| The 20-Minute Total Body
Workout
1. NARROW PUSHUP -- 1
MINUTE
We'll start with the
tough stuff: This
exercise will work
your chest,
shoulders, and
triceps (the muscles
at the backs of your
upper arms). Assume
a knees-on-the-floor,
feet-crossed pushup position,
but move your hands together so your thumbs and
index fingers touch (as shown here). The space
between your hands should form a triangle. This
variation gives your triceps a better workout than a
basic pushup. (To further challenge yourself, use
your feet, rather than your knees, for support; to
ease up, position your hands under your shoulders,
a little wider than shoulder-width apart.) Complete
as many pushups as you can in 1 minute. It's okay to
rest when you need to.
2. DOOR SQUAT -- 2 MINUTES
This exercise will tone your hamstrings (the muscles
in the backs of your thighs), quadriceps (the muscles
at the fronts of your thighs), and butt. First, open a
sturdy door (make sure it's firmly hinged) and loop a
towel around each knob. Hold both ends of the
towel in your hands. Stand with your arms fully
extended in front of you and your feet
shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back straight,
squat until the tops of your thighs are almost parallel
to the floor. Be sure to keep your weight firmly over
your heels. Now rise to the standing position. That's
1 repetition. Do a total of 20 repetitions. Next
spread your feet slightly wider than hip-width,
turning your feet so that they point slightly away
from each other. Now do 20 more reps.
3. THE SUPERWOMAN -- 1 MINUTE
Lie face down on a mat with your arms extended
over your head. Raise your right arm and left leg
simultaneously until you feel gentle tension in your
lower back. Resist twisting your torso or raising
your other hip or shoulder at the same time. Hold
for 5 seconds, then slowly lower. Repeat using your
other arm and leg. Complete the series as many
times as you can in 1 minute.
4. RUNNING IN PLACE/JACKS -- 1 MINUTE
Alternating a few sets of calisthenics with an aerobic
interval helps keep your heart rate elevated
throughout the routine. For this set of aerobic
moves, run in place for 30 seconds, then
immediately do 15 jumping jacks.
5. REVERSE LUNGE -- 2 MINUTES
This move will help firm your butt and legs. Stand
straight with your hands on your hips. Keeping your
left leg straight, step back with your left foot as far
as you can; then lower your left knee until it nearly
touches the floor, or as low as you can. Your right
knee should automatically bend to a 90-degree
angle. Lift yourself back into the starting position,
tightening your butt muscles as you go. Repeat 10 to
15 times with your left leg, then work your right
leg.
6. ONE-LEGGED CALF RAISE -- 2 MINUTES
Stand with your left forefoot on the edge of a step
so that your left heel hangs off the edge. Wrap your
right foot around your left ankle and grab a railing or
wall for balance. Rise up onto your toes, then slowly
lower yourself until your heel falls slightly below the
step. Repeat 12 to 20 times, then switch to work
the right leg. (If you don't have a step, you can just
lift yourself off the floor. This variation won't
challenge your calf muscles as much, so try holding
yourself in the raised position for a 2-second count.)
7. LATERAL RAISE -- 2 MINUTES
Stand straight with your left hand on your hip and a
weight or heavy book (a dictionary, the phone
book, whatever) in your right hand. Slowly lift your
right arm out to the side until it's parallel to the floor.
Hold for a second, then slowly lower it back to your
side. Repeat 12 to 20 times, then switch sides.
8. SHOULDER RAISE -- 1 MINUTE
Stand with your arms straight out from your sides,
parallel to the floor. Slowly rotate both arms
forward as if you were drawing 6-inch-diameter
circles with your fingertips. Continue for 30
seconds, then draw backward circles for 30
seconds.
9. LEG LIFT -- 3 MINUTES
This exercise targets the hamstrings and buttocks.
Get down on your hands and knees. Press your left
knee forward, then slowly extend the leg behind you
until it's in line with your back. Lower your leg
slowly, and again press the knee forward. Do 20
repetitions with each leg.
10. CRUNCH -- 3 MINUTES
Start with a basic crunch to work your upper
abdominals: Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat
on the floor, hands lightly touching the back of your
head, elbows out. Keeping your lower back
pressed to the floor, slowly curl your head and
shoulders up, then lower them back down. Do as
many repetitions as you can in 1 minute.
Next, add a twist to work your oblique muscles: As
you lift, twist your upper body to bring your right
shoulder toward your left knee. Then twist to the
right, drawing your left shoulder toward your right
knee. Alternate from side to side for as many
repetitions as you can for 1 minute. Then work the
lower abdominals with reverse crunches. Lift your
knees so your shins are parallel to the floor. Then
slowly curl your knees toward your chest, pressing
your lower back into the floor and your navel
toward your spine. Lower again and repeat for 1
minute.
11. COOLDOWN -- 2 MINUTES
Completed that final rep? Don't just collapse onto
the couch and grab the remote. Cool down and
stretch first to keep your muscles from getting sore.
Start by walking for 2 minutes or so, until your heart
rate slows and your breathing returns to normal.
Finish with a few good stretches, like these:
For your hamstrings: Lie on your back with your
left leg bent and left foot flat on the floor. Lift your
right leg straight up, clasp your hands behind your
right thigh, and gently stretch the leg toward your
chest. Repeat with your left leg.
For your quadriceps: Steadying yourself against a
wall with your right hand, bend your left knee, grab
your foot with your left hand, and pull your heel
toward your buttocks. Stand as straight as possible
as you stretch. Repeat with your right leg.
For your shoulders and arms: Clasp your hands
behind your back and draw your shoulder blades
together as close as is comfortable.
by women.com,
prevention.com http://www.healthyideas.com/weight/buzz/20min/step2.html
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