By Lisa Snow, personal trainer

exercises you can do with no equipment other than a standard park bench.

Here are a couple of examples:

*Squats:* sit and stand up from the bench.  For more of a challenge, walk

farther forward, so your butt just barely touches the bench with each

squat.  Many people with knee pain who feel they shouldn’t squat or think

they are unable to squat are pleasantly surprised that they *can* squat

with the help of the bench.  If you’ve had an injury, definitely check with

your doctor and PT about the safest kind of squats for you (if any).

Contact Lisa today!

*Pushups:* placing your hands on the bench and your feet on the ground,

lower your chest to the bench and lift back up.  Bringing an old towel to

put under your hands can make this much more comfortable.  Think you can’t

do pushups?  You’ll be amazed how much more doable they are with a bench.

*Split squats:* stand facing away from the bench.  Put your back foot up on

the bench with your toes curled under.  Lower into a lunge, and stand back

up.  Continue lifting and lowering without moving either foot.  Be sure to

do both sides.  If one side feels weaker, remember to always start with the

more challenging side.