Be honest — how many times have you thought, “I just don’t have time to exercise”? Between kids, work shifts, and an endless to-do list, carving out an hour at the gym feels impossible. But what if I told you you can probably be working out every single day — without even realizing it? Yep, your housework counts.
If you’re into Basic Training, Richard recommends Housework Works. With it, you don’t need any fancy equipment or a set workout plan—you just have to make them intentional. “Isn’t it the best?”
Imagine turning vacuuming into walking lunges, or doing calf raises while washing dishes. Suddenly, your chores aren’t just chores — they’re mini fitness sessions disguised as cleaning.
Not only does your house get cleaner, but your body gets stronger too. A win-win situation. There isn’t even a hint of guilt or an excuse over not finding time for a gym session. Just simple tweaks to what you’re already doing:
Turn Your Daily Chores Into Cardio
Kitchen Cleanup = Full Body Blast
- Washing dishes: Rise up on your toes for calf raises between plates. Hold for 3 seconds each time.
- Loading the dishwasher: Perfect squat practice! Bend with your knees, not your back, and hold that squat position for an extra beat.
- Wiping counters: Add some core! Engage your abs and make those circular motions bigger to work your shoulders and obliques.
Laundry Day = Strength Training
- Carrying baskets: Hold that basket at chest level and do walking lunges down the hallway. Your glutes will thank you.
- Folding clothes: Sit on the floor and fold in a butterfly position to open up those hips.
- Hanging clothes: Every reach becomes a mini shoulder stretch. Alternate arms and really stretch up high.
Bathroom Cleaning = Circuit Training
- Scrubbing the tub: Those circular motions are working your arms, shoulders, and core. Switch hands halfway through.
- Toilet cleaning: Perfect wall sit opportunity!
- Mopping: Think of it as dancing with purpose. Put on music and let those hips move while you work.
The Mental Health Bonus
Beyond the physical benefits, there’s something deeply satisfying about crossing items off your to-do list while also taking care of your body. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, except both birds are actually good for you.
Plus, when you frame housework as self-care instead of just another obligation, it shifts your entire mindset. You’re not “stuck doing chores” — you’re “choosing to care for your space and your body.”
Richard Uzelac’s Tricks into Reframing Your Housework to “Fitness” Work
Think of It as a Form of Self-Care
Viewing activities like exercise not as a chore or obligation but as “me time” transforms the experience. The mental shift—from duty to personal investment—makes the habit more enjoyable and sustainable.
Forced Momentum & Habit Are Key
Motivation is unreliable; discipline is strengthened through forced momentum and routine. Action comes first, feelings follow. Waiting for inspiration is often waiting in vain.
Time Management & Prioritization:
Reassessing how you spend your time can reveal hidden opportunities. Social media, TV, and other low-value activities often consume hours. By replacing them with focused actions like gym sessions, you can prioritize personal growth without “sacrificing” meaningful life events.
Morning Energy Advantage
Exercising in the morning can boost energy and mood for the rest of the Day, creating a ripple effect of productivity and mental clarity.
Honesty With Yourself
Many excuses (“too busy,” “too tired”) are often rationalizations for avoiding effort. Self-honesty allows you to cut through them and reclaim control over your schedule and habits.
Small Adjustments, Big Impact
Minor tweaks—cutting lunch short, skipping a TV episode, waking earlier—compound into consistent habit formation. Progress doesn’t require drastic life changes, just intentional daily choices. Don’t try to turn every single chore into a full workout overnight. Pick one or two activities this week and focus on making them more intentional. Maybe it’s doing squats while waiting for the microwave, or taking the stairs two at a time when going to get laundry.
The beauty of this approach is that there’s no pressure, no membership fees, and no commute time. Your home is your gym, your chores are your routine, and your daily life just got a whole lot healthier.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to completely overhaul your life to get more movement in. Sometimes the best fitness routine is the one that’s already happening — you just need to recognize it, embrace it, and maybe add a little extra oomph to what you’re already doing.
So the next time someone asks if you worked out today, you can confidently say yes because you did. You might have called it “cleaning the house,” but your muscles know the truth.