Category Archives: Exercises

Dumbbell Step-Up

Dumbbell Step-up

Target Body Part:    Butt/Hips, Legs – Thighs
Primary Muscles:     Gluteus Maximus (glutes), Quadriceps (quads)
Secondary Muscles: Rhomboids, Erector Spinae, Transverse Abdominus,
Gluteus Medius/Minimus (Abductors), Hamstrings, Adductors, Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Full Body/Integrated
Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, Raised Platform/Box

Dumbbell step-up 1Dumbbell step-up 2Dumbbell step-up 3

Step 1

Starting Position: Stand with your feet parallel about hip width apart while holding dumbbells in your hands with palms facing inwards. Depress and retract your scapulae (pull shoulders down and back).

Attempt to avoid shrugging your shoulder upwards.

Step 2

Upward Phase: Slowly step to place your right foot on a platform, placing your foot firmly on the deck while keeping your torso upright and aligning your knee over your second toe. Push off with the trailing (left) leg to raise your body onto the platform placing that foot alongside your leading (right) foot. During this transition, your torso and your right tibia (shinbone) will move slightly forward past vertical, but try to avoid excessive forward movement.

Step 3

Downward Phase: Slowly load the weight of your body into your leading (right) foot, step backwards to place the trailing (left) foot on the floor in its starting position. Allow your body to lean slightly forward during the step-down movement. Load your weight into your trailing (left) foot and step off the platform with your leading (right) foot, returning to your starting position. Repeat for the opposite side.

Step 4

An exercise progression is to step-up onto one leg only and remain standing on a single-leg before stepping back down.

Helpful Tip:
Single-leg stepping is a functional movement we perform daily. Always monitor your foot, ankle and knee position. Avoid movement of your foot and ankle (collapsing in or out), and always attempt to keep your knee aligned over your second toe.

American Council on Exercise

Seated Medicine Ball Trunk Rotations

Seated Medicine Ball Trunk Rotations

Target Body Part:   Abs
Primary Muscles: Rectus Abdminus (abs), Transverse Abdominus
Secondary Muscles: Erector Spinae
Equipment: Medicine Ball

Seated Medicine Ball Trunk 1Seated Medicine Ball Trunk 2Seated Medicine Ball Trunk 3

Step 1

Starting Position: Sit on a mat/floor with your knees bent, feet together, and heels on the floor. Start with a light ball (1-2 lb) and increase the weight of the ball as your fitness level improves. Sit as tall as possible with your back erect so that your torso is perpendicular to the floor. If you have tightness in your back and legs that prevents you from getting into this position, try sitting on a cushion or a rolled mat in order to lift your hips and help facilitate a straighter spine. Hold the medicine ball close to your body between your navel and your ribcage. Use your breath to help engage the muscles of your core. On your exhale, imagine you are tightening a belt around your waist and deepen the contraction of the abdominals.

Step 2

Rotation: Keeping the spine erect, exhale and slowly rotate your torso to one side, Imagine that the ball is buttoned to your torso. It should stay in place through the entire exercise. Do not allow the ball to drop toward the floor. Pause briefly at the end of the twist, inhale and then gently exhale while rotating completely to the opposite side. Repeat the movement back and forth.

Step 3

Exercise Progression 1: When you can perform the movements in Step 2 easily and without strain, you can modify the starting position by slightly leaning back while keeping your knees bent and heels on the floor. Once again, keeping the ball buttoned to your torso, try to enhance rotation so that the elbow is close to, but not to resting on the floor. Keep your core and abdominal muscles active to prevent arching the back or low back discomfort during the exercise. This exercise variation increases the demands placed upon your abdominal muscles.

Step 4

Exercise Progression 2: As you continue to progress, you can incorporate even greater challenge by modifying the starting position once again. Lean back halfway to the floor and lift your feet off the floor. Keep your knees bent and feet together. Once again keeping the ball buttoned to your torso, enhance the rotation by attempting to bring the elbow close to, but not to resting on, the floor. Try to keep the shoulders relaxed. Your back should remain straight. Keep your core and abdominal muscles active to prevent arching the back or low back discomfort during the exercise. This exercise variation increases the demands placed upon your abdominal muscles.

Intermediate and advanced rotational exercises should only be attempted after completing the beginner exercises.

Click to Print & Post  American Council on Exercise

Hip Heist

Hip Heist

Targets: Shoulders, back, chest, triceps, abs, and butt

Hip Heist

  • Start facedown on ground, balancing on hands and feet with arms extended, hips raised slightly.
  • Lift left hand and right foot off ground and rotate upper body to left as you bring right knee across body toward left armpit.
  • Pivoting on left foot with left knee bent, continue rotating torso until you’re faceup.
  • Place right foot on ground next to left and right palm down so that hands are on either side of hips, fingers pointing behind you with feet hip-width apart in front of you, knees bent 90 degrees.
  • Lift hips until torso is in a tabletop position.
  • Reverse move to return to start.
  • Do 3 sets of 20 reps.

Another great exercise from FitnessMagazine.com.