Workouts on the Go
By Joni Hyde
Whether
you're out of town for an important business trip or your annual family
vacation, there is no need to completely abandon your workout schedule.
Here is a no excuse exercise routine you can do anywhere without any exercise
equipment.
The Routine
First, warm up. Then perform one set of any three lower body exercises
that you choose from the list below. Then perform the upper body exercises
followed with the abdominal and back exercises. Finish off with another
stretch. Complete 2 to 4 circuits of this routine for a great workout
that you can take with you on the go.
Warm Up First
Loosen up your muscles and get the blood flowing to prevent injury. Either
jog in place, march in place, jump rope or do jumping jacks. Depending
on your fitness level, this part of your workout should last at least
5 minutes and up to 15 minutes for a real cardio burst.
Lower Body
Choose 3 of the following exercises for lower body.
- Kneeling In/Out Mule Kicks -- Kneel down onto knees and elbows
with both feet flexed (toes pulled in). Kick up and out with one leg,
squeezing the buttocks, extending leg straight out, keeping hips square
to the ground during the movement. Bend knee in and return to start.
20 each side.
- Lying Pelvis Push Up -- Lie on your back bent, feet flat on
the floor. Extend the right leg out, keeping legs parallel and knees
together. Press left heel into the ground as you lift the lower body
up. Slowly lower. 20 each side.
- Wall Squats -- Stand about 12 - 18" away from a wall. Squat
down, bending at the knees, lowering hips down no lower than knee level,
keeping knees behind the toes, back leaning against the wall. Hold the
squat for 10 seconds then stand up pressing through the heels. Relax
for 5 seconds. Repeat 6 times.
- Pliés -- Stand with feet far apart, toes pointed outward.
Hold onto a chair for balance. Bend your knees, lowering your hips toward
the floor, keeping buttocks tucked under, knees pressing back. Feel
a stretch in the inner thigh. Be sure that knees don't extend past your
toes. Straighten knees. 20 times.
- Chair Squats -- Sit down on the edge of a chair. Line up your
heels right under your knees, with feet shoulder width apart, toes pointing
straight ahead, arms raised straight up. Lift yourself up into a standing
position by pressing through the heels, while simultaneously pulling
down with arms. Sit back down, lifting arms and lowing torso as you
sit, tapping buttocks onto the chair. Keep chest up, weight through
the heels and knees behind the toes throughout the exercise. 20 times.
- Stationary Lunge -- Hold chair for balance. To find correct
leg positioning :(Kneel down, step right leg forward, right heel directly
above ankle, weight on the heel. Toes of left foot are pulled in. Then
stand up. Legs should be shoulder width apart, back heel up. Shoulders
back, chest up, abdominals tight.) Bend knees and lower hips to the
floor stopping before back knee hits the floor, keeping front knee above
ankle. Straighten knees without locking as you return to start. 20 each
side.
Upper Body
Choose either wall push-up or regular push-up and also do tricep dips
- Wall Push Ups -- Place hands flat on wall, just outside shoulder
width apart, at shoulder height. Stand at a distance so arms are fully
extended. Bend elbows until chest is a few inches from wall. Keep abdominals
tight, neck straight, back straight. Squeeze chest muscles as hand push
you back to start. 15 times
- Push Ups -- Down on hands and knees, hands flat, just outside
shoulder width and slightly forward, extend knees back as far as possible.
Keeping abdomen tight, neck in line with spine, bend elbows and lower
chest one fist distance from floor, aiming head right between hands,
then push up to start, keeping elbows soft at the top. 20 times.
- Seated Tricep Dips -- Sit on edge of chair with hands gripping
the edge. Extend legs in front, with knees bent, feet flat on the floor.
Extend your arms straight and move your buttocks up and off the chair.
Bend your elbows directly behind you, and lower hips toward the floor,
stopping before you feel any pressure in your shoulders. Keep buttocks
close to the chair. Keep shoulders low and back. Push up until elbows
are almost straight. 15 times
Abs & Back
- Crunches -- Lie on back with knees bent, heels close to body,
pelvis titled slightly up, back flat on floor. Place fingertips touching
back of head, or a towel behind head. Keeping elbows back, chin one
fist distance off chest, focusing eyes up on an angle. Tighten abdominals,
lift shoulder blades up and forward, and exhale contracting abdominals.
Lower back down not resting head on mat. 20 times.
- Superman -- Lie face down on floor, with legs straight and
arms extended overhead, palms down, face down. Exhale as you lift your
right arm and left leg simultaneously without arching your back. Hold
for 2 seconds. Lower and repeat on other side lifting left arm and right
leg simultaneously. 12 times alternating sides.
Stretch
Spend between 5 to 10 minutes stretching all the muscles of your body.
Slowly lengthen the muscles until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold the
position for 15 to 30 seconds. Release slowly. For
a complete stretch routine, visit Joni's website WorkoutsForWomen.com.
Joni Hyde is the mother of one child and a certified personal trainer
specializing in women's fitness with over 13 years experience. For a complete
home exercise routine under the guidance of a certified trainer, visit WorkoutsForWomen.com.
Joni can be contacted at joni@workoutsforwomen.com
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