize to your liking, and you can even create your own custom training plan.
Download: Stretch Exercise for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Use Picture-in-Picture to Multitask
Picture-in-picture (PiP) is exactly what it sounds like. In basic terms, it is a multi-window feature that allows you to watch a video on your iOS or Android device (or Apple TV) while you’re doing something else simultaneously. And because watching TV and staying active is essentially multitasking, picture-in-picture is the perfect tool to use.
It’s pretty painless to use PiP. For instance, if you’re using YouTube and you go back to your home screen, the app will automatically switch to PiP mode on compatible devices. From there, you can pause and skip videos, drag the window around, or even jump back to the app.
Fortunately, most video streaming apps—including Apple TV+ and Netflix—offer PiP. Now that you know how easy it is to use, you can binge-watch your favorite shows and get a workout session in at the same time on the same device.
3. Upgrade to a Smart Fitness Device With a Screen
Whether you want an indoor exercise bike, elliptical, or a good old treadmill, these cardio machines are pretty big, and they can take up a lot of room. So unless you have tons of space in your living room in front of the TV, watching TV while you exercise isn’t always feasible. Luckily, fitness devices with built-in screens are becoming commonplace.
If you’d prefer to invest in a treadmill with a screen, there is a great selection to choose from. Although you should be warned—they can be quite pricey. Bowflex Treadmills are fantastic options, as they allow you to watch your favorite streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
Besides the treadmills, Bowflex exercise bikes and Bowflex elliptical machines also feature screens with built-in streaming entertainment.
4. Swap Out the Sofa for an Exercise Ball
As much as you’d probably love to lounge around all day and watch TV, doing so can have a negative effect on your health. However, you can get the best of both worlds. All you have to do is swap out the sofa for a stability ball, and you won’t miss an episode again. Stability Ball Workouts is an excellent app for couch potatoes.
It is a simple-to-navigate app that does not include too many unnecessary workout options. Simply pick between the exercise ball workouts that are available, whether you want to target your full body, core, shoulders and back, or upper body.
Note that two categories—Lower Body and Stretch and Relief—are inaccessible if you don’t sign up for the premium subscription. On the other hand, you can merely sit on your exercise ball while you watch TV. Even doing that can positively benefit your core strength and posture.
Download: Stability Ball Workouts for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
5. Do Household Chores While You Binge Watch
If you’re always busy with housework, this one’s for you. Did you know that you can get all your chores done, watch your favorite show, and burn calories at the same time? Essentially, it’s like killing three birds with one stone!
Perhaps vacuuming isn’t the best option to do while watching TV due to the noise. But other humdrum chores like sweeping and mopping, doing the laundry, and general tidying are easy to tick off your to-do list while you catch up on your favorite Netflix series.
To ensure you stay on top of all your housework, it’s best to use a cleaning tool like the Tody app. This mobile app allows you to manage and organize all your tasks according to the rooms in your home. The visual indicators then show which tasks are due and which are still to come. Moreover, the Tody app turns cleaning into a game by setting you up against a character named Dusty to see who can collect the most cleaning points.
Download: Tody for iOS ($6.99) | Android (Free, subscription available)
6. Keep Moving While You Sit With a Seated Exercise Machine
For some, using a cardio machine or an exercise ball is just not possible. Therefore, a seated exercise machine like Cubii is a good option to try. This device is great for helping seniors stay fit and healthy or for use as a beginner workout for anyone starting a weight loss journey.
But how does Cubii work? Cubii is a seated elliptical trainer that you pedal with your feet while you sit. In addition to being great to use at a desk, Cubii can also be used from a sofa. It is compact and lightweight enough to fit comfortably into your living room, even if you don’t have much space.
The Cubii machine connects to the Cubii app so that you can track your workout progress, set goals, and even compete with other Cubii users. In addition, there are a couple of different models of the Cubii machine, all of which let you connect fitness accessories if you want to upgrade your workout.
It’s Simple to Stay Physically Active During Your TV Time
There’s nothing wrong with embracing your inner couch potato from time to time. Yet making it a regular affair is not good for your health. You’ll be delighted to know that you can still watch all the latest Netflix series and blockbuster films while simultaneously staying active.
From making use of commercial breaks and household chores to smart cardio exercise machines, these are some of the best ways to stay active without turning off the TV.
