We all know that cardio is a great way to scorch calories, but doing strength moves (like lunges, step-ups or squats) that engage your larger muscle groups can also get your heart pumping while giving your muscles a varied workout. Today, I have three exercises that engage the upper body muscles while your lower body is performing some variation of a squat—be it the traditional version, a plie or with a tiptoe raise.
Grab a fairly light set of dumbbells, a little free space and get ready for a total-body workout!
If you only have time for cardio or weights, which do you choose and why?
Who doesn’t desire a tighter back side—especially around swimsuit season? Today I have three moves that are spin-offs of the basic squat, which is a surefire tush toner.
The first exercise incorporates balance while dynamically stretching and is a great warm-up move before any cardio or strength routine. And the following two offer additional sculpting powers due to time-saving compound movements (expect to feel it in your triceps, shoulders and outer thighs)! Grab just one medium-weight dumbbell or a medicine ball and a bit of open space, and get ready to boost your buns :)
Do you prefer to focus on one muscle group at once or work several simultaneously?
To tighten you tush, squats pretty much can’t be beat. But after a few months of banging out straight reps (act like you are going to sit in an invisible chair, pop back up to standing), this can get quite boring and your body will soon adapt. That’s why these lower body exercises that require you to move while in a squatting position are fabulous!
The office talk in the video is appropriate for this workout today, as I was feeling awful antsy sitting at my desk at my first day on the job today! I’m not quite well-acquainted enough to whip out my workout moves in the middle of the office, but maybe later in the semester I can have my officemates join me! (I did squeeze in a lunch and to/from train power walk ;) )
I digress…All you need for this workout is about a 6 ft. by 6 ft. area of open space and a good attitude! Remember to keep your knees straight above your toes when performing lunges and keep your core braced throughout these moves.
My sisters used to tease me about having a concave behind—but not anymore after doing these moves for quite some time! :D Do you have any favorite glute tighteners?
