Busy? Get Your Total Body Strength in an Hour

When you're juggling your schedule, it can be hard to squeeze time in for physical activity. Strength training at least two to three times per week can help you build and maintain muscle, which is associated with a faster metabolism. You can use this one-hour program designed by Jennifer Ricupero, Green Mountain at Fox Run's fitness manager, to get your total body strength training. Use either free weights or SPRI-tubes. SPRI-tubes are great for travelers, since they fit into your suitcase. Even if you're not on the road, switching between the two can add variety to your regular routine. "Using SPRI-tubes for strength training also kicks it up a notch because they work on strength and endurance throughout each muscle's range of motion," says Ricupero.

Equipment: A mat, chair or FitBall, low/high weights or SPRI-tubes for upper body. Need equipment? Order online from our Healthy Lifestyle Shop.
General Guidelines:

1. Warm up and stretch before training.
2. Stretch the muscle group you worked after each exercise set.
3. Change your resistance with SPRI-tubes by spreading feet further apart or go to a higher resistance color.
4. Keep a rhythmic count for all strength moves using a 3-4 count up and down for full range of motion.
5. Keep wrists straight and neck light through all movements
6. Breathe on the exertion phase.
7. Check your form. Improper form can lead to injury.

Perform 2 sets of 15 repetitions of the following:

• Bicep Curls (using SPRI-tube)
• Lateral Arm raises (using SPRI-tube)
• Tricep Kickbacks (using light weight)
• Standing Row for Upper Back (using SPRI-tube)
• One Armed Row for Mid-Back (using SPRI-tube)
• Chest Press (using weights or SPRI-tube)
• Toe raises for shins
• Calf raises for hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes
• Squats
• Outer thigh lifts (standing and holding chair back for support)
• Inner thigh lifts (standing and holding chair back for support)
• Ab crunches
• Pelvic tilts
• Oblique squeezes

Congratulate yourself for completing a total body strength workout. You just increased your lean muscle mass!

Photo by ggvic via flickr.