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Showing posts with label Front Raise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Front Raise. Show all posts

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Workout: Mueller Lake Park Circuit 14

Workout: Mueller Lake Park Circuit 14

Equipment Used:
  • Sturdy Medicine ball (multiple of varying weights would be ideal)
  • Soft ground area to lie down (carpet/grass/etc)

Circuit #14

SUMMARY
***Stretch/Warm-up
  1. Leg: Squat Throw/Press
  2. Core: Double Crunches
  3. Arm: One Arm Front Raise
  4. Total: Superman
  5. Leg: Walking Lunge Twist
  6. Core: Russian Twist
  7. Arm: Overhead Tri Extension
  8. Total: Push-Up Roll
  9. Leg: Wall Sit Squeeze
  10. Core: Overhead Side Bend
  11. Arm: One Arm Shoulder Press
  12. Total: Burpee Ball

Circuit #14 - Med Ball Madness

This circuit was created to foster teamwork and camaraderie among our workout group by focusing on partner exercises. Using a minimal amount of equipment, we utilize a partner to create additional resistance. If you lack a partner or have odd numbers in your group, the exercises can be modified for solo performance as well. When choosing partners try to match people who are of similar weight and/or physical ability. While performing exercises, communicate with your partner to coordinate each movement. Use good form and encourage one another to give it 100% during the circuit.

Certain exercises may require a slightly longer set to get enough work for both partners. Somewhere between 30 seconds to a minute for most. If you can, bring several different types of resistance bands and medicine balls. You could also use a sandbag or large diameter medicine ball (wall ball) for a couple exercises. Use your imagination and make replacements as needed. You will need a good amount of space to perform the exercises so clear out ample room.

All of these exercises are just variations of familiar exercises. Descriptions and video examples are linked below so take time to review them and practice your form before hitting the workout. Good luck!

Examples

1 - Squat Throw/Press
Video Example
Stand with feet shoulder width apart holding a medicine ball w/ both hands. Perform a traditional squat. When returning to standing start position, toss the medicine ball above your head. Catch the ball as you return to a lowered position for your next rep.
Optional: If the ball is too heavy or you become tired, just press the ball instead of throwing/tossing it. If that's still too much, skip the throw/press altogether and just squat.
2 - Double Crunches
Video Example
Lie flat on the ground w/ a medicine ball. Hold the ball w/ both hands and extend your arms behind your head so that the ball rests on the ground. Bend at the knees so that your legs are raised off the ground and are at a 90 degree angle. Feet are together. This is the start position. Raise your torso, arms and the medicine ball up. Move your torso toward your legs while swinging the medicine ball over your head and resting it on your raised shins. Now lower your torso and and swing your arms back to the start position. As you do this, leave the medicine ball on your shins and extend your legs outward. They should go from being at a 90 degree angle to flat, all while cradling the medicine ball. Once relatively flat, contract to the raised position in the same manner as before but instead grab the medicine ball from your raised legs and hold it in your hands as you flatten out. Repeat this process as your perform reps.
3 - One Arm Front Raise
Video Example
Hold your arm straight out in front of you with the medicine ball in your palm. Lower your arm down as far as you can while keeping the medicine ball steady. Press up and return to starting position.
Optional: If the ball is too heavy or you become tired, use both arms/hands.
4 - Superman
Video Example
Lay on your stomach with legs and arms outstretched. Hold the medicine ball in your hands and lift your arms and legs off the ground at the same time. Hold for three seconds and return to starting position.
Optional: If the ball is too heavy or you become tired, perform reps w/out the ball.
5 - Walking Lunge Twist
Video Example
Perform traditional lunges with medicine ball in hand. While lunging forward, start to twist your torso toward the same side as your leading leg. As you rise from the lunge, return to your torso to the center and begin the next rep with the alternate foot.
Optional: Some people bring both feet together in between alternating feet. It gives you a chance to re-center and get your balance back. Others go straight into the next lunge after rising from the previous rep. Do what feels best for you.
6 - Russian Twist
Video Example
Sit in a contracted crunch position with a medicine ball in hand. Hold the ball w/ both hands centered in front of your chest. Your legs should be bent at the knee and your body should make a "V" shape w/ your thighs and torso. Bodyweight should be balancing on your butt. Twist from side to side, lightly touching the medicine ball to the ground if possible.
Optional: Some people perform this on a raised surface w/ their legs hanging in the air.
7 - Overhead Tri Extension
Video Example
Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Hold the medicine ball overhead with arms stretched out directly above you. Bend your arms at the elbow while keeping your shoulders steady. This should place the ball behind your head. Extend the arms back to outstretched position.
Optional: You can either have your hands under the ball or on the sides of the ball.
8 - Push-Up Roll
Video Examples
While in push-up position, place the medicine ball under one of your hands. The other hand will remain pressed against the ground. Perform the push-up motion and when back in starting position, take your raised hand off the medicine ball and place it on the ground. Roll the ball over to your opposite hand and place it on top of the medicine ball. Perform another push-up. Keep alternating hands to perform reps.
Optional: A more advanced version is to release the medicine ball at the peak of your "up" position and roll it toward your other hand. While doing this, raise your opposite hand in anticipation of the ball arriving and land that hand on top of it. Keep alternating like this in rhythm.
Optional: An easier method is to simply perform half your reps on one arm first and then switch over to your other arm.
9 - Wall Sit Squeeze
Video Examples
Standard wall sit exercise but squeeze a medicine ball between your knees.
Optional: If this is too difficult and no lighter medicine balls are available, just hold the medicine ball in your hands above your head.
10 - Overhead Side Bend
Video Examples
Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Hold the medicine ball overhead with arms outstretched. Keeping arms straight, bend to your right side as far as is comfortable. Return to starting position and repeat on the left side.
11 - One Arm Shoulder Press
Video Examples
Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Hold the medicine ball in your hand at a 90 degree angle (this will leave the ball close to the side of your head). Press the ball up until your arm is straight over head. Switch arms and repeat.
Optional: You can performs several reps w/ one arm and switch to the other to finish.
12 - Burpee Ball
Video Examples
Holding the medicine ball with both hands. Jump up lifting the ball overhead. Proceed directly to push-up position with the ball under your hands as you stretch your feet out behind you. Bring your feet back to your chest and return to standing position. Repeat.
Optional: As with any burpee, you can optionally skip the jump and/or the actual push-up if you become tired or need an easier version.
Optional: A more advanced version can include a chest pass instead of a jump up if there is a wall surface available.

Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Workout: Spring Full Body Circuit 2

Workout: Spring Full Body Circuit 2

Equipment Needed:
  • One pair of light dumbbells
  • One pair of heavy dumbbells
  • Flat bench (or sturdy chair & floor mat)
  • Weighted medicine ball (abs/curls/squats)
  • Optional Replacement: A Single Heavy Dumbbell, Telephone Book or other object (movements are more awkward however)
Tip: When starting out, perform all exercises with light weight (or no weight on the leg exercises) until you learn correct form and become familiar with the routine. This also allows you to figure out your recovery time as light weight may be enough to challenge you initially.
Tip: This workout hits abs, shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps, glutes, hamstrings and calves. It is really a total body workout so allow at least a days rest in between circuits when starting out. Drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest.
Tip: You can alternate this workout with the previously posted Circuit #1

Circuit #2

SUMMARY
  1. Stretch/Warmup
  2. Flat Bench Reverse Crunch
  3. Standing Knee Raises
  4. Knee Push-Ups
  5. Reverse Lunges
  6. Dumbbell Front Raise
  7. Bench Step Ups
  8. Tricep Dips
  9. Medicine Ball Squat Press
  10. Medicine Ball Curls
  11. Single Leg Stand Up
Stretch / Warmup
Stretch your upper body
1- Place your hands on your hips and legs shoulder-width apart. Roll your neck in circles slowly, reversing direction ocassionally.
2 - Look forward and extend your arms out parallel to the ground. Start making small forward circles with your arms. Slowly increase the size of the circles over time until you are making large circles. Reverse direction at this point.
3 - Keep your arms out, look forward and twist your torso back and forth slowly while keeping your arms locked out.
4 - Place your hands back on your hips and roll your hips in a circular fashion clockwise. After 5-10 revolutions, reverse direction.
Stretch your lower body
1 - Legs shoulder-width apart, clasp your hands together and reach toward the sky. Make sure to breathe. After a few seconds slowly bend over and reach toward the ground. Try to keep your head above your heart (unless you're super flexible). Repeat the sky/ground reaches for a few repitions.
2 - With your feet and legs together and your hands at your sides, take a half step forward with your left foot so that your left knee is bent. Take your right foot and step back a whole step so your right leg is straight. Stretch and then reverse feet.
3 - Sit on the ground and attempt to place the bottoms of your feet together. Pull your feet toward your groin area slowly.
Warmup
1 - Perform 10 Jumping Jacks.
2 - Get on the ground and do 5 push-ups on your knees.
3 - Stand back up and do 10 high knees.
4 - Repeat warmup exercises until you feel loose and have a slightly elevated heartrate.

Abs
A - Flat Bench Reverse Crunch
Video Example
Sit near the end of the flat bench. Lay flat back onto the bench. Reach behind your head and hold the sides of the flat bench. Place your legs together and extend them out in front of the end of the bench. They should be parallel to the ground with your butt firmly on the bench still. Perform reps by raising your knees and pulling them in toward your chest & elbows. Release by returning your legs back to the starting position.
Optional: To make it tougher, you can place a weighted medicine ball in between your kness and perform the exercise. Perform at least 10 reps (or as many as you can do if less) and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat at least three times.

B - Standing Knee Raises
Video Example
Stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart. Grab a light weight and hold it with both hands and your arms extended outward about chest high. Perform reps by raising one knee high enough to meet your outstretched arms holding the weight. Relax by returning your feet back to the starting position. Alternate knees each rep.
Perform at least 10 reps per knee (or as many as you can do if less) and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat at least three times.
1 - Knee Push-Ups
Kneeling on the ground, lean forward and place both hands on the ground slightly larger than shoulder width apart. Keep your back straight, knees on the ground and you can optionally cross your lower legs and feet. Perform kneeling push-ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 10 reps (or until failure if less)
Set#2: Repeat Set #1
Set#3: 5-10 reps (or until failure if you can do 10+)
2 - Reverse Lunges
With your feet together and the weights down by your sides, perform reverse lunges (stepping backwards). Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 5 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand
Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ heavy weight in hand
Set#3: 10 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand

3 - Dumbbell Front Raise
With your feet together and the weights in hand, down in front of your body, perform front raises. The standard grip is to handle the dumbbell with your palms facing your body and parallel to the floor once raised (as in video example). You can optionally have your palms facing your thighs (hands by your sides) and perpendicular to the floor once raised. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight
Set#2: 4-8 reps w/ heavy weight
Set#3: Repeat Set #2
Set#4: 10+ reps with light weight (or to failure if less, or skip if wiped from previous set)
4 - Bench Step Ups
Standing in front of the flat bench (or chair), stand w/ feet a little closer than shoulder-wodth apart. Have your arms at your sides w/ the appropriate weight in each hand. Take one foot and place it onto the bench. Push off that same foot and raise the rest of your body up so you can step onto the bench with your other foot. To relax, take the original foot you stepped onto the bench with and step down onto the ground. Once planted, return your other foot to the ground. Perform setp-ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 5 reps each leg w/ no weight in hand
Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ light weight in hand
Set#3: 10 reps each leg w/ heavy weight in hand

5 - Tricep Dips
Start seating on the bench with your feet flat on the floor and your legs bent out slightly more than 90 degrees. With your palms flat on the bench and your fingers facing the same direction as your body, push your butt out in the air so that you are being supported by your arms. Perform dips. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 5 reps
Set#2: 10 reps
Set#3: 5-10 reps (or until failure if you can do 10+)
6 - Medicine Ball Squat Press
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weighted medicine ball with both hands and a nuetral grip. If you lack a medicine ball, you can use a heavier dumbbell or other equally heavy object. Perform Squat Presses. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 5 reps
Set#2: 10 reps
Set#3: 10 reps or until failure if 10+ (if arms tired, perform without any weight in hand)

7 - Medicine Ball Curls
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weighted medicine ball with both hands and a nuetral grip. If you lack a medicine ball, you can use a heavier dumbbell or other equally heavy object. Perform curls. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Video Example
Set#1: 10-15 reps
Set#2: Repeat Set #2
Set#3: Repeat Set #2 (use heavier ball/object if possible)
Set#4: 10-15+ reps with lighter ball/object
8 - Single Leg Stand Up
Stand in front of a chair or flat bench w/ your legs somewhat close together. Hold your arms out for balance and slightly lift one foot off the floor. Perform a squat using only one leg and take a seat onto the chair/bench behind you. You may extend your raised foot outward for balance if needed as well. Rest a second, and then return to standing using only that same leg to propel you upward. Perform single leg stand ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity.
Note: The example video is performing the toughest version of this exercise by squatting to the ground almost. Based on your individual flexibility and strength, you may want to alter this exercise. Start out squatting onto something relatively high off the ground and easy to accomplish (ex. tall chair or couch). Gradually lower the height of your target squat as your prowess increases. Video Example
Set#1: 4 reps per leg
Set#2: 6 reps per leg
Set#3: Either repeat Set #2 or only do 4 reps per leg but squat to a lower height

Good luck!!!