Fit Body:
Plank with Side Step
Begin in a plank position. Keeping your upper body in one place, and stabilizing your core. Step your right foot to the side about six inches, pause for a few seconds, and then return to your starting position. Next, step your left foot the side about six inches, pause, and then return to your starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Fit Body:
Creative Abs
Get creative with your ab exercises. Your abs and core work during all of your daily activities. Sometimes your core works to bend and twist. Other times, your core works to stabilize against movement by preventing bending and twisting of your torso. Your core is a multi-layered, multi-functional group of muscles. Here’s how to get creative with your abs: Begin by choosing your base-move, for example a crunch or a plank. Once basic form is mastered, add a moving challenge. A moving challenging is moving an arm or leg in any pattern (forward/backward, side/center, up/down, in/out) to challenge core stability. Adding a creative touch into your ab workout will keep motivation high and results coming.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Bench Pushups
Bench Pushups are a great exercise to challenge your upper body and your core. Using the bench is also an effective option to reduce tension on your neck and shoulders, and still reap the strength benefits of push ups. Begin with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Extend your legs so you are on your toes only, and hold your body straight. Bending from your elbows, slowly lower your chest toward the bench. Pause for one second to break momentum. Next, extend both arms and return to your starting position to complete one rep. Do ten reps.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Seated Ab Exercise
Not all ab exercises involve a crunch on the floor. Target your abs in chair by performing this exercise super slow and controlled. This ab move strengthens your entire core, as well as your hip and thigh muscles. Form is important however, so be sure your posture is spot on. Begin seated on the front part of your chair with both feet flat on the floor. Sit up tall and place both arms across your chest. From your hips and keeping your back aligned, slowly lean back about 4-6 inches. Pause to break momentum, and then pulling your belly button in toward your spine, move your torso forward until you are sitting up straight again. Start with 10 slow and controlled reps. If you’d like a intermediate move, lean back, pause to un-weight your torso on the back of the chair for one second, then return to your starting position of sitting up tall.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise. This is not for those with low back injury concerns.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Reverse Plank for Core!
Begin seated on the floor. Place both hands flat on the ground just under your shoulders. Place both feet flat just forward of your knees. Lift up your hips. Hold for 10 seconds. Pull your shoulders down into your body, squeeze your glutes and pull your belly butting in toward your spine.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Strengthen your Core!
A strong core or center is important for all activities of daily living. We often carry items with only one hand, which means your core has to be strong to counter-balance your body. This is an example of functional fitness. You should strengthen your body to be able to perform its functions more easily and more effectively. Here’s a functional exercise to strengthen your core:
Begin lying on your back. Place both arms flat on the floor along side your body. Lift both legs up off the ground and move them in a bicycling motion for a count of 10. The key is to keep your torso and hips from rocking or shifting weight from side to side. Breathe as you go and focus on keeping your shoulders down flat on the floor.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Power Up your Pushups!
Think of pushups as a moving Plank exercise. This exercise is as much about your core, as it is your upper body muscles. Keep your abs tight and body straight. Pull your shoulders down into your body and tuck your chin in. If you’re up for a challenge: Only push up half-way. Pause for one or two seconds, then immediately lower your body down into the next rep. For even more muscle work, do one set to fatigue (in good form) at the end of your workout.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Plank to strengthen your entire core!
Strengthen your entire core with this plank variation. Here’s how to begin:
Begin in a plank with your toes and hands on the floor. Place your hands directly below your shoulders. Keep your belly button up. Next, lift your right hand and left foot up off the floor. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then release. Next, lift your left hand and right foot up off the floor. Hold for 2-3 seconds, and release. Repeat for 10 total repetitions.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Crunch-hold with both legs up!
To target your core try this crunch exercise:
Lie on your back on the floor. Lift both legs up, with your knees over your hips and your lower legs parallel to the floor. Next, lift your shoulder blades up off the floor to establish your starting position. For more of a challenge, extend both arms straight off the floor along the side of your body. Hold this position for 2 deep breaths or 10 seconds, then release. Do 3-5 reps.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise. This exercise is not for those with back injury concerns.
Get Fit Quick Tip:
Leg Raises for Total Core Strength.
Lie on your back. Place your arms wherever most comfortable to help maintaining neutral pelvis. Lift your right leg up off the floor about 2 feet, maintaining core stability, slowly lower your right about twelve inches. Immediately lift your left leg and slowly lower. Repeat leg raises 10 times total. This exercise is for intermediate exercisers, without injury concerns.
*Consult your physician before performing exercise.
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