I hope everyone had a super weekend. Mine was great – a good mix of getting things done and relaxing. Friday night was pretty low key – I wanted some TV on the couch. Saturday morning I headed out to the farmer’s market to pick up some yummy stuff (curry, veggies, and half a dozen bagels for the week). The rest of the day was spent doing homework and getting some things done around the house. Sunday morning I meal prepped some lunches for the week (chicken, veggies, and sweet potato slices). I then headed out to do some volunteering. It was my first time going so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I had a ton of fun and I’m looking forward to going back next week. I then went over to my boyfriend’s place. We watched some hockey on TV and then made dinner. We were winging the recipe but it ended up turning out delicious.
Now on to today’s workout!
This 24 minute workout is short but hits the entire body. It includes, upper body, lower body, core, and cardio moves. Perform each move in order for 30 seconds before moving onto the next exercise. Once you’ve completed the high knees at the end repeat the entire thing a total of 4 times for a total of 24 minutes. As always, rest as needed throughout to ensure that your form stays good. The details for each exercise are below.
Tricep dips // Using a chair or bench, place hands on the edge with fingers pointing towards the back while stepping out your feet so that they’re hip width apart and your hips are above the floor. Slowly bend at the elbows to lower yourself and then use your triceps to move yourself back up to the starting position. Your knees can be bent (easier) or left straight (harder).
Step ups // Find something that when you put your foot on it, your knee is at a 90 degree angle. This could be a chair or bench. Step up with your left foot, and pushing off that heel step your right foot off the floor and onto the bench. Immediately step back down with your left foot, followed by your right foot.
Crunches // Similar to alternating lunges, instead of stepping straight back with your left leg, you place your left foot behind you and to the right, so that it crosses behind you and return to standing. Repeat with your right foot stepping back and to the left.
Mountain climbers // Start in a plank position. Jump one foot up as close to the hips as possible while bending at the knee and hip. Then jump that foot back while bringing the other foot up. An easier modification is to use a chair to put your hands on.
Bicep curls // Start with the feet hip width apart, and back in a neutral position. With a dumbbell in each hand, keep your elbows in close to your side and raise the dumbbell upwards. Movement should be at the elbow, not the wrist. Lower the dumbbell with a controlled movement, not allowing gravity to take over.
Squats // With feet hip width apart and hands in front of you to help with balance, use the glutes to lower your hips back and down while bending at the knees and ankles. Once you’ve reached the lowest position you can without leaning forward too much or letting the knees collapse in, return to a standing position, using your glutes to propel yourself.
Plank // The plank is very similar to the starting position of a pushup. Your hands are slightly wider than shoulder width, and your body is a straight line from your head, through your shoulders, hips, and knees, to your heels. Just like with the pushup, if you need an easier modification, use your knees instead of your toes.
Jumping jacks // Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Jump both feet apart from each other while raising your hands above your head with straight arms. Jump your feet back together and lower your arms to the starting position.
Push ups // Starting on your toes and hands, make sure your body is a straight line from your heels to your knees, hips, shoulders, and neck. Your hands should be a bit wider than your shoulders. Slowly bend at the elbows, lowering yourself to the ground. Try to get at low as possible, and then push yourself back up, all the while maintaining that straight line. An easier modification is instead of being on your toes, lower to your knees.
Lunges // Stand with feet hip width apart. Step forward with one foot so that the forward leg’s thigh is parallel to the ground, and the back leg’s shin is parallel to the ground. The back knee shouldn’t touch the floor. Use your quads and glutes to step the front foot back towards your back foot and end by standing straight up with feet hip width apart again. For the second lunge step forward with the other foot. Continue alternating legs for the entire 60 seconds.
Bicycle crunches // Lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. With your hands behind your head and elbows out to the side, bring your feet off the floor so that your shins are parallel to the floor and your knees are bent at a 90 degree angle. Bring your shoulder blades off the floor and alternate bringing your left elbow towards your right knee, and your right elbow towards your left knee. Your feet should look like they’re pedaling a bike.
High knees // Starting in a standing position, quickly bring your left knee up in front of you as high as you can. Step back down and repeat with your right leg. Repeat.
As always, remember to check with your doctor before beginning to workout. Honor your body and modify as needed.
Do anything exciting over the weekend? What’s your favorite kind of workout?