rsz_2559147324_d62947d3f1_o

Don’t let not getting to the gym one day totally derail your workout plans. Keep a set of ten pound dumbbells around that you can pull out at a moments notice and get your burn on before you go about the rest of your day. If you’re thinking ten pounds sounds like a joke, think again. It can be good for the body to mix things up and hit different muscle fibers, and if you’re going to use ten pound weight anywhere it makes the most sense in your home, right? These moves can work the whole body in a different way than you’re used to.

The Balancing Toe Touch

For this exercise you will start in a crab walk position, and hold a single dumbbell in one of your hands. (Crab walk is hands and feet on the ground, midsection off the ground and facing up.) Then comes the reach part, where you will extend the arm holding the weight and the opposite. Try to actually touch your toe with the weight and then return back to the starting position. Go through three sets of ten on each side, switching sides between each set.

The Overhead Squat

Start with your legs shoulder width apart and the raise the dumbbells above your head. Squat down into the squat position while keeping your abs engaged, until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Don’t let your knees or the weights drop forward. Come back up to standing position, all while continuing to hold the weights above your head. Aim to do five different sets of 10.

Rotating Punches

For this exercise you will start in a standing position with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold one dumbbell in each hand with your arms tucked closely to your sides and engaged. Then you will twist to the left by pivoting on your left foot and punching out your left arm as you go. Come back to center and then switch to the other side. The punch should be explosive enough that you have to work to control it and pull it back in. Try to do each round of three for about 30 seconds of alternating punches.

The Push-Up Alternating Curl

For this workout you will get into a pushup position but instead of leaving your hands on the floor you will grip a dumbbell in each hand, so that your palms are facing each other. Basically you will continue to hold the pushup position like you would a plank, except that we’re adding an extra movement by lifting one dumbbell at a time in a curl up to your shoulder. Try to only move the lower half of your arm as you do so and keep your upper arm firmly planted. Then you will switch to the other side and continue alternating for up to a minute if you can. To keep you form safe while you alternate curls, be sure and keep your abs engaged and don’t let you back arch or your rear drop. This move will work the entire body since it forces you to stay engaged and use your balance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *