Bodyweight exercises to do at home

Whipping yourself into shape requires you to eat right and do a combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training. But you don't always have time to get to the gym in order to use the weight training equipment. The good news is, using your own bodyweight, you can take your workout virtually anywhere. If you're at home, all you need is your living room floor for a great workout that will help you shed the pounds fast, boost your immune system and promote anti-aging. Here are some bodyweight exercises you can do anywhere:

Tuck jumps: Stand with your knees slightly bent and jump up in the air as high as you can while lifting your knees toward your chest. Arms should be extended straight out. Be sure to land with your knees slightly bent. Not only is this a great cardio exercise, but the act of bringing your knees toward your chest works those abs!

Plyometric pushup: Get into traditional pushup position on a well-padded surface. Hands should be directly below the shoulders with no arch in the back. Lower down to the ground, then push up hard enough to come off the floor for a second. Once your hands touch the ground again, go immediately into the next repetition. For an extra challenge, see if you can clap your hands while you're in the air!

Plank: This exercise is really great for your lower abs. Get into a pushup position with forearms, rather than your hands, on the floor. Then, keeping your back straight and core tight, hold the position for about 30 to 60 seconds.

Bodyweight lunge: Starting with your feet together, step one leg forward and slowly lower the body until your front knee is bent at about 90 degrees. Be sure not to let the knee go past the toe. Then push yourself back up to starting position as quickly as you can. After you're done with repetitions for that leg, switch to the other.

Mountain climber: Start on your hands and knees in the pushup position. Then bring your left foot forward directly under the chest while straightening the right leg. Keep your hands on the ground and switch legs quickly, as if you're climbing a mountain. You should feel it in your core and your legs.

Burpees: Get yourself into a squatting position with your hands on the floor. Next, kick both of your feet back at the same time, jumping into a pushup position. Complete one pushup then return to the squatted position as fast as you can. Repeat this exercise for multiple repetitions.