Showing posts with label Weights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weights. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Leg Workout (Gym Goers)

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Here's a new leg workout! By leg I mean quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes! This workout WILL bring the pain, and results! Rah!   

I’ve done this workout twice a week for little over a month and   I’ve seen major improvement in the appearance and strength of my legs.

This workout will be a part of my four week challenge, so get acquainted with this one.  This workout is most effective when done in a gym.   However, it can be done at home (Click Here to go to the at home version of this workout) you just have to be a little creative and use body weight for some of the exercises. If you prefer to workout at home I strongly suggest you invest in some equipment.  If you don't have any dumbbell's at home  and you are in need a nice beginners set click here to purchase a set of dumbbells.  They come with a  nifty rack too. =)   If you don't want to use dumbbells, use resistance bands instead click here to check those out! 
If you are an experienced lifter, or advanced with fitness, you can do cardio BEFORE this regimen, never after. Why?  After this one, your legs should be too fatigued to do any cardio. So get that cardio in before, better yet do an a.m. cardio session then do your leg strengthening in the p.m.  

Lets talk cardio!  With this workout I have two cardio options for you.  You can either do the fit chick treadmill incline workout  (Click here to see that)  only do the incline workout, NOT the strength training part.  Or you can do my HIIT routine called the booty builder (Click here to see that)  If you decide to do the booty builder do no more than 3 rounds.   I want you to be able to push hard through the strength training.   If you are a beginner skip the cardio altogether do 50 jumping jacks and jump right into the workout. 

Here are some tips:
     ·         Always keep your core tight when doing squats
·         NEVER allow your knees to go over your toes
·         Keep your  eyes forward
·         When squatting; mimic the motion of sitting down in a chair
·         Rest in between sets.  Beginners rest for 60-90 seconds,  experienced: you know your body!
*You will be squatting and doing lunges so please if you have any knee or lower back problems, get clearance from your doctor BEFORE doing this workout*
Watch this video on the proper squatting and lunge technique.


Here’s the workout





Barbell squats: Do 5 drop sets of the following reps: 8, 8, 10, 10, 15.   For the  first two sets of 8 use a heavy weight,  for the next two sets of 10 decrease the weight  5 to 10 pounds .  For the last amount of reps drop down 5 pounds and squat for 15 reps or until you're at failure.  If you don’t feel comfortable doing drop sets .  Just do 5 sets of the weight of your choosing for 12 reps.  You don't have to use a barbell  if you don't feel comfortable, you can use dumbbells, kettle bell, weight plate, or body weight.

These next two exercises will be a superset:


Standing Calf Raises with weight/Deadlifts do 3 sets for 12-15 reps .

*** resume singles****
  • Split Squats 3 sets of 10 reps
  • Walking Lunges 2 sets of 20 reps  
  • Leg Extension Machine, you will be isolating your legs. Curl one leg at a time. Do 3 sets10 reps each.
  • Leg Curl Machine Do 3 sets 10 reps each. 
  • Sitting calf extension machine 3 sets until failure.
  • Hip abduction machine 3 sets for 10 reps
  • Leg Press 3 sets of 10.Advanced peeps do 5 sets till failure.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Activate Your Beast Mode Workout!

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Hello fitnation! I'm back with yet another workout.  I hope you all enjoyed the feeling feirce workout, I know I did! It was tougher than it looked on paper, thats for sure!  This new workout is a BEAST!  Hence the name "Beast Mode" You'll be doing 3-5 rounds depending on your fitness level. This workout really targets your abs/core! You should be feeling the after effects of this one the next day! Tip: when doing ab exercises DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH!   For added muscle recruitment, exhaling forcefully as you exert, even pausing for a moment at the top of the sit-up, involves maximal abdominal muscle fiber involvement as they contract to help the lungs expel the air.

Read more on proper breathing techniques during ab work here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/131777-proper-breathing-during-sit-ups/#ixzz1x1iy4ogQ
Now let's get to the workout!

Beast Mode can be done in 3 to 5 rounds depending on your fitness level. These exercises are to be performed in circuit format (meaning one after another)  Equipment needed: NONE. Unless you have a jumprope for the 1 minute of high knees.

The workout

180 degree burpees  10 reps

Alternating Knee to Elbow touches  20 reps 

Santana Pushups 10 reps

Jacknife with medicine ball/weights or without 20 reps

Jump Rope/ High Knee running in place/ Jumping Jacks  (you pick)  do this for 1 to 2 minutes. 
Beginners 1 minute  Advanced 2 minutes
Take a sip of water and repeat 2-4 more times!



How to perform these exercises:

180 degree burpee's



Alternating knee to elbow


Santana Push ups



Jacknife



High Knees



Monday, June 4, 2012

Feeling Fierce Workout











O. My. GOD!  I haven't posted on my blog in awhile! Did you miss me? Did you miss my workouts?  I've been creating new ones on my hiatus so you're in for a treat.  I won't bore you with what I've been up to, cause more than likely if you are following my blog you're following me on Fit Chick's facebook page. It's great to be back, and I promise you, I'll be kicking your butt with my workouts more frequently.  Let's get to it!! WHOOP!

This workout will be done for 5 rounds for time. For time means you'll time yourself to see how long it takes you to complete this workout. It's not about speed though! Don't sacrifice proper form for speed. Remember  quality over quantity. All you'll need for this workout is weights,  a water bottle ( for sips throughout the workout), and bad assery! lol! ;)  I suggest scaling down your usual heavy lifting.  You'll be doing shoulder presses and bicep curls 20reps for each round, and since it's five rounds  I don't think I'll be doing 35lb shoulder presses for 20 reps and 5 rounds I'm just sayin'. However, if you can handle it --have at it...but still I don't recommend it!  I worry! As usual I will provide video's on how to execute these exercises properly--cause I care! *wink* and *smiles*  Bring that Fit Chick Fierce-ness! ;)

Warm up before you workout get those muscles nice and toasty. Start your stop watch and begin!

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THE WORKOUT:  5 rounds for time!
Squat to shoulder press 20 reps

Low Jacks (Squat Jacks) 20 reps

Mason Twists w/ weight 20 reps

Mountain Climbers 30 reps

Lunge w/ bicep curl 20 reps



HOW TO PERFORM EXERCISES:


Squat to shoulder press


Squat Jacks


Mason Twists


Mountain Climbers

Lunge with bicep curls
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Monday, January 9, 2012

Bicep, Triceps, and Shoulders. Oh My!

I'm sharing my brand spanking new arm workout with you today! Why? Because I love you. I really do. *smile*  This workout is awesome!( I say that about all my workouts don't I? haha!)  On strength training days, I usually do HIIT with it. I would suggest you do the Go Hard Or Go Home workout before or after you do this arm regimen, do 5 rounds of the Go hard or Go Home workout , coupled with this arm workout, it will send your fat burn into overdrive! 
 I love, love, love lifting weights. Why? Because, it's the best way to burn fat, and sculpt your body. You want some banging curves? Lift weights! You want lean sexy arms? Do this workout 2-3x's a week! Don't be afraid to lift heavy! The heavier you lift the more fat you'll burn. Don't worry you will not look like a man. You don't have the testosterone to look like that. I overheard a trainer at the YMCA say to a female client: " lift like a man, look like a goddess." So, put down those 5 lb dumbbells honey! Stop lifting like a girl!  If you can curl 5's for more than 10-12 reps, without feeling the burn, time to move up to a heavier weight.  Weight lifting doesn't just build muscle, it burns fat and rev's up your metabolism. Next time you’re in the gym, safely and gradually up your resistance just a little. Then continue challenging yourself in the workouts to follow to see what you’re capable of. You will surprise yourself with your new found strength.
Copy this workout into your notebook, so you won't forget. I'll include video's on how to properly perform each exercise after the breakdown.  Enjoy the workout, and get strong fit chicks! Go to the gym and punch this workout in the face! GET SOME!

TIPS

* Do each exercise 3 times each for 10 reps
*You can do this workout in a  tri-super set
*Choose your weight wisely and honestly.
*Rest between exercises, if you are a beginner rest 90 seconds; as you progress 30 seconds is fine.
*You are supposed to be at failure at the 10th  rep. Don’t just go out and do 10 repetitions of any weight and stop when you do the 10th rep, even if you could have done more. What’s the point in that? When lifting, you need to choose a weight heavy enough that it forces you to failure at the tenth repetition.
*Sip water throughout your workout
*Form is very important,  Do everything slowly, controlling your motions with the muscles you are working, rather than letting momentum or gravity take control.
*Warm-up and stretch before you hit the weights, stretch after your done.

Biceps
____________________

  • Bicep Curls
  • Hammer Curls
  • Preacher Curls
  • Isolated Bicep Curls
Triceps
_____________________
  • Tricep pull downs
  • Tricep Kick Back
  • Skull Crushers
  • Single Cable Tricep Pull downs

Shoulders
__________________

  • Military Press
  • Front Raise
  • Lateral Raise
  • Arnold Press