Comments Off on Strengthen Upper Body and Core Muscles

Strengthen Upper Body and Core Muscles

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

Here are two exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen upper body and core muscles.
 
That’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Push-up with Rotation
Begin in a push-up position (on knees or toes) holding light hand weights. Your body should be in a plank position from shoulders to knees (or feet). Perform on push-up then lift one weight and rotate your body to a side plank position. Bring weight to your shoulder and then straighten your elbow and reach toward ceiling. Hold side plank for a moment and then lower weight to your shoulder and return to starting position. Repeat on the other side…continue alternating arms until you complete 10 times (5 to each side)
 
More Challenge: Do push-ups on your toes instead of your knees.
 
Exercise #2: Tricep Kickback with Hip Extension
Begin on hands & knees holding light hand weights. Bring one elbow up beside your rib cage or slightly higher and then extend (straighten) your elbow. Your elbow should remain locked in at your side throughout the exercise so the ONLY joint that is moving is your elbow (bending and straightening).
 
More Challenge: Make this into a full-body exercise by extending your your opposite leg straight back simultaneously with your arm extension. Adding the leg movement will strengthen your core and glutes.
 
 
Do you want to learn more hand weight exercises to strengthen your upper body and core muscles?
Contact us at info@xofitness.com

Comments Off on Stability Ball Exercises Part 3

Stability Ball Exercises Part 3

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

Here are two stability ball exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen your core, glutes and hamstrings.
 
That’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Bridge with feet on ball
Begin lying on back with feet resting on ball. Lift your body off of the mat so you are in a straight line from your shoulders to your heels. Hold for 5-10 counts; lower down and repeat.
 
More Challenge: Lift your hands off the floor so that your core has to work harder to stabilize you. Add waving your hands in the air to make it even more difficult.
 
Exercise #2: Leg Curl
Begin lying on back with feet resting on ball. Lift your body off of the mat so you are in a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.  Bend knees rolling ball toward you; then straighten legs rolling the ball away. You may need to return to the floor after every rep when you first start. Build up to 5 at a time and eventually to 10 in a row.
 
More Challenge: Make it a single leg curl…lift one foot off the ball!
Want more exercises like these? Contact us! info@xofitness.com
 

Comments Off on Stability Ball Exercises Part 2

Stability Ball Exercises Part 2

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

Here are two stability ball exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen your core, glutes and balance.
 
That’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Seated Single Leg Balance
Begin in a seated position. Sit tall with shoulders directly over hips and spine in neutral. DO NOT let your hips tuck under into a pelvic tilt. Lift one foot from floor and hold it there while you count to five (or ten). Switch feet. Repeat five times with each leg.
 
Exercise #2: Bridge
Begin in a seated position and then walk your feet away from the ball until your head and shoulders are resting on the ball as shown on video. Feet should be about hip distance apart. Shoulders, hips and knees should be in one straight line. Next, lower hips toward the floor 6-8 inches and squeeze glutes to lift back up into a straight bridge. The ball should remain stationary. Repeat 15x
 
More Challenge: Hold hand weight resting on your upper leg while you perform this exercise.
 
Want to learn more stability ball and core exercises? Contact us! info@xofitness.com

Comments Off on Tone your legs and glutes

Tone your legs and glutes

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

 Here are two kickboxing drills you can do anytime, anywhere to improve balance and tone  your legs and glutes. 
 
That’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Step back lunge and front kick
Step straight back…make it a BIG step so that you can drop down into a lunge. If your front knee is over your toes you need to take a bigger step. Then drive rear leg forward leading with the knee and extend the leg out straight.  Repeat 10 on each side.
 
Exercise #2: Curtsy squat and side kick
Step one foot behind the other and drop down into a curtsy squat as shown. Then execute a side kick bringing the leg up and out to the side. The knee should be bent as you bring the leg up, and finish by kicking the leg out straight and parallel to the floor. Knee cap and toe should be pointed straight ahead NOT at the ceiling. Repeat 10 on each side.
If you are struggling with your balance and unable to perform these use a chair for balance so that you can effectively tone your legs and glutes.
 
Want more exercises like these? Contact Karin! karin@xofitness.com

Comments Off on Core Exercises for Obliques and Glutes

Core Exercises for Obliques and Glutes

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

 
Here are two core exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen obliques and glutes (specifically gluteus medius)….that’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Mermaids
Do it right: When performing this core exercise be sure not to cheat by using your hand to push off of the floor that way you will challenge the oblique abdominal muscles more effectively.
 
Exercise #2: Clams 
Do it right: Get the most out of this exercise by placing your hand on your hip to assure your hips are stacked. If you allow your upper hip to roll back even a little you won’t recruit the gluteus medius properly. If you can do more than 10-15 of  these without your glutes burning your are probably NOT positioned correctly.
 
 
 
If you have questions or would like to learn more exercises like these contact Karin: karin@xofitness.com

Comments Off on Core Exercises: Push-Ups and Planks

Core Exercises: Push-Ups and Planks

Category : Exercise

Two for You!

 
Here are two core exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen glute, upper body and core muscles….that’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
Exercise #1: Push-ups with child’s pose stretch is one of my client’s favorite ways to do push-ups. This provides a break between push-ups which makes it a little easier for beginners but still strengthens the core and upper body.
 
Exercise #2: Planks with a single leg lift will challenge not only the core, but the glutes.  
 
If you have questions or would like to learn more exercises like these contact Karin: karin@xofitness.com

Comments Off on Strengthen Glute, Inner Thigh and Core muscles

Strengthen Glute, Inner Thigh and Core muscles

Category : Exercise

Two for You! Here are two exercises you can do anytime, anywhere to strengthen glute, inner thigh and core muscles….that’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
Exercise #1: Single leg bridges will help you build a better butt. 
 
Exercise #2: Single leg adductor (inner thigh) lifts will strengthen both your inner thigh and core muscles IF you are mindful about moving slowly through the movement and keeping your core muscles braced so that you DON’T MOVE any other part of your body besides your working leg.
 
If you have questions or would like to learn more exercises like these contact Karin: karin@xofitness.com
 

Comments Off on Core Exercise: Two for You!

Core Exercise: Two for You!

Category : Exercise

Here are two core exercises you can do anytime, anywhere….that’s the purpose of our exercise blog…to introduce new and fun exercises that you can do at home with little or no equipment because we know you can’t always get to the gym!
 
These two exercises are fun and challenging variations on the traditional bird dog.  Exercise #1 will work your abdominal muscles, back and obliques.  Exercise #2 will work your gluteals…especially the gluteus medius.
 
 
If you have questions or would like to learn more core exercises like these, contact Karin: karin@xofitness.com
 

Comments Off on Partner Training Medicine Ball Exercise #3: Balance & Optional Lunge

Partner Training Medicine Ball Exercise #3: Balance & Optional Lunge

Category : Exercise

These Medicine Ball Exercise are great for your balance, core strength and lower body (if you add the lunge back).

First try balancing on one foot and playing catch with you partner. The more you engage your core the better your balance with be, so stay focused!

Once you master balancing on one foot, try adding in the step back lunge to increase the intensity level and strengthen your lower body.

 

 Do you need a med ball for home? We recommend Perform Better

At XO Fitness, we offer partner training. It’s fun and more economical than training on your own. If you are interested in working out with a loved one or a friend, contact us for details! 920-339-0630

 

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Build a Better Butt #6

Category : Exercise

Lunges:

Basic Lunge

 

Lunge With Med Ball Twist

Step forward with the right foot, keeping the head up and shoulders aligned over hips; do not allow your torso to angle forward because this will make your quadriceps do more of the work instead of the glutes. Drop your left knee toward the floor by bending both knees, making sure to keep the front heel down and the knee directly over the center of the foot. Push down through your heel to return to the starting position.

You may use a wall or a chair to help you with your balance when you are first learning to do these.

Nick Nilsson,  B.A.Sc., C.P.T., author of Muscle Explosion advises, “When you do a lunge, squeeze the glute hard while you’re pushing up. This will help to activate the glute muscle. It’s all about getting your mind into the muscle and forcing it to contract rather than just going through the motions of an exercise.”