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Aerobic Cleaning Aerobic Cleaning From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-126

Figure A

Many of us have to psych ourselves up before we clean our floors. But not Steve Markovich, who probably has the cleanest floors in his neighborhood -- because they are part of his workout routine (figure A). When he's finished, there isn't a speck of dirt left and not a muscle untouched. He was formerly involved recreationally in boxing and kickboxing, but the birth of his children meant he had no time for these activities, so he incorporated fitness techniques into his daily cleaning regimen.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• Cleaning floors works both the abdominal and the oblique muscles. Kneepads (figure B) are part of the workout and keep the knees protected.

• Markovich's routines have both beginning and advanced techniques. Beginners should start out simply building up flexibility and strength before moving on to heavier cleaning techniques.

• Making a floor-cleaning solution of 1 tablespoon borax to a bucket of warm water (figure C).

• Dip a cloth in the cleaning solution and wring out. Working from the knees, move forward from the hips, balancing with one hand and cleaning with the other (figure D). This technique works both the shoulders and the abdomen.

• To work the obliques, the muscles on both sides of the abdomen, use both hands to slide the cleaning cloth forward; hold the position, then slide your hands back to your knees (figure E).

• Markovich's workout, along with his children's activities, requires cleaning the floors at least once a week. Each time the cleaning / workout process takes about 45 minutes.

• To increase the intensity of the floor workout, about every 10 feet Markovich adds a few pushups into his workout.
  

Tip: An average person weighing between 100 and 150 pounds can burn about 100 calories in 25 to 35 minutes when mopping or vacuuming floors.

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