Join us as we attempt to keep the holiday stress and pounds at bay. Here is the link to the calendar, and an explanation of the exercises.
- Squats: Start in standing position with feet shoulder length apart. Keep your back straight and core braced. Slowly push your hips back, bend your knees and lower to the ground until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Be sure to keep your knees over your ankles the entire time. Rise back to starting position.
- Push ups: Starting position on the floor with hands slightly wider then shoulder length and feet directly behind you. Lower your chest to the ground, bending your elbows while keeping your legs extended behind you. Hold for 2 seconds then press back up.
- Sit-ups: Lying flat on your back with bent knees and feet planted firming on the ground. Without pulling on your neck, tighten your core and curl your body up towards your knees. Hold for 2 seconds and release back to starting position. Repeat.
- Jumping Squats: Perform a squat until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Then press your feet into the ground and explode off the ground jumping as high as you can! Allow your knees to bend to 45° when you land.
- Tricep Dips: Position your hands behind you, shoulder width apart, on a secure table, bench or chair. Extend your legs out in front of you, with your butt hanging off of the edge of the bench, chair or table. With your arms straighten behind you, slowly start to bend your elbow and lower your butt to the ground until your elbows are at a 90° angle or your triceps are parallel with the ground. Push yourself back up to starting position.
- Plank: These are “low planks” which means on your forearms, not on your hands. Place elbows directly beneath your shoulders and extend your legs. Press through your heels so calves are lengthened. Draw your navel toward your spine and engage your glutes and hold.
- Mountain Climbers: Start in high plank position, arms straightened out with hands on the ground and legs extended behind you. While keeping your back flat, core engaged and hips down lift your right knee to your right elbow – return to starting position while lifting your left knee to your left elbow. Repeat process and continue switching legs while increasing the pace.
- Russian Twists: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Slowly lean your back back to a 45° angle, your body will look like a V shape. Engaging your core while legs are extended in front of you, balance on your tailbone (or sit bone) and begin twisting your torso to either side without moving your legs.
- Curtesy Lunges: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Keep your back straight and core engaged – lunge backward moving your right foot behind your leg foot and bending your knee until your left thigh is parallel to the ground or your right knee touches the ground. Return to starting position then repeat with the other side.
- Hip Bridges: Lie flat on your back, your knees bent and arms flat on the ground. Your feet should be hip-distance apart with your heels as close to your butt as possible. In one fluid motion, push up through your heels to lift your hips toward the ceiling while squeezing your glutes. Hold 3 to 5 seconds, then lower.
- Reverse Sit-ups: Starting position is lying on your back with your hands at your side and legs about 4-6 inches off the floor.Slowly lower your legs toward the floor (don’t touch the floor!) then raise up to point at the ceiling. Your hips will slightly lift off the floor as your toes get closer to the ceiling. Extend you legs back down to the starting position. Keep your legs straight and hovering above the floor. Avoid touching the floor.
Who’s in?
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