15 Minute Fat Burning Workout

by Jenni in


The days when our work is long and our workout is cut short are just the times we need a 15 minute fat fat burning routine. Most people can fit 15 minutes of anything into their schedule, let's make it a workout that will give great results and take little time. This mix of cardio and plyometrics will get that fat melting off and help tone the muscle we already have. The resistance bands are used to kick this workout up a few notches and get some serious fat burning, calorie melting results!

Warm-up with one minute of jogging in place or jump ropes. Complete each exercise for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 second before completing the next set. Do four sets, total. Cool down by walking in place and stretching.

Squat-Kicks

These do a number on the bum, inner thighs, and outer thighs. Legs are shoulder width apart and body is straight. Bend legs and squat dow. Rise up slowly and kick right leg straight out to the side. Alternate to left leg during the second and fourth set.

Lizard Walk

Great for back, arms, and abs. Start in push-up position. Lift right leg up so it is parallel to the ground, then bend towards your arm. Hold, then bring back to starting. Complete right side together, then left during second and fourth set.

Tires

These are great for the legs and abs. The higher you lift your knees, the better a burn you will get. Legs should be shoulder width apart. Run forward for four counts, then back for four counts like you are stepping into giant tires.

Kneel-Down Chop

Goodness, I loved these from last week's workout with Jillian Michaels. They do a number on your arms, abs, and bum. For this workout, we will be using resistance bands instead of weights. Start with right leg lifted and bent at 90 degrees and hands to the right of your head, arms bent. The resistance band should be held under the left foot. Bend down and tuck right leg in. Twist torso and straighten arms to the left. Rise back up to starting. Complete left side during second and fourth set.

Torso Twists

These are great for burning fat in our mid section! Get into push-up position. Twist hips to the right while dipping down slightly so hips are almost touching the ground. Hold, then twist to the left with the same movement. Be sure to keep back straight and lower with the arms only, hips should be rotating only. Alternate from side-to-side for 30 seconds.

Mix it up and do the second set in a lowered plank position, if desired!

Elbow to Knee

A great heart pumping, core building, glute burning, end of the workout! Start with feet hip width apart and hands interlaced behind head. Elbows should remain out to the side the entire time. Lift left leg so knee is bent and at chest level and rotate torso so elbow and knee are touching. Alternate legs as quickly as possible for 30 seconds.


Side note about the pics: The photographer/husband thought the outfit was a bit 80's and decided the pics should be in an 80's motif... If I had my way, every picture ever taken would have this coloring! 15 minute workout out, 80's flashbacks, and smizing- what more could we ask for ;)


15 Minute Tone at Home

by Jenni in


Total time: 15.5 minutes    Calories burned: 120    Workout intensity: Very intense

Amanda Russell has been featured in the latest Women's Health magazine with a 15 Minute Tone at home workout. I love these little tid bits on health and working out that magazines like Women's Health and Shape do, but I rarely every do them for fear that I will not get as good a workout. If you have ever felt this way, I completely understand! That is why, I have done the 15 Minute Tone at Home workout... to let you know if it is worth your time!

The workout is comprised of four exercises you do in 30 second intervals and with 4 reps each. The first 30 seconds was alternating leg squat kicks, followed by a one minute break and 30 seconds of jumping lunges. This was done 4 times total before moving on to the final two sets. The final two exercises were 30 seconds of stacked foot push-ups and 30 seconds cross body mountain climbers done in the same 30 second/1 minute ratio.

The first exercise was great, I loved the squat kicks and could definitely feel it in my legs. The jumping lunges were a bit more difficult and left me feeling very unbalanced quite a few times. I had to change from jumping lunges to regular after the second rep due to pain from an old ballet injury in my knee. The regular lunges were great and I do not feel I missed out on much. This first part of the workout was the cardio section for sure, my heart rate got up to 85 bpm and stayed there almost the entire time. 

Exercises three and four were more geared towards the torso and arms. The push-ups were rather intense for my arms, but I did not feel any real difference between the stacked and original versions. The cross body mountain climbers did a complete number on my abs, with a little extra for my obliques and inner thighs.

The work out was great, overall! I worked up quite the sweat in fifteen minutes, but was very happy it was over. Although it was nice to change up my workout routine, I did find myself bored about mid-way through.  This is the type of workout I would do again if I was short on time and wanted something very intense but did not care about fun. 

For the full article, check out the Women's Health November issue.