"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

The Exercise Challenge: Part 3

Get stronger by adding more exercises which can be tougher to your weekly routine.

Like the primary two sets of exercises, this recent group is designed to work a mixture of muscles in your arms, legs and core.

Ideally, you must do these exercises a minimum of twice per week. You can add them to your weekly workout plan by either completely replacing the primary or second batch of exercises from the previous problems, or by adding among the exercises from the 2 groups at some point per week earlier and making that group one. Can add in seconds. non-consecutive) days, says Dr. Frates.

If you’ve got time and need a more vigorous workout, add these recent exercises from the May issue to the push-up workout.

Check your progress with the push-up test.

Your ability to do push-ups is an excellent indicator of muscle strength. If you possibly can do 10 to fifteen push-ups, you're in good condition. If you possibly can do 16 or higher, you're in great shape.

Plank with arm extension

In the May and August issues, Dr. Frates recommends two variations on the plank exercise—a standard plank and a side plank—to assist you construct upper body and core strength. Try a 3rd option this time: a plank with one arm prolonged in front of you, which works barely different muscle groups. To perform this exercise, get right into a plank position, either together with your legs straight, supporting yourself on the balls of your feet, or resting in your knees. Hold the plank position and slowly extend one arm forward, straight out in front of you. Then slowly bring the arm down and lift your other arm.

Set a goal: Test yourself to see how much you possibly can handle, and construct from there. Try to get five arm extensions on all sides. Over the following few months, do three full sets of 10 (five on all sides).

Burpee

Burpees are a difficult exercise that works the muscles in your legs and core. To start, stand together with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Sit down and place your hands on the ground. Jump to increase your legs back so that you're in a push-up position. Jump again to bring your feet back to a sitting position. Then jump into the air, landing within the starting position. Repeat. Be sure to maintain your head and neck in keeping with your spine and keep your abdominal muscles tight. If this version of the exercise is just too difficult, try a modified burpee as an alternative. Instead of jumping between a squat and a push-up position, walk your feet in and out, and don't jump as high on the last leg.

Set a goal: First, see what number of burpees you possibly can do and whether you might want to try a modified version as an alternative. Depending in your current fitness level, you possibly can start with as few as one set of 5 repetitions, or one set of 10. Then, over the following few months, progressively work up to a few sets of 10 burpees per workout session.

Sitting to standing

This exercise is a fantastic solution to construct strength and improve your balance. Cross your legs, then squat as little as you possibly can and get up. Over time, attempt to go lower and lower on the squat until you’re sitting on the ground. Now try standing up without using your hands or keeping your knees on the bottom.

Set a goal: When performing this exercise, watch out or have someone stand nearby to observe you. It may be very difficult. Assess your dexterity by testing whether you possibly can perform the exercise without using your hand, knee or arm or losing your balance.


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