Must-Do Workout Routines

by Jenni in

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

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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! ​

Reistance Band Workout

by Jenni in

One of the lovely people over at Snapguide requested that I do a workout only using resistance bands. Oh how I love requests, and I really love this one! Making a workout that only used resistance bands was so fun and I got to learn some great moves that have worked muscles I was not sure existed!

Resistance bands are great for toning muscle and increasing both strength and flexibility. This workout is comprised of one circuit that should be done twice with a one minute break between each. I recommend starting 5 lb. resistance bands and increasing from there as needed. Start with a two minute warm up jog, then complete each exercise for one minute with a one minute break between circuits.

This workout should take about 20 minutes and burn 200+ calories!

Squat Press

Get ready to feel it in your arms and legs and abs (shoulders knees and toes). Start in squat position with feet shoulder width apart and resistance band evenly under feet. Hold the ends of the resistance band in each hand. Squat down and stay in squatting position while you raise hands above your head. Rise back up and continue for one minute.

Lunge with Bicep Curl

These are quite popular in the resistance band world, because they are awwwsommeee! Place the resistance band under your right foot with the ends in each hand. Complete a lunge on your right side, but stay in the lunge position and complete a bicep curl. Come back to starting once the curl is completed and continue with right leg lunges for one minute. Switch to the left leg in the second circuit. 

X-Extensions

Oh I love these. We have covered these wonders before in the Calorie Burn Workout, but not since then. Start with legs hip width apart with resistance bands evenly under each foot. Place the left side of the resistance band in the right hand and visa versa. Raise your arms above your head at a 45 degree angle so the band forms an "X" in the center. Come back to starting and complete as many as possible in one minute.

Resistance Band Push-Ups

These will take your push-ups to the next level, for reals! The first time I did this was rough, and not just because they are tough... Learn from my experience and wrap the band around your back and between your chest and inner arms. This will make sure it does not roll up and get knotted in you hair. Yea, that was a great workout...

Hold the band tight in each hand so it is stretching when you rise up. Complete as many of these bad boys as you can in one minute, then you can cry a little. 

Side Lunge Pulls

I have recently come across these and love them! Place the left foot on the middle of the resistance band and hold the outer end with the left hand. Complete a side lunge with the right leg and pull the left arm across your body so you rotate to the right while extending your arm. Come back to starting and complete as many as possible in one minute. Alternate to the left side in the next circuit.

Be sure to only rotate your body during the lunges, keep the stationary leg, stationary.

Fly-Back Kick-Back

This is wonderful for the back and legs. It is a variation on the usual fly backs but with a band instead of a band. Place left foot on the middle of the band and stack right foot behind. Hold the ends of the bands with each hand and lift right leg back as you bend body forward so you are in a "T". Lift arms our to the side so that are on the same plain as your back, hold, then return to starting. Complete as many as possible in 1 minute, then alternate to the left leg in the next circuit.

X-Wrap

Hello thigh-master version 2.0! Lay on your right side with legs stacked on top of one another and straight out. Wrap the resistance band once around your ankles and tie a knot in it so there is only a small amount of slack when ankles are together. Lift the left leg up as high as you can while the right leg remains on the ground. Complete as many as you can in 1 minute, then complete for the right leg in the second set.

Pelvic Push

This will work your thighs, bum, and lower abdominal muscles. Lay on your back with legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place resistance band over your pelvis with hands on either side holding the resistance band to the ground. Make sure the band is tight, then raise pelvis off the ground so only your shoulders are touching the floor. Hold, then return to starting position and continue for one minute.