Must-Do Workout Routines

There are a few workout routines that I have been dying to do or cannot get enough of. It feels like every magazine, YouTube workout channel, and blog has been going crazy with workout videos since Bikini season is upon us. And of course, I have been going a bit crazy with the workouts I have been doing for that same reason. My 10K training is doing wonders for my torso (woohoo flat abs!), but these workout how-to's have been helping with everything else. Do not fret though, I have added in a must-do ab routine if abs are your trouble spot! 

​The Ultimate Arms and Abs Workout

{via}

Shape.com has put together an awesome workout for arms and abs. This routine is somewhere in between intense and not, and can suit most anyone's fitness goals. Fitness trainer, Jessica Smith, created this fast paced upper body workout, recommending that it be done two to three non-consecutive days a week. She also has some great tips for people who experience wrist pain while doing arm workouts- thank goodness!

This workout uses circuits in a fun way that I have never done before. Instead of doing every exercise and repeating that set, you have mini circuits with two exercises done twice. There are four circuits, eight moves total. ​

Alphabet Abs

I will first say that I hate, hate, hate abs routines that only work the upper abs. Apparently Cassey Ho is not a big fan of them either because this workout works both the upper and lower abs. The workout uses the letters of the alphabet to tone the abs, it is super fun and a bit educational! The workout is technically only two moves, ​but your draw out each letter of the alphabet in each move... It is intense!

​Full Body Fat Incinerator

This is the only must-do workout on the list that will work the whole body. The entire workout only takes about ten minutes, so I would recommend doing this as a warm up before going on to another workout in the must-do series. ​

Amanda Russell created this quick, fat burning workout to be a quick cardio session that mixes fast-paced moves with holding poses. This workout, like all Amanda Russell workouts, it intense. Thank goodness Amanda believes in quick workouts as much as she does intense ones! This workout will be over quickly, but your body will be feeling it for a while! 

Brazilian Booty

This booty workout is part of the 30 day butt challenge over on BeFit's YouTube Channel. The Brazilian Booty workout has tons of fun moves mixed with kick-boxing for a workout that will not be boring. I would totally recommend doing this workout, even if you are not doing the BeFit challenge with me. This guy will work your arms, back, and legs right along with your bum!

The Brazilian Booty workout would be a great follow-up for the Amanda Russell fat burner. Both will work your whole body (with some slight emphasis on the hind) and both will get that heart rate going! ​

5 Ways to Workout at Home

{via}

Going to the gym or working out outside is not always attainable with the cold, the snow, and our always busy lifestyles. But, that is no reason to skip a day of working out. Here are some quick and simple ways to workout at home that will help get us ready for bikini season before the snow has stopped it’s falling... or it just gets warmer out. 

Yoga

Yoga is one of my weekly home workout go-to’s for a healthy body and relaxed mind. It is wonderful for toning and can help stretch those achy, winter muscles. Different yoga routines can also  help with health issues, stress, digestion, and, even sleep issues. Podcasts like Yogamazing and Yoga Journal have flows for the novice to the expert yogi. These links will take you to their YouTube pages and some of my favorite flows.

Add Planks into a Routine

Planks are one of those wonder workout moves that can be done a handful of different ways and work almost the entire body. Some of of my favorite plank positions include lizard walks, lowered plank, side plank dips, and plank toe rolls. You can even do all of these for a plank-tastic workout! I like to complete a set amount of each with some down dog stretching in between.

Resistance bands

Resistance bands are a great alternative to free weights and much easier to store. Sites like Amazon.com have resistance band bundles that are as inexpensive as $20 and have the weight equivalent of 3 to 202 pounds. Bands do wonders for toning and can be used for many of the same workouts as free weights. Some of my favorite uses for bands are kneel down-chops and x-extensions with resistance bands. These are sure to get your heart pumping and muscles toning!

Get a Routine

Getting in a workout routine is an important part of making sure we workout at home. It can be easy to push back working out until after that show is over or after cleaning out that ridiculously messy closet- procrastination, anyone? Pick specific times and activities to do and stick to this schedule so you don’t inadvertently miss a workout day. If working out is new to you, start with three days, working out every other day of the week. Kick that number up to 4-6 if you are working towards a goal!

Cardio

Surprisingly, we can get a great cardio workout without leaving our home. Having cardio in your weekly routine is great for our shape, but even better for our heart. The American Heart Association recommends getting an increased heart level for at least 30 minutes per day. This can be done at home with things like knee-ups, kick backs, chair kicks, jump rope, sit-ups, push-ups, and so much more! The best part is that none of this takes up a lot of room. So long winter jogging!

Your Spring Body Workout

Florida has been a tricky-trickster with it's chilly weather lately. I keep having to remind myself that spring is right around the corner. Time to get out of hibernation and work towards that, do I dare say, bikini season.

This workout is one of those by the amazing Amanda Russell. She is so fantastic, like a little workout genie I would like to carry with me all the time. The Spring Into Your Spring Body Workout gets the fat melting and carbs burning with plyometrics and cardio. Plyometrics and cardio are one of the best combinations for seeing workout results. It does not take long to get a good workout when plyometrics are involved, so enjoy this spring body workout that will only take 10 minutes away from your day and use that extra time to get that itty bitty poka dot bikini. You earned it!

For more plyometric and cardio workouts, check out 300 in 30, 15 Minute Fat Burn, and Fast Track to Fit.