Showing posts with label exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercises. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 December 2013

Bodyweight Interval Training

What I love about interval trainings is that it can never be too easy. Why? Because you have to go as fast as you can. So the stronger you become, the more reps you do. You get it? Now go get ripped with this 50:10 protocol bodyweight workout and nothing more !




4x Exercises 4x Rounds 50:10

The workout consists of only 4 exercises. Each exercise goes for 50 seconds followed by 10 seconds rest (the 50:10 protocol. We've done that before!) .You've got to go as fast as possible in these 50 seconds, kicking your heart rate go up. Make sure you breath a lot during the exercise and the 10 seconds of rest to get enough oxygen to your muscles. This is  very important when you are doing HIIT (Read more about High Intensity Interval Training).

Repeat the sequence for 4 rounds. Trying to score higher reps on each round. Together with the warm up it should last for about 20 minutes. It is also a good idea to stretch for 3 -5 minutes after the workout.

1. Jump Squats

Get down in a squat position. Your feet are spread at least shoulder width apart or a little bit wider (depending on how flexible you are). Bent your knees until you come to 90 degrees. Make sure your knees stay behind your toes and not leaning in front. Your back should be flat, chest open and you are gazing in front of you. Chin also parallel to the floor. The centre of your weight is on the outside of your feet and on your heels.

From this position, push yourself off the ground with your feet, squeezing your gluteus and abs to help you with the jump. Jump with straight legs and land softly in the same squat position. AMRAP (as many reps as possible) for 50 seconds ! Write down your scores.

2.Jump Lunges

Set up your lung position. From standing make step out with your right foot and bent your knees. The front knee is about your ankle at 90 degrees. The back knee is below the the hip also at 90 degrees. Do not bring the back knee too much to the back or to the front.

From this position, push yourself off the ground with your feet. Switch legs and land softly in the same position. The only different is that now your leg foot is in front and your right foot is back. Repeat the jump and switch. AMRAP for 50"! Write down your score

3. In&Out Abs

Get down in a plank position. Your shoulders are above your wrists. Neck is long. Your back is flat. Your legs are straight, so you are on your toes and palms. Maintain your body line straight. If you look yourself into the mirror, fro your head to your toes your body should be aligned in one line. Do not lift your butt or collapse your hips. In order to maintain straight body line you need to contract the abs. Work those abs ! They should be contracting during the whole time.

From the straight plank position, jump with your feet in, between your arms. Then jump them out, back into the straight plank position. Do as many reps as possible for 50" ! Write down your score

4. Triceps Dips

Get yourself a chair next to a wall or use a step or something that can hold you. If you cannot find anything you can also do it on the ground. Place your palms on the chair (or floor) behind you with fingers pointing towards your body. Knees are bent and elbows straight. Bent your elbows as low as you can (without your butt reaching the ground) and push yourself up to straight arms again. Do as many reps as possible (AMRAP) for 50". Write down your score


Try to perform better with every round. Even one rep more is an improvement! For a maximum recovery, take some good protein.


Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Top 5 Exercises to Look Fit, not just Slim

In what stage are you: loosing weight, getting big muscles or maybe just looking fit? Well, this article is for those of you who have already slimmed down and are now looking for that great fit look...

How to Look not just Slim but Fit

There are many people that mistake the two
concepts of 'being slim/skinny' and 'looking fit'. I have personally seen and talked to many ladies (especially ladies) that are slim and have no muscles, believing that loosing more weight will give them the desired look. Well ladies...this is not the case! Get some muscle there! You do not need to look like a fitness model or a bodybuilder (by the way, there is no way this can happen unless you put it as your goal) to be looking good and fit. And forget about the skinny fashion models... Fit Is the New Sexy! 

How often should I train to look fit?

In order to look good and have some muscle (notice I say 'some' and not 'a lot' for those who are scared of getting muscular), you need to exercise at least 5-6 times per month for the beginners. This frequency of training will help you build some strength in your muscles and make them more tight. If you have already passed that level, you must increase to 2-3 times per week. You are going to feel the moment of transition yourself. There will be a moment when your muscles will be feeling it too easy and then you need to switch to the higher interval. For those of you who consider themselves "advanced", 3 - 6 times a week should be the best for you. It is always good to leave one day rest because otherwise your muscles "get used to" the workout and the effect is not the same.

What exercises should I do?

There are plenty of exercises that you can do to get your body toned and defined:

  • Squats - to define the glute
There are many types of squats you can do and they are THE exercise for a shaped bum and hips. Start with normal squats, later add weights and from then on you can start doing variations.

Variations: Sumo squats, Sumo squats with leg raise, Jumping Squats, etc. 
  • Lunges - also for glute and hips
Variations: Walking lunges, Front lunges on spot, Backside lunges, Back and Front lunges. Add weights !
  • Push-Ups - for nice arms, shoulders and abs
Push ups are also a great exercise to add definition. They target various muscles so with one shot, you get more. It is a good idea to start with your knees on the ground. Later you can lift your knees up and from then on: 

Variations: Cross Leg push ups, Reptile push ups, try decreasing the distance between your hands, etc.
  • Planks - for abs
I like doing planks. It builds strength in your muscles. Start with a normal plank but once you feel it is not a real challenge to keep it for one minute, start changing the variations:

Variations: Shoulder touch plank, Reptile plank, Side plank, Up and Down Plank
  • Burpees - for the whole body
Burpees make many muscle groups in your body to contract and they also have a cardio effect. It is kind of an advanced move but the sooner you get used to including them in your workout, the better for your shape! And this is what we want right? I nice body shape...


So, these are my top favourite toning, muscle defining exercises for a fit look. What do you do to get them muscles visible?