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Get Fit For Free!!
Think you need a gym to get into shape? Think again. You can do these
moves - designed by Denver personal trainer Denise Tryner - at home or
outdoors, with virtually no equipment! For a complete workout, do at least
one exercise for each body section. Short on time, or want to focus on
a specific area? Perform exercises for that spot only.
ARMS AND CHEST
Push-ups
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Beginners: Stand facing a bench or another solid, elevated surface.
Place hands wide on the bench seat and walk feet out behind you to form
an incline. (1) Lower yourself down so your arms form an upside-down goalpost.
Keep your body in a straight line; pull your belly button toward your spine.
(2) Press back up.
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To increase difficulty: Do traditional push-ups. Start on the ground,
balancing on your hands and the balls of your feet. Keep your hands spread
wider than your shoulders (1) Lower down, then push back up (2) If you
can't do them this way, it's fine to rest your knees on the ground. Don't
let your belly sag or your rear stick up.
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Want even more of a challenge? Put your hands on the ground and
your feet on a bench behind you, in traditional push-up position but at
a decline. Again, lower down and press back up.
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Triceps push-ups: Same as traditional push-ups, but instead of spreading
hands wide apart, keep them directly beneath your shoulders. To isolate
triceps, keep your arms in tight, close to your ribs. Remember not to sag
down or stick your rear up in the air.
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Triceps dips: Sit on a bench, your hands gripping the edge on either
side of your butt. Put your feet out in front of you (the farther out,
the more challenging). Slide your rear end off the bench. (1) Keeping your
elbows tucked along your sides, slowly bend your elbows, lowering your
body straight down until your upper arms are parallel with the ground (2)
Push yourself back up.
Whichever move you choose, repeat 20 times to complete one set. Work up
to completing three sets during your workout.
LEGS AND REAR
Lunges
Repeat on the same leg 20 times, then switch.
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Stationery lunges: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and place
your right foot about 2 feet in front of you. (1) Lower your body by bending
your right knee. Let your left knee bend slightly (your left heel should
come off the ground); right knee should not extend beyond your toes. (2)
Rise back up, keeping feet apart.
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To increase difficulty: For forward lunges, start with your feet
should-width apart and step your right foot out in front of you. Lower
your body by bending both knees. Again, your left heel will be off the
ground and your right knee should not extend beyond your toes. Straighten
back up and bring your right foot back to the starting position.
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Want even more of a challenge? Try reverse lunges. Start with feet
together and step one leg backward for each repetition.
Squats
Start with 10 repetitions and work up to 20 to complete a set. Aim
to complete three sets during your workout.
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Beginners: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart (1) Slowly
lower your butt as though you're sitting back into a chair. Don't let your
knees extend beyond your toes. Keep your chest high - the motion should
be in your legs (2) Loft back up to standing position.
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To increase difficulty: When you rise, lift your right leg out to
the
side, then bring it down again. This works your outer thighs. Alternate
between right and left. Work up to 20 repetitions.
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Want even more of a challenge? Try squat kicks. When you rise, kick
your right leg out in front of you. Alternate between right and left. Work
up to 20 repetitions.
ABDOMINALS
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Beginners' plank: Start with your weight on your forearms and knees,
your hands clasped in front of you. Keep your butt tucked in and your belly
button pulled into your spine. Hold for 30 seconds, then lower to rest.
Repeat 3 times.
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To increase difficulty: With your knees off the ground and legs
straight, balance your forearms and the balls of your feet. Again, hold
for 30 seconds and lower to rest. Repeat 3 times.
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Want even more of a challenge? Try the boxer. Lie flat on your back,
knees bent, with feet flat on the floor. Lift your upper body to a 45-degree
angle. You will feel a contraction in your abdominals. Punch right, left,
right on the diagonal, aiming for the outside of your opposite knee. Lower
back to start. Go back up without resting and punch left, right, left.
Lower back down. Repeat and work up to 20 cycles.
Quick & Simple Tip:
You can do abdominal exercises everyday. For other muscle groups, take
a day of rest between training sessions.
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