Spider Jump

Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week!  This week I have a core and cardiovascular exercise for you to try called the Spider Jump.  This is a challenging exercise that will get you sweating and your heart pumping.  

The Spider Jump is a modification of the Running Mountain Climber and it will work your whole body but more specifically your abdominals and hip flexors.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Spider Jump.

  • start in a full plank position with your abs and glutes flexed and your hands directly under your shoulders
  • bring your left foot up and to the side of your body towards your left hand (if you’re flexible enough try to place your left foot just to the outside of your left hand)
  • from this position jump your right foot up towards the outside of your right hand while at the same time jumping your left foot back to the starting position
  • now jump your left foot up beside your left hand again while jumping your right foot back
  • keep jumping back and forth between your left and right foot until you reach your desired amount of reps or time
  • you can regress this movement to an easier version by stepping your feet up instead of jumping

So there you have the Spider Jump.  It’s not necessarily a fan favourite with my clients (I usually get a collective groan when I bust this one out) but very effective nonetheless!

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Bicycle Twist

Hello HomeBody Training followers, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week!  This week I have a great core exercise for you to try called the Bicycle Twist.

The Bicycle Twist is going to work your upper and lower abs, obliques, hip flexors, and lower back.  This exercise requires a bit of coordination and can be a bit tricky to get the movement going smoothly but once you get it I think you will enjoy this one a lot.  I know I do but I’m weird that way. 😉 

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Bicycle Twist.

  • sit down on your mat with your knees bent and lean back until your upper body is around a 45 degree angle
  • clasp your hands together, engage your abs, and raise your feet off the floor
  • from this starting position rotate to the right while flexing your abs and extending your left leg forward
  • now rotate your upper body all the way to the left side while bringing in your left leg and extending your right leg forward
  • keep rotating your body and extending your legs in a slow and controlled movement
  • repeat for your desired amount of reps or time

So there you have the Bicycle Twist!  You can make this even more challenging by holding on to a medicine ball, dumbbell, kettlebell, baby, or anything you have at home that can add resistance! 

Let me know how you like the Bicycle Twist and if you have any questions in the comments below.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Two Arm Bent Over Dumbbell Row

Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week!  This time I have a dumbbell exercise for you called the Two Arm Bent Over Dumbbell Row.  This is a great compound exercise to work your lats, rhomboids, rear delts, traps, and biceps.

If you don’t have a set of dumbbells that’s ok, you can use any two objects that are equally balanced like a couple of water jugs.

Let’s take a look at how to do the Two Arm Bent Over Dumbbell Row properly.

  • hold a dumbbell or heavy object in each hand and stand with your feet about shoulder width apart
  • bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward by bending at the waist
  • keep bending forward while keeping your back as straight as possible until your torso is almost parallel to the floor
  • from this bent over position, exhale and pull the dumbbells up and towards you while keeping your elbows tucked in to your sides
  • squeeze your back muscles and your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement
  • pause for a second and then inhale and lower the weights to the starting position
  • repeat for your desired repetitions

So there you have the Two Arm Bent Over Dumbbell Row.  This is one of the best compound exercises for you back and you will build a lot of strength and help prevent a lot of back injuries with this exercise.

Let me know how you do with this one in the comment section below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Back, Bicep, and Core Workout

Hey everyone!  It’s Home Exercise of the Week time and I have the third part here for you of the three part split routine.  This week we are going to do the Back, Bicep, and Core Workout.  This routine is going to get your arms looking strong and toned and is going to strengthen the ever important muscles of the back.  Strong back and core muscles help prevent back problems as you age and especially if you spend many hours at a desk job, not to mention how great a strong back looks!

This Back, Bicep, and Core Workout does have some dumbbell exercises in them so if you have a set that’s great but if not then grab some stuff around the house that you can lift and curl like heavy soup cans, water bottles, pets, children, etc! 😉

Have fun, work hard, sweat a lot, and be awesome!

Back, Bicep, and Core Workout

Warm-Up

  • 10 Pushups
  • 12 Spiderman Climbs
  • 10 Spinal Rotations for each side
  • 10 Shoulder Circles for each arm

Superset 1

Rest for 30 to 60 seconds then repeat the superset 2 more times

Superset 2

Rest for 30 to 60 seconds then repeat the superset 2 more times

Superset 3

Rest for 30 to 60 seconds then repeat the superset 2 more times

Quick Glute Firming Workout

Hey there!  It’s time for a new Home Workout of the Week.  Everyone is looking to firm up their backside and to do that you need to strengthen and challenge your glutes.  With glutesthis Glute Firming Workout you will do just that.  You’re butt and legs are going to be screaming at you but it’ll be worth it!  You’ll also be working your core as well as burning a lot of calories due to the cardiovascular nature of circuit training.

Make sure you properly warm up, perform 3 rounds of each superset, then stretch.

Click on the links to see video demonstrations of the exercises.

 

Glute Firming Circuit

Warm-Up

  • 12 Bodyweight Squats
  • 12 Glute Bridges
  • 12 Spiderman Climbs
  • 10 Spinal Rotations for each side
  • 10 Shoulder Circles for each arm

Superset

Rest 1 minute then repeat the superset 2 more times