Get Fit Quick Tip:

Strength and Balance: All in One Exercise

Build leg strength, core stability and balance, all in one exercise. Here’s how:

Stand on your right leg only. Hold both arms out to your sides for balance. Bend forward from your hips and keep your spine aligned. Tuck your chin in and look down at the floor. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then release. Stand on your left leg only, and repeat the exercise. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. To progress: Place both arms across your chest and extend the duration of your hold to 20-30 seconds.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Strength and Balance: All in One Exercise

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Add an Exercise Band to your Lunge!

Hold both ends of the exercise band securely with each hand. Place your right foot on top of the band, so the band is securely under your arch. Step back with your left foot about 3 feet, so your right knee is directly over your right ankle. Bend both arms and hold the band into your body. Next, bend both knees and lower your body down toward the floor 10-12 inches. Straighten both knees to complete one rep. Do 10-12 reps with your right leg forward. To release, straight both arms and bend forward to put slack on the band, then carefully step off of the band. Repeat placing your left foot on the band.

*This exercise is for intermediate/advanced exercisers without injury considerations.

**Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Add an Exercise Band

Question:

Answer: When time is limited, the best way to make use of it is through circuit training. In circuit style programming, you will perform one set of each of your strength exercises immediately after one another prior to beginning your second round. This keeps the workout fast paced, increases lean body mass through the use of resistance exercise (which burns more calories 24 hours per day), and allows you to maximize your caloric burning potential.  Remember, “shaping up” any part of your body is a combination of body fat loss and increased lean body mass.  An example of a circuit style workout could include: 
 
Lunge with Overhead Press. Stand with your right foot about three feet in front of your left. Hold a weight in each hand in front of your body about chest level, with your elbows bent. Bend your left knee toward the floor, lowering your body down. Upon raising back up lift both weights overhead. Change legs and perform with your left foot forward.
Ball Crunch. Sit on a stability ball, and walk out so the ball is under your low back and you’re lying flat on top of the ball. Keeping your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent, curl your torso up about half way. Return to your starting position.
Ball Squat Curl. Hold a stability ball behind your low back against the wall. Hold a weight in each hand. Bend from your knees and hips, and sit back into a squat. As you stand back up, bend your elbows and perform a bicep curl.
 
Erin A. McGill, MA, NASM CPT, CES, PES
Training Manager
National Academy of Sports Medicine
erin.mcgill@nasm.org

Ask A Pro by Erin McGill