Archive for June, 2011

Best Abs and Legs At-Home Workout

June 17th, 2011

Why Aerobarre Packs a Punch!

It’s an ab-fab toner. The boxing drills blast calories; the ballet moves work muscles you never knew you had. “You’ll slim down and sculpt sexy curves,” says Leila Fazel, co-owner of New York City’s Aerospace fitness center, who created this routine exclusively for SELF.

It banishes boredom. Boxing is appearing in new fusion workouts, like the pilates and yoga hybrids Piloxing and Koga, because it’s effective and fun. Try it yourself for powerhouse abs and total-body confidence. —Liz Miersch

You’ll need A 9- to 12-pound body bar for the ballet moves and 1- to 2-pound dumbbells for the boxing sequences

1. What to do Two sets of the indicated reps per move, followed by two-minute rounds of jabs and uppercuts, three times a week on nonconsecutive days

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Get Toned in the Pool

June 17th, 2011

Want to look better in a bathing suit? Use your (pool) noodle. Turns out, the ubiquitous foam toy (you’ve probably had backyard “sword” fights with one!) is also an ultra-effective tone-up tool. “Because the device is buoyant, you have to engage multiple muscle groups to counter its flotation, burning calories and firming in the process,” says N. Travis Triplett, Ph.D., program director of exercise science at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

The plan Complete three sets of reps for each sculptor three times per week on nonconsecutive days.

You’ll need a pool and a noodle.

1. Cannonball
Float in deep water with noodle wrapped around upper back and under arms, hands on either end. Extend legs toward pool bottom, feet together, toes pointed. Engage abs and raise knees toward chest (as shown). Hold for two seconds, then straighten legs for one rep. Do 20 reps.
* works abs, hips, legs

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