The weather's getting nicer, and you know what that means...your winter clothes are coming off, and your tanks and bikinis are coming on! And that’s a good thing, because these five moves will summer-tone you in no time. Jayme Boyle, group fitness director for Equinox gyms,designed a plan to firm up everything you’ve been ignoring all winter. Do this routine three times a week with your regular cardio and you’ll see results in a month!!
Toning Move #1: Tank Top Cross Arm Punch
works shoulders, biceps, triceps
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands in fists by shoulders and elbows by sides. Bend knees and twist torso left as you punch with right arm, as shown. Return to center; repeat on opposite side. Continue punching from side to side for 20 counts, then extend arms out at shoulder height in a T, palms down. Hold for 10 counts; return to start. That’s one set; work up to four sets.
Toning Move #2: Short Shorts Twisting Lunge
works butt, hips, thighs, calves
With feet hip-width apart, squat as if you were to sit in a chair and reach arms overhead, palms in. Hold 10 counts. Then step right foot back into a lunge, twist torso left and reach right hand to floor as you raise left arm up, as shown. Bring right foot forward and switch legs (left hand to floor, right arm up). Do 20 lunges; return to start. That’s one set; work up to three sets
Toning Move #3: Miniskirt Leg Kickback
works butt, hips, hamstrings
On all fours, lift left leg, knee bent, toward ceiling until thigh is parallel to the floor, foot flexed, as shown. Pulse left heel a few inches up and down for 20 counts (it’s a small but effective movement). Then straighten left leg out to the side, toes just skimming the ground and hold for 10 counts. Return to start and switch legs. That’s one set; work up to three set
Toning Move #4: Bare Dress Swim-to-Plank
works chest, arms, back, abs
Lie facedown with arms and legs extended. Lift right arm and left leg off the floor as high as you can, as shown, and lower. Switch sides and repeat for 20 counts, alternating sides the whole time. Then get into plank position (it should look like the top of a push-up: hands under shoulders; body in a straight line from head to heels) and hold for 10 counts. That’s one set; do two sets.
Toning Move #5: Bikini Abs Leg Roll
works upper and lower abs
Lie on your back; hug knees toward chest in a ball, shoulder blades off the floor. Pull belly button toward your spine and extend both legs out as arms reach back overhead, keeping head and shoulder blades off the ground, as shown. Bring knees to chest again, quickly reaching out and in 20 times. Hold ball position for 10 counts. That’s one set; do three sets
To all my fellow students out there: we all know it's difficult to fit a workout into our crazy schedules. Not for long! These easy workouts can take you from flab to fab in just a few weeks. Remember, every last bit makes a difference, no matter how small the change. Not everyone has a gym membership or the time to go do a vigorous workout, so these few workouts are just for you!
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| Toothbrush Squats |
1. Tooth Brush Wall Squats
Instead of standing over the sink for those couple minutes while you're brushing your teeth, try leaning against the nearest wall with your legs extended about shoulder length. Slowly bend your knees, causing yourself to slide down, until you reach a seated position. Start out by holding the squat for 30 seconds (working your way up to one or two minutes) and then come back up for a few seconds to give yourself a break. Now the goal is to do this every time you brush your teeth (so probably twice a day). This is one of the best ways to tone your butt and legs in such a short period of time!
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| Commercial Break Plank |
2. Commercial Break Plank
Let's be honest, commercials are an excuse to run to the kitchen to get more snacks to nosh on. Not anymore! Use commercial breaks to get your heart rate pumping and your abs burning. As soon as there's a commercial break, using the couch as a stable support (if you don't have a couch you can do the plank on the floor), place your forearms on the arms of the couch and make sure your body is straight, legs about arms width apart, abs tightly engaged. Try to see if you can hold the plank for a full commercial, rest for 20 seconds, then go back to the plank. By the end of a show, you will be feeling fit and fab!
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| Just Dance! |
3. Dance Your Butt Off-- literally!
We all know how to do it, but some of us may not realize just how great dancing is for your body. Next time your at a party or in the city at a club, take all the time you can showing off your moves on that dance floor. Dancing is the ultimate cardio workout, especially when you dance for hours at a time. Make sure you keep your body moving the entire time. If you can get out and dance a couple times a week, your body will be forever grateful! And it's also fun, so that's a definite plus.
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| Ride Your Bike to Class |
4. Ride Your Bike
Forget the school bus, or driving--instead, start the day off with an energy boost by sneaking a bike workout in on the way to school! Not only will you save a bunch of gas money and energy by biking, but it is one of the best ways to boost your metabolism and tone your entire body. Making this simple change will definitely pay off in the long run. If you don't have a bike, try parking further away so you force yourself to fit in a longer walk to class. One small change at a time will make all the difference.
