Cleaning Louth & Meath-Shape up while you clean up

• Put on some fast music -- rock and roll, salsa, whatever you like. This helps you pick up speed, Findley says. A bathroom should only take 20 minutes to clean, she says. So get moving!
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• Whenever you're doing chores, tighten your abs. This prevents you from slouching.
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• Stretch extra-high to knock down those cobwebs or prune that limb. You should feel it along your side.
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• Strive for large up-and-down movements. When cleaning a shower door, for example, make big circles. "I am a trainer and I feel like my arm is about to fall off!" exclaims Mandel.
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• Carry heavy baskets of laundry or supplies up from the basement, if your conditioning allows.
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• Climb on a stepladder every chance you get. "What's the difference between this and a step class?" Mandel asks.
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• Scrub floors on your hands and knees. And get on your hands and knees to pull out all that dust and clutter hiding under the bed.
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• Do lunges while vacuuming (keep toes pointed straight ahead, and don't bend your knees further than 90 degrees). You'll feel it in your thighs.
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• When putting away dishes, face forward and twist to reach the cabinets.
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• In the garden, lunge toward weeds. "Some of them have roots 5 feet long," Mandel says. "Those'll give you a workout!"Pruning requires forearm strength (and helps develop it). It also requires reaching on your toes -- like a calf raise, Mandel says. So volunteer for this chore, and don't be afraid of thicker or higher branches.
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• Pouring mulch or fertilizer from a heavy bag requires a squat. Remember to use your legs, not your back.
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• Wielding a weed-eater is like fencing, almost. Pull in those abs and pay attention to your form.
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• If you have area rugs, beat them using a clean broom rather than vacuuming. This means more steps to get outside and more exercise for your arm muscles.