Friday, August 19, 2011

Who doesn't like to improve their BUTT!

Here you go...
5 Must-Do Butt Exercises
We all want a nice booty, right?
In corporate the following best backside exercises in your regular strength routine and you'll burn fat, shape and firm your booty, sculpt surrounding muscle groups, and rev up your metabolism.

1.Kettlebell Swings
Kettlebell swings combine strength and cardio training to redefine your backside. In addition to toning your glutes and hip flexors, you'll work your core and cardiovascular system (an all-in-one exercise). Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.  Place the kettlebell about one foot in front of you. Push your hips backward (like you're standing over the toilet), with a slight bend in the knee (shins almost vertical) and reach forward, placing both hands on the kettlebell.  From your "hike position" (hips pushed backward, back flat, and chest out) hike the kettlebell behind you, with a purpose (don't let go).Drive your hips forward, while contracting your glutes and tucking your tailbone under, to swing the kettlebell(always above the knees) until you are standing at "attention" with your hands about chest height.
Important Tips: Always make sure to keep your abs tight (this will keep your lower back protected.)  Keep your neck in line with the rest of your spine. Always drive the swing with your hips and NOT your arms.  If the bell ever gets too far out in front of you, never reach for it- just let it drop!

2.Lunges
Lunges are a workout staple that will firm your butt and tone your legs. Start with your feet hip width apart, then step forward with one leg. Keeping your abs tight, chest high, and spine straight, sink down into the move until your front thigh is parallel to the floor and your back knee is almost touching the ground. Concentrate on squeezing your glutes as you push through your front heel back to the starting position. Important tip: don't let your moving knee extend past your toes. 

3.Step Ups
This is a great exercise for your butt as well as your quads and calves. Step ups also increase your heart rate so you'll get the extra benefit of fat-blasting cardio. Stand with your right foot firmly planted on a step or a bench, your left foot on the floor. Push down through your right heel to straighten and stand on your right leg, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. At the same time, pull your left leg forward and up, knee bent 90 degrees and raised waist-high. Lower your left leg back to the ground, and then step your right foot down. Alternate legs to make one rep. 

4.Hip Extensions
Like lunges, hip extensions can be performed anywhere and without equipment. The key to this movement is positioning your weight so that your butt does the brunt of the work, not your legs. On your hands and knees, you'll focus the main effort in your glutes and lower back without involving your hamstrings. Tighten your core and squeeze your butt to lift one leg toward the ceiling, keeping the 90 degree bend and flexing your foot so you're reaching with your heel as you raise your thigh in line with your spine. Keep the movement slow and controlled to the top and then back down again. 

5.One-Legged Deadlifts
One-legged deadlifts do triple duty, activating your muscles for a highly effective toning session that works your butt, hamstrings, and lower back. Holding a kettlebell/dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip width apart, knees soft. Keeping your weight firmly on your left leg, lean forward from your hips, reaching the dumbbells toward your left foot and raising your right leg out behind you. Remember to keep your core tight and not round your back. Now stand straight, squeezing your glutes as you come back to start. Do a full series of reps before switching to your right leg for the second half of the set.
In case you're not a current member of our Kettlebell Boot Camp, we cover all of these great exercises and much more. Call today for more information....
Committed to Your Health & Fitness,
Debbie 

Here is a quick weekend workout for you just for your BUTT:)
Get a timer or near a clock.
1 minute KB Swings
30 seconds right leg front lunge 
30 seconds left leg front lunge
1 minute alternating step-ups ( use the steps or a chair)
30 seconds Hip Extensions right leg ( I call them donkey kicks in class)
30 seconds left leg
1 minute KB Swings
30 seconds right leg Deadlift
30 Second left leg Deadlift
1 minute alternating step-ups
Rest 90 seconds
repeat 1 or 2 more times  Don't forget to warm-up and cool down:)

Friday, August 12, 2011

Weekend Workout done Anywhere!

Weekend  Ladder Workout!

Don't worry I save the HELL LADDERS for class!

Happy Friday!
Here’s a total body fat-burning, metabolic workout you can do literally ANYWHERE.  You don’t need any equipment (other than a bench or a chair) and it’s guaranteed to kick your booty!

Weekend Ladder Workout: 

Warm Up: 5 min with a light jog or  jumping jacks and stretch.   A good dynamic workout I like to use in our boot camp is:
    • 30 sec body-weight squats
    • 30 sec alternating reverse lunges
    • 30 sec push-ups
    • 30 sec sit-ups
    • 30 sec mountain climbers
    • repeat
The Workout Details:  Now that you’re nice and warm.  Start with 10 reps of EACH exercise.  Once you finish 10 reps of each, complete 9 reps of each exercise, and then 8, and so on until you reach 1 repetition of each exercise!  If you are just starting out, you can use rep counts of 10, 8, 6….2.  This is a fun one :-)  Don’t forget to comment below if you like the workout!

Here are the Exercises for the Ladder:

  • Step-Ups (starting with 10 with the LEFT leg)
  • Step-Ups (10 with the RIGHT leg)
  • Dips
  • Burpees!
  • Full Sit-Ups 
Done!  Make sure you cool down and stretch out WELL!  Hope you enjoy the workout and have a great weekend!
Step-up can been done on the steps or on a bench at the park. You don't need a "Step"

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Women to Women

One of the newsletters I subscribe to is Women to Women, it gives lots of information about different things from thyroid problems to menopause. I just read this article by Dr Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP titled  Eating for Adrenals- more energy, better sleep. The link is below for you to take a look.

http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalhealth/adrenalglandfunction-nutrition.aspx?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Spinach, Mango, and Red Quinoa Salad (with Chicken)

  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 small carrot, shredded
  • 2 Tablespoons red onion, minced
  • 1/4 cup red quinoa, cooked
  • 1/4 cup ripe mango, diced
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 2 Tablespoons lowfat salad dressing (Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing)
  1. Place the spinach, carrot, onion, quinoa, mango, and chicken in a medium bowl. Toss with dressing.
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 248 calories, 4.7g fat, 301mg sodium, 25.5g carbohydrate, 3.4g fiber, and 25.5g protein.

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