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The No-Wait Workout

Trisha  | Posted on Apr 24 2007 9:37 AM | Comments on 0 comments

The No-Wait Workout

Provided by: Women's Health

It's hard to be patient, especially when you're trying to drop a few pounds or tone those spots typically hidden under layers of winter woolies. This 3-week circuit from trainer Tom Holland focuses on maximum intensity in short blocks of time. Since all of the exercises work several muscles at once, you'll burn extra calories while you're toning your whole body. Even better, the moves really challenge your muscles because you'll be using different movement patterns than usual. The reason? Whenever you try new exercises, your body has to work harder. And that will produce better results faster.

The Workout
These exercises are done as a circuit, which means you'll keep moving the whole time—about 10 minutes through each circuit. Choose four exercises from the group and mix them up so that you'll do at least one different exercise each workout (and use the around-the-world kick between every exercise to work your legs and keep your heart rate up). The idea is to keep your muscles guessing so your body is constantly challenged.

Around-the-World Kick
total legs
Stand and clasp your hands, holding them in front of your body several inches under your chin. Next, kick forward with your left leg, then to the side, then to the back, and then repeat the sequence with your right leg. Keep kicking and alternating legs for 1 minute without stopping. Do these between each exercise.



Dumbbell Dip with One-Legged Crunch
triceps and abs
Sit on the floor with your legs extended, holding dumbbells by your hips. Bridge your body up off the floor into a straight line. Next, bend your elbows, lowering yourself into a triceps dip while you pull your left knee toward your chest. Return to start, then repeat with your right leg. Do 14 alternating reps.



Stability Ball Hamstring Curl
hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and abs
Lie on the floor with your arms at your sides and place your heels on the ball. Press up, so that your hips are in the air and your torso forms a straight line. Next, pull the ball toward you, squeezing your hamstrings, and then roll it back out without dropping your hips. Repeat for 10 reps. Make it harder by doing one leg at a time.



Stability Ball Ab Pull
Abs and upper body
Get into pushup position and place your toes on the ball, keeping it behind you. With your abs tight, pull the ball in toward your chest and then roll it back out. Use your abs to control the motion. Do 10 reps. Make it harder by doing a pushup between each pull or rolling the ball with one leg at a time.



Lateral Lunge and Curl
glutes, hams, quads, thighs, and biceps
Grab a pair of 5- to 10-pound dumbbells and step your left foot about 3 feet to the side. Sink your weight over your left leg while keeping your left knee behind your toes and simultaneously perform a biceps curl (your right leg should fan out to the side). Return to start, and repeat on the right. Continue alternating legs for 12 reps.

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