Workouts

Subterms

    More stories

    • 113 Shares

      in fitness and body

      Pregnancy Workout: 5 Easy Exercises For A Healthy Bod

      by

      If you’re a mum-to-be, try this easy pregnancy workout to keep healthy and fit during pregnancy from Cotton On Body. This workout is low-impact, meaning it’s gentle on your body but still gets your heart pumping to stay healthy.

      The Easy Pregnancy Workout

      1. Squats

      Sit back through your heels until your hips are nearly in line with knees (your range may be limited depending on how far you are into your pregnancy). Then stand up straight, pushing through your heels and squeezing your glutes.

      2. Glute Bridges

      Lying on the ground, tuck your heels close to your bottom, shoulder-width apart. Push your hips up all the way, squeezing your glutes as you come up. Hold for 3-5 seconds, then lower back to the ground and repeat.

      3. Resistance Band Rows

      Stand on the band with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lean over with your knees slightly bent, making sure that you keep your spine natural. Pull the band to your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for 3-5 seconds, then slowly release back to starting position.

      4. Donkey Kicks

      Place your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips, maintaining a neutral spine. Bring your knee in towards your chest then extend out slowly towards the sky with your toes pointed, squeezing your glutes. Try not to rotate your hips too much.

      5. Resistance Band Bicep Curls

      Stand on the band with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slightly bend your knees, with your elbows to the side and arms extended. Curl your arms up to your shoulders, hold for two seconds, then slowly lower down to full extension again. More

    • 125 Shares

      in fitness and body

      8 Easy Core Yoga Poses That’ll Fire Up Your Abs

      by

      Amy Dixon, an exercise physiologist and group fitness manager, has created this workout that builds muscle, improves flexibility, and melts away stress. Big bonus: these core yoga poses will fire up your abs.

      These moves roll yoga and strength into one neat package. They’re so effective because each exercise calls on your entire core and requires balance (thanks to the yoga moves), so your whole body, not just the targeted muscle, works through its full range of motion. Tackle the moves two non-consecutive days a week and you’ll notice sleeker definition – and a calmer mindset – within four weeks.

      Lateral Bend And Reach

      This core yoga pose works the core, shoulders, hamstrings and inner thighs.

      Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet about 1.2 metres apart. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees. Raise your right arm straight up above your shoulder, palm facing in (A). Brace your abs and bend to the left, lowering the left dumbbell to your left ankle (B). Rise back up, keeping your right arm overhead. Do 12 to 15 reps, then repeat on the other side. Do three sets, resting for up to 30 seconds between sets.

      READ MORE: These Pilates-Fusion Moves Strengthen, Lengthen And Tone

      Dog Press

      This core yoga pose works the core, shoulders, pecs, lats, back and hamstrings.

      Stand a bit behind a Bosu. Bend into down­ward dog, placing your palms about 12 centimetres apart on the dome and lifting your hips towards the ceiling (A). Place your right hand a metre in front of the Bosu and place your right knee on it. Follow with your left hand and left knee (B). Do a push-up (C). Step back into downward dog. That’s one rep. Do two sets of 8 to 10, resting for 30 seconds between sets.

      Rock The Boat

      Works entire core.

      Draw your knees towards your chest, lift your head and grab your legs below the knees (A). Rock up and balance on your glutes (B). Keeping your back long and chest lifted, straighten your legs and extend your arms (C). Hold for three seconds, then tuck in and roll back to start. That’s one rep. Do three sets of 12 to 15 reps, resting for up to 30 seconds between sets.

      READ MORE: Feel Strong And Powerful With This Explosive 15-Minute Workout

      Dive & Roll

      Works back and glutes.

      Place a weighted bar half a metre in front of a Bosu. Lie face down with your hips and belly on the Bosu, feet hip-width apart on the floor. Place your palms on the bar and lift your legs as high as possible (A). Slowly roll the bar towards the Bosu as you lower your legs towards the floor (B). Roll back to start. That’s one rep. Do three sets of 12 to 15 reps, resting for up to 30 seconds between sets.

      Trainer TipKeep your neck in line with your spine throughout the move.

      Crescent Lunge and Row

      Works back, glutes, hamstrings and quads.

      Grab a three-to-five kilogram dumbbell in your right hand and stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Lunge forwards with your left leg until your left knee is bent at 90 degrees. Lower your torso as close as possible to your left knee, as you raise your left arm out to the side to shoulder height, palm down. Allow the dumbbell to hang naturally (A). Row the dumbbell straight up until your right elbow passes your torso (B). That’s one rep. Continue rowing, without standing up, for 12 to 15 reps. Return to start and repeat on the other side. That’s one set. Do three sets, resting for up to 30 seconds between sets.

      Trainer TipKeep your rowing arm close to your side.

      READ MORE: This 4-Week Bodyweight Challenge Is The Ultimate New Year Workout Plan

      Tricep Warrior

      Works core, triceps, glutes, hamstrings and quads.

      Grab a pair of two-to-four kilogram dumbbells and stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Rest your right toe on the floor about half a metre behind you (A). Bend forwards from the hips and raise your right leg until your body forms a T. Bend your elbows to bring the dumbbells directly under your shoulders, palms facing in (B). Keeping your upper arms still, extend the dumbbells straight back (C). Curl them back to your shoulders. That’s one rep. Do 15 to 20 without lowering your leg. Rest for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

      Bicep Warrior

      Works shoulders, biceps, glutes, hamstrings, and inner and outer thighs.

      Grab a pair of two-to-four kilogram dumbbells and stand with your feet about a metre apart. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees and, hips and shoulders facing forward, bend your left knee at 90 degrees. Extend your arms to shoulder height (A). With your upper arms parallel to the floor, do a bicep curl, bringing the dumbbells to your shoulders (B). Slowly re-extend your arms. Do 15 to 20 reps; rest for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side. More

    • 125 Shares

      in fitness and body

      HIIT Things Up With This Simple But Powerful Couple’s Workout

      by

      This full-body high-intensity interval couple’s workout is perfect for pairs looking to torch kilos. Do this workout three days a week for the best results. All you’ll need is a skipping rope and an exercise mat.

      Complete as many reps as you can in 60 seconds, then rest for 20 seconds before moving on to the next exercise. Based on your level of fitness either complete one round (beginner), two to three rounds (intermediate) or four rounds (advanced).

      The HIIT Couple’s Workout

      1/ Skipping And Inchworm

      Your partner starts in a standing position, feet hip distance apart. They then place their hands on the floor and walk them forward until they’re in high plank.

      Your partner then walks their hands back to their feet and stands upright. Skip for 60 seconds while they complete the exercise.

      Make it harder:  Your partner adds a push-up before walking their hands back to their feet and standing upright. Even harder: your partner taps their hands to the opposite toes before walking back and standing upright.

      READ MORE: Feel Strong And Powerful With This Explosive 15-Minute Workout

      2/ Knee-Raises

      Sit facing your partner. Holding each other’s hands, lean back and straighten your legs. Bring your knees towards your chest while shifting your butt to the other side of your partner. Straighten your legs and repeat the process, shifting your legs back to the starting side.

      3/ Skipping And Inchworm

      Repeat exercise one of the couple’s workout, but this time you perform the inchworm while your partner skips. 

      4/ Reverse Lunge And Squat

      Stand facing your partner while holding each other’s right hands. Lunge backwards with your left leg. As you return to standing, drop your partner’s right hand, grab each other’s left hands and lunge backwards with your right leg. As you return to standing, grab both hands and then squat. Return

      to standing.

      Make it harder:  Swap the regular squat for a jump squat. Let go of your partner’s hands as you jump.

      READ MORE: Get Strong, Shapely Legs With This Do-Anywhere Leg Workout

      5/ Plank And Jump Over

      Start in plank, keeping your body straight and your core braced. Your partner places their hands on your upper back near your shoulders and jumps side to side over you.

      Make it harder: After jumping over, your partner does a half-burpee (no push-up) before jumping back. Even harder: try a chest-to-floor burpee.

      6/ Partner Leg Raises

      Lie down facing opposite directions with your heads next to each other. Interlock your arms, holding each other under the biceps. Keeping your core muscles tight and back on the ground, raise your legs until your toes touch at the top. Lower back down with control. Repeat. 

      READ MORE: Tone Up The Fun Way With This Strength And Cardio Dance Workout

      7/ Plank And High Knees 

      As your partner maintains a high plank, perform high knees, moving side to side between their legs moving. Swap positions halfway. 

      8/ Partner Roll-Ups

      Sit facing your partner. Roll backwards onto your upper-back with your knees tucked in. Roll forward, returning to a seated position and clap hands. Repeat. 

      Make it harder: As you roll forward, stand up and clap your hands. Sit down and begin again. Try to keep the movement fluid and continuous.

      Download your free 28-day Essential Guide To Self-Care by entering your details below. *Terms and Conditions Apply. More

    • 88 Shares

      in fitness and body

      These Pilates-Fusion Moves Strengthen, Lengthen And Tone

      by

      By Caitlin CarlsonIn most areas of life, taking a shortcut often leads to diminished results (remember when you tried to cut your own “Rachel” layers?). But this Pilates-fusion workout can certainly give you all the results in less time.
      Hybrid workouts can get you a hot body in half the time! One of the best ones we’ve discovered: SLT (strengthen, lengthen and tone), a programme in the US that incorporates the controlled, toning movements of a classic Pilates class and adds intensity by cranking the pace to full throttle (no stopping to rest between moves!). “You develop flexibility and core strength, get your heart pumping and literally feel your muscles quivering,” says its founder, Amanda Freeman.
      READ MORE: Get Strong, Shapely Legs With This Do-Anywhere Leg Workout
      Classes use a Megaformer, a souped-up Pilates-like machine that works multiple muscle groups to torch kilojoules and amp up strength. Score the same perks at home with this SLT-inspired workout from Freeman.
      At a four-count pace, do as many reps of each move as you can for one minute before moving to the next exercise. Start with the spoon, then do the next three moves on your left side to totally exhaust the muscles before repeating them on the right. Rest for 30 seconds, then repeat the whole series twice more.
      The Pilates-Fusion Workout
      Spoon
      Remember to activate your core! Stand in front of a chair with a towel under both heels. Reach back and grip the front edge of the chair so that your butt hovers over and slightly in front of the seat (A). Lean forward and pull the towel towards the chair without bending your legs (B), then slowly push back to start. That’s one rep.
      READ MORE: This 4-Week Bodyweight Challenge Is The Ultimate New Year Workout Plan
      French twist
      Start in plank position with your arms shoulder-width apart and toes resting on a towel. Cross your left foot over your right at the ankle (A). Keeping your legs straight, pike your body to slide the towel a few centimetres closer to your arms (B). Push back to start. That’s one rep.
      Curtsy
      Get on your hands and knees (tabletop position). Extend your left leg straight behind you (A), then bend it, crossing it over your right leg as close to the back of your knee as possible (B). Return to tabletop position. That’s one rep.
      READ MORE: Tone Up The Fun Way With This Strength And Cardio Dance Workout
      Serve the platter
      Place your left foot on a towel slightly behind your right. Hold dumbbells at waist height, elbows bent 90 degrees, palms up (A). Slide your left foot back into a lunge as you straighten your arms (B). Reverse to return to start. That’s one rep. More

    • 113 Shares

      in fitness and body

      Feel Strong And Powerful With This Explosive 15-Minute Workout

      by

      By Wanita Nicol, equipment sponsored by REBEL Elite Fitness
      If you’re looking to find your strength and power, that high after you’ve completed something particularly tough, look no further than this explosive 15-minute workout.
      This workout combines fat-busting movements with strengthening exercises to tone your whole body – with emphasis on the wobbly bits around your butt and legs. Perform these moves as a circuit three or four times a week. For each exercise, do all required reps without rest, rest for up to a minute, then move on to the next exercise. Once you’re done, repeat the entire circuit for a total of three rounds. As you get fitter, decrease your rest time by 10 seconds. Always start with a quick warm-up — include shoulders, wrists and legs.
      READ MORE: This 4-Week Bodyweight Challenge Is The Ultimate New Year Workout Plan
      You’ll need: a step and a medicine ball (or any weighted object that’s easy to hold)
      Watch one of our WH staffers perform the moves for this 15-minute explosive workout:
      [embedded content]
      READ MORE: Get Strong, Shapely Legs With This Do-Anywhere Leg Workout 
      1. Step and Extend
      Stand about 30cm behind a sturdy box or step, feet hip-width apart, holding a medicine ball at your chest. Place your right foot on the box. Keeping your upper body straight, step up onto the box, straightening your right leg and extending your left leg out and back. Pressing the ball out explosively as you extend your back leg. Pause, then reverse the movement to return to start. That’s one rep. Do 10 to 12, then repeat on the other side.
      2. Donkey Kick
      Start in push-up position, legs extended behind you, feet together, hands under your shoulders. Keeping your legs together, brace your core and glutes, then kick both legs up simultaneously, bending your knees to bring your feet towards your butt. Try to land softly on the balls of your feet, back in the start position. That’s one rep. Do 12 to 16.Medi
      READ MORE: Tone Up The Fun Way With This Strength And Cardio Dance Workout
      3. Calf Raise
      Stand with your heels together and toes pointed out in a V shape. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet. Hold for two seconds, then slowly return to start. That’s one rep. Do 10 to 15.
      4. Quarter-turn Squat Jump
      With feet shoulder-width apart, lower into a squat, arms straight down. Jump up explosively, swinging your arms overhead and rotating 90 degrees left in mid-air. As you land softly, immediately drop back into a squat. Reverse the movement to return to start. That’s one rep. Do 12 to 16.

      Wanita Nicol

      Wanita Nicol is a freelance writer and storyteller. She’s also a certified personal trainer and has been a fitness editor for more than 10 years. When she’s not trying a new workout or testing new fitness gear, she’s living her best nerd life on Instagram @TheFitNerdSA. More

    • 113 Shares

      in fitness and body

      Get Strong, Shapely Legs With This Do-Anywhere Leg Workout

      by

      These moves, forming part of a killer leg workout, works *hard* to build lean muscle and firm those legs fast.
      The explosive moves (plyometrics) in this leg workout increase strength and help your body absorb impact to prevent injuries, says Juan Carlos Santana, director of the Institute of Human Performance in Florida.
      Warm up for 10 minutes and do two sets of eight reps twice a week. Or, slot them into your regular workout and witness the burn in your glutes, core and quads.
      Vertical Jumps
      Level: ModerateStand with your legs shoulder-width apart and your arms slightly in front of you. Squat down about 45 degrees and jump up as high as you can. Land on the balls of your feet, but make sure your whole foot touches the ground before repeating immediately.
      READ MORE: 4 Postpartum Exercises That’ll Give You A Tighter Core
      Long Jumps
      Level: AdvancedStand with your legs shoulder-width apart. Get into a quarter squat and immediately jump forward as far and as high as you can. Bring your arms in front for balance as you jump. For a more challenging move, jump forward over obstacles like cones or sticks.
      READ MORE: 6 Dance Fitness Lessons From The Fitness Marshall
      Lateral Obstacle Jumps
      Level: OlympianStand next to a step or cone with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands in front of you for balance. Get into a quarter squat and jump as high as you can laterally over the obstacle, landing on both feet. As soon as you touch the floor, jump back the other way.
      READ MORE: This 4-Week Bodyweight Challenge Is The Ultimate New Year Workout Plan More

    • 113 Shares

      in fitness and body

      4 Postpartum Exercises That’ll Give You A Tighter Core

      by

      Hey mama! Congratulations on your new baby and we’re sure you can’t wait to get back into action to start working out. Don’t forget, we all heal at a different pace, but a good indication of how well you’re healing would be to get the ‘all clear’ from your doctor when you go for your six weeks check-up. Before then, walking and light exercise is great. Grab the stroller, the baba, and get some fresh air.
      Fitness instructor, mother of three, and former Women’s Health Next Fitness Star Finalist, Phia-Lee Rabie shares her top four core recovery exercises, that will tighten the corset and slim your waistline, after childbirth.
      [embedded content]
      Postpartum Exercises
      1/ The Vacum
      Perform these postpartum exercises standing, sitting or lying down.

      Take a deep breath in and on the exhale, draw the belly button in and up towards your spine squeeze out all the air.
      Hold your breath forming a vacuum when you can’t hold your breath any more breath slowly keeping your belly button drawn.
      Perform this hold as long as you can or do a 30-second hold for 5 sets.

      READ MORE: How Yoga Helped This Woman Cope With Her Pregnancy
      2/ Vacuum Twist
      Perform these postpartum exercises while standing.

      Do the vacuum hold (drawn in holding your breath) and add an upper-body twist with hands behind your head.
      Keep the movement smooth with 10 reps and work up to 20 reps for 5 sets.

      3/ Heal Taps
      Performed lying down with knees bent.

      Place your hands under your bottom for extra support.
      Draw the belly button in and keep your upper body on the floor.
      Curl up the lower body knees towards your chest.
      Rollback down and tap the heels on the floor that’s one rep. Start with 30sec 4 to 5 sets.

      READ MORE: 6 Weight Loss Strategies That’ll Get You Closer To Your #BodyGoals
      4/Leg Slides
      Performed lying down, with knees bent and feet flat.

      Draw the belly button in and slowly slide the one leg down the floor to straighten it out, then slide it back.
      Take a deep breath, draw in the belly button, and repeat on the other side.
      Do 4 to 5 sets per side. Increase your reps as you get stronger.

      READ MORE: 11 Best Workout Tights To Give You All The Gym Inspo
      Postpartum exercises: a word from the expert
      Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Dr Natalia Novikova, says postpartum exercises are very important for maintaining general health and mental wellbeing. “There are different ways of getting back to exercise. It’s possible to return to physical exercise within a few weeks of giving birth if you had a vaginal birth and within four weeks after Caesarean section,” she says.
      Dr Novikova advises, if you suffer from medical illnesses or have had complications with your pregnancy,  it’s advisable to consult your treating doctor regarding the return to physical activity. “Listen to your body, don’t overstretch —  stop if you are sore. I suggest finding time every day for at least 30 minutes workout,” she says.
      Tiredness and lack of sleep make it very hard to get into any exercise routine, but once you start exercising your energy levels will improve and you will be happier so it’s certainly worth trying to fit it in. Any exercises will work well — lunges, squats, sit-ups, push-ups, yoga, core exercises, spinning, swimming. More

    • 138 Shares

      in fitness and body

      This 4-Week Bodyweight Challenge Is The Ultimate New Year Workout Plan

      by

      Bored of bodyweight movements? We get it – you probably feel like you did enough of them to last a lifetime in 2020 alone. But before you toss them aside, hear us out: Even though it’s easier to come by equipment these days, bodyweight exercises still play an important role in fitness. And this bodyweight challenge will show you just that.

      “Bodyweight movements are the foundation to being able to load heavier,” says Certified Personal Trainer Lauren Kanski. “Everyone wants to lift the heavy weights, but very few people move well without weight. Balance and stability with proper form is more important than how heavy our equipment is.”

      READ MORE: 4 Core Moves That’ll Create A Stronger Body All Over

      And in case you’re doubting the effectiveness of bodyweight exercise, don’t worry: You can still make strides, according to Kanski, as long as you stay consistent and follow a progressive programme.

      Enter this four-week bodyweight challenge, in which you’ll progress in skill rather than simply adding more sets and reps. (Because who wants to do 37 glute bridges anyway?)

      You’re guaranteed to feel like even more of a badass (it’s possible, trust) when you can do perfect burpees and supermans in week four, but that’s not all. “There’s a huge mental component to movement,” says Kanski, who created this exclusive plan for WH. “You can have the strongest muscles in the world, but they cannot function without sensory input from the brain.” That’s why establishing a rock-solid mind-body connection pays off in the long run. “And when we focus on components of the skill itself, the brain has to adapt in a good way,” Kanski says.

      READ MORE: Sculpt Your Body With This 15-Minute HIIT Workout

      What’s more, the stability and explosive elements (like the single-side exercises and jumps) are designed to get your entire system operating better as a team – crucial to becoming fitter and preventing injury.

      Think of this sweat test as a total-body training programme in disguise. “It hits almost all of our biggest movement patterns and incorporates balance, strength, and power,” says Kanski. Nothing gets left out!

      A few things to keep in mind for this challenge: First of all, Kanski recommends inviting some friends or family members to join in, too. “Community makes it easier to stick to it,” she says. And don’t forget to take note of the steps you take toward your goals.

      “Most people can set goals and have a vision, but they don’t track their progress closely enough,” Kanski explains. “So it becomes impossible to know what to change or reevaluate in order to stay on track.” In other words, she says, what gets measured gets managed.

      Your New Year Bodyweight Challenge

      Time: 15 to 20 minutes each

      Equipment: none

      Good for: total body

      Instructions: Do each week’s workout three times, ideally on nonconsecutive days. Perform three sets of each exercise (either the prescribed number of reps or for time), with 30 seconds of rest between moves. Then continue on to the next.

      Pro tip: Also aim to add three or four days a week of low- or moderate-intensity, low-impact cardio, like walking at an incline, spinning, or rowing, to let your joints and muscles recover while improving cardiovascular health.

      READ MORE: Boxing Inspired Workout: 8 Moves That Will Help You Get a Knockout Body RN!

      Week 1

      High Plank

      How to: Start at the top of a pushup with wrists under shoulders and feet together – you can separate them to make the move easier. Keep core engaged and tailbone tucked under. Hold for 30 seconds. That’s 1 set.

      Superman With Legs Down

      How to: Lie facedown with arms bent 90 degrees, elbows in line with shoulders, all four limbs, and forehead on floor. That’s your start position. Contract core and lift head, chest, and arms a few centimetres off floor. Keep neck neutral by gazing just past nose, and extend arms straight forward. Reverse motion to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Bilateral Glute Bridge

      How to: Lie faceup with legs bent, feet hip-width apart and flat on floor about a ruler’s length from butt, ankles under knees. Contract core and lift hips. Pause, then lower back down. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Frog Hop

      How to: Start in a high plank with hands directly under shoulders and body forming a straight line from head to heels. Jump feet forward to just outside hands, coming into a low squat position. Jump back to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Split Squat

      How to: Stand with legs staggered, right leg forward and left back, left heel high. Bring hands together in front of chest and lower body until both knees are bent 90 degrees, then return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12, then repeat on opposite side.

      READ MORE: This 17-Day Slimdown Plan Will Help Get You Back In Shape

      Week 2

      Incline Pushup

      How to: Start in a plank with hands elevated on a chair, bench, or step. Bend arms to lower chest toward chair, elbows pointing 45 degrees away from sides, body in a straight line. Press back up to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Superman With Legs Up

      How to: Lie facedown with arms bent 90 degrees, elbows in line with shoulders, all four limbs and forehead on floor. Contract core and squeeze glutes to lift head, chest, arms, and legs a few centimetres off floor. Gaze just past nose and straighten arms. Reverse motion to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Glute Bridge Holds

      How to: Lie faceup with legs bent, feet flat on floor hip-distance apart, ankles under knees, and arms on floor at 45-degree angles away from body. Contract core and lift hips up. Hold for 30 seconds. That’s 1 set.

      Squat Thrust

      How to: Start in a high plank, then quickly jump feet forward into a low squat, lifting hands and torso up into the air at the top. Reverse movement to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Forward Lunge

      How to: Start standing with feet shoulder-width apart. Then, take a big step forward with right foot and lower down into a lunge, stopping when both legs form 90-degree angles. Press through right foot to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12 per side.

      READ MORE: The Right Way To Do Reverse Lunges

      Week 3

      Pushup

      How to: From a high plank, engage core and bend elbows at 45-degree angles from sides to lower body, keeping a straight line from head to heels. Pause at lowest point, then press back up to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12 . (Full pushups too hard? No prob – perform with knees on floor.)

      Superman Hold

      How to: Lie facedown with arms bent at 90 degrees and elbows in line with shoulders, all four limbs and forehead on floor. Contract core, squeeze glutes, and lift head, chest, arms, and legs a few centimetres off floor. Gaze just past nose to keep neck neutral, then extend arms straight forward. Hold for 30 seconds. That’s 1 set.

      Marching Glute Bridge

      How to: Lie faceup with legs bent, feet flat on floor hip-distance apart, ankles under knees, and arms on floor by sides. Lift hips toward ceiling, keeping core engaged and pressing arms into floor for more stability. Raise left knee up over hip. Lower it back down, then repeat on opposite side. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Squat Jump

      How to: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, then lower into a squat, and jump up into air. Land gently back in squat. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Step-Up

      How to: Begin standing in front of a stair or box with hands on hips. Put right foot flat on top of elevated surface, then transfer weight into it in order to bring left foot up and rest it next to right. Reverse movement to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12 per side.

      READ MORE: This 13-Move Upper Abs Workout Will Help You Sculpt Those Six-Pack Muscles

      Week 4

      Pushup Isometric Hold

      How to: Start in a high plank, then bend elbows to lower down as far as possible while keeping body in a straight line from head to heels. Hold for three counts, then press back up to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 5 or 6.

      Superman Hold

      How to: Lie facedown with arms bent 90 degrees, elbows in line with shoulders, all four limbs and forehead on floor. Engage abs and squeeze glutes to lift head, chest, arms, and legs a few centimetres off floor. Gaze just in front of nose to keep neck neutral, and extend arms straight forward. Hold for 45 seconds. That’s 1 set.

      Broad Jump

      How to: Stand with feet under shoulders, knees bent, hips pushed back, and arms extended behind body. Use momentum to jump as far forward as possible, bringing hands to clasp in front of chest. Land gently in a shallow squat. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Burpee

      How to: Stand, then swing arms overhead and jump a few inches into the air. Land softly, then immediately fold forward to place palms on floor and hop feet back into a high plank. Reverse movement to return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12.

      Single-Leg Deadlift

      How to: Stand with weight on left leg and arms by sides. Hinge forward at hips to simultaneously lower upper body toward floor while lifting right leg into the air until both are parallel to ceiling and body forms a T shape; extend arms straight down in line with shoulders for extra balance and stability. Slowly return to start. That’s 1 rep. Do 10 to 12 per side.*This article was originally published on Women’s Health US More