I Hate Chores, but Doing These Easy Leg Exercises Make Them a Little Less Boring

Not that anyone actually loves doing chores, but I can 100 percent without a doubt say I hate them. I don't care if there's a sink full of dirty dishes or that my floor hasn't been vacuumed since the last flip of the calendar, if I have a chore list, I will procrastinate to no end. In my attempt to make my distaste for chore time a little less apparent and disruptive to my daily life, I devised a plan: I'd make chores a part of my fitness routine. Hear me out.

I'd tack on a little chore to the end of my workout since I was already decked out in work-ready trainers like UA HOVR™ Rise Training Shoes ($100) and felt ready to move. What's more, I'd actually incorporate small workouts into my tasks to make them a little less dull and make completing them necessary for finishing a workout session. To help me in this crazy plan, I asked NASM-certified and LA-based personal trainer Danny Saltos for some fun exercises to sprinkle in throughout my to-do list. Although he wasn't able to make my dirty dishes go away, he was able to share with me three leg exercises that I can try at my apartment during any number of everyday chores.

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When to try it: At the kitchen sink washing dishes or prepping lunch

What it works: The inner thighs and glutes

How to do it: Start by standing tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a big step to the right side, and bend the right knee until you reach a 90-degree bend, using the counter for support if needed. Keep the left leg straight and your torso nice and tall throughout the movement. Return to standing, and repeat for 10-15 reps per leg for a total of three sets.

When to try it: While sweeping the floors

What it works: Quads, glutes, and hamstrings

How to do it: Start by standing tall with your hands at your hips. Take a big step back with your right leg, and lower your hips, so that your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Make sure your left knee stays behind your left big toe and your right knee is bent and hovering an inch or two off the ground. Return to standing position and repeat. Hold the broom through the movement for an added challenge. Aim for 12 to 20 reps per leg for three sets.

When to try it: While doing laundry or folding clothes

What it works: Quads, glutes, and hamstrings

How to do it: Start with your feet shoulder-width apart. Perform a regular squat, and from the lowest position, explode to jump into the air with both hands up toward the ceiling. Complete 10 reps for three sets.