Click on the photo of the workout to download the workout itself, the exercise reference guide, and a workout tracking sheet!
Cable Cross-Overs – Make sure the cable pulleys have the isolated hand grips set on them. Then make sure the cables are set evenly slightly above shoulder level. From here you are going to take 2 steps forward with the cable handles in front of you while getting set in a cable press position (one foot in front while balancing on the toe of your back foot). Since the cables are set slightly above you that means you want to press slightly downward to keep the trajectory even. As you extend and your arms in the “pressing” position you are going to cross one arm over before going back to the starting position, pressing again, and alternating which hand is over the other.
TRX “Y” Flys – Find a spot to hang a TRX and grab the lengthened handles while facing the direction in which your TRX is anchored. With your arms fully extended lean back slightly. The farther your feet are forward the harder this exercise will be. Once in a comfortable position you are going to keep your arms extended while you pull your body forward and bring your arms overhead, focusing on a squeeze in the shoulders and back. Control yourself on the way back down and repeat! Remember to keep CONSTANT tension on the TRX ropes, never letting any slack on it for the duration of the exercise!
Stability Ball Skull Crushers w/ Dumbbells – Grab a stability ball and choose a pair of dumbbells you feel comfortable doing this exercise with (a little goes a long way!). Starting out seated on the ball you’re going to roll your feet forward until your neck is supported. From here you are going to extend your arms up keeping your dumbbells above your shoulders. B ending at the elbows while keeping them relatively stationary you want to bring the dumbbells toward the top of your head, stretching the back of your arm out. Squeeze the back of your arm while going back to the starting position and repeat!
Upright Cable Pull-Overs – Make your way to the cable row machine; make sure the isolated hand grips are attached to the pulleys and select an appropriate weight (a little goes a long way!). Next, place your feet on the CENTER platform as opposed to the 2 outer pedals. With your arms extended push the handles down towards your hips and pull them back behind you squeezing your back muscles in the process. Control on the way back to the starting position and repeat!
Upright Straight Arm Cable Curls – Set yourself up on the cable row bench with the isolated hand grips and get in position like you’re going to do a row. With your arms fully extended and palms facing upward you want to keep your elbows stationary at shoulder height as you curl the handles towards your forehead. Control on the way back down, be sure to stretch all the way out, and repeat!
TRX Row Hold “Swings” – Setting a TRX up high you want to make sure the handles are all the way shortened by pressing the black buckle and pulling the yellow tab all the way to the top on each side. From here grab the handles, walk into them, and make sure there is still tension on the TRX. Keeping your arms tucked in walk forward until it is challenging to hold the position you’re in but doable. Once you’re set swing as far to the left as you can (with control) then swing as far to the right as you can (again with control!). Each side you swing to is one rep.
Bent Over Rope Handle Cable Rows – Find a cable pulley system, attach the rope handle, and make sure it’s dropped all the way to the ground. Select your desired weight, grab the handles, and take 2 steps backwards so that you can lean forward and still have tension on the cable. Starting with your arms fully extended you want to keep your chest out and head up the entire time as you pull the ropes towards your body. Remember to squeeze your back and NOT to bend your wrists as you pull. Make sure to get a full stretch as you go back to the starting position and repeat!
Kneeling BOSU Push-Ups w/ Medicine Balls – Place a BOSU on the ground with the blue side facing up. Next, make sure you have 2 medicine balls in front of you ready to be used as handles (if the medicine balls hurt your wrists then please forgo them). Keeping your balance and utilizing the medicine balls to get a full stretch you want to go down as far as you can in a push-up to the point where you can still come back up. Remember to bring your hips down towards the floor with you! Get a full extension back at the top and repeat!
Anchored Band Curls w/ Dumbbells – Find a place to anchor a band of your choice (benches work wonderfully) and select your desired dumbbell weight for this exercise. You are going to grab the handles of the band WHILE holding your dumbbells (crazy, I know!) and take 2 steps back so that there is a good amount of tension on the band at all times. Once in position curl the dumbbells as high up as you can in an upper cut fashion, stretch them all the way back down again after, and repeat!
Seated “Backless” Shoulder Press w/ Dumbbells – Grab 2 dumbbells of your choice and take a seat on a flat bench (picking a bench without back support makes your core/back muscles work harder and cohesively). Bring the dumbbells up to your shoulders and from there extend them as high up as possible while keeping your palms facing each other every step of the way. Control on the way back down, keep your abs tight the entire time, and repeat!
Click on the photo of the workout to download the workout itself, the exercise reference guide, and a workout tracking sheet!
TRX Alternating Pistol Squat – Make sure you have a TRX set up high, grab the handles, and walk into them so that your arms are at your side but there is still tension on the TRX straps. From here squat down on one leg while keeping the other leg extended in front of you. On the leg that is squatting be sure to keep your knee above your feet and your heel planted on the ground. Also, only go down as far as your body will allow. Alternate each foot after every rep.
1 Legged Blue Side BOSU Stands – Set a BOSU on the ground with the blue side facing up. Start with whichever foot you wish and stand in the center of that BOSU for the time allotted. The goal is to not touch the ground or the BOSU with your other foot for the duration. Remember that if you’re accustomed to this exercise then your challenge is to test yourself and see how you can make it harder.
BOSU Plank Shufflers – Set a BOSU on the floor with the black side up and get in a plank position with your feet set wide on the BOSU. From here you are going to shuffle your feet and touch each side of the BOSU on the floor (similar to “Happy Hips” but in a plank position). Repeat for the allotted amount of time!
Stability Ball/BOSU Cross Punches – Set up a stability ball with a BOSU in front of it (blue side up). Next select a pair of dumbbells (weight of your choice) and sit on the stability ball with your feet on the BOSU. Once in a “comfortable” seated position you want to punch across your body focusing on getting as much of a twist and stretch as you can (full extension is key!). Repeat while alternating!
Stability Ball Kneeling Twists – Set up a pair of equalizers to act as safety rails for when you start to lose your balance (as pictured). Next place a stability ball behind your “guard rails” so you can place your knees on it and roll into a balancing position. From here you are going to focus on staying in a balanced kneeling position on the ball. Once you have the basic balance down, implement a twist! Twist as far as you can on each side while being mindful of the goal of staying upright
Stability Ball Butt Balancers – Set up a pair of equalizers to act as safety rails for when you start to lose your balance (as pictured). Next place a stability ball behind your “guard rails” so you can sit on the ball and balance on your butt! You want to take v-sit position but know that the goal isn’t to strictly hold a v-sit but to rather stay balanced on your butt as long as possible. Remember to use your legs as a balancing mechanism!
BOSU knee balancers – Set a BOSU down on the floor with the blue side facing up. Kneel down on the BOSU with your knee in the center and your shin partially supported. Your foot should be hanging off and the goal is to keep your foot off of the ground the entire time. Balance for the allotted time in that position before switching to the other side. The goal is to be able to maintain that position without your feet touching the ground the entire time!
1 Legged Wood Choppers on BOSU – Place a BOSU on the ground with the black side facing up. Grab a medicine ball of your choice in weight and hold it as you stand on the BOSU with one leg. Whichever foot you are standing on is the side where you are going to raise the ball with your arms fully extended as high as you can. Keeping your arms extended you want to bring the ball back down across your body towards the opposite side. Get as low as you can before going back up, remembering to keep your arms fully extended and getting as much of a stretch at the top as you can. Once the allotted reps are completed switch to the other side!
Click on the photo of the workout to download the workout itself, the exercise reference guide, and workout tracking sheet!
Elevated Plank – Utilizing a BOSU, step, bench, equalizer, or anything you can to raise yourself your feet off the floor you are going to do exactly that while maintaining a proper plank position (straight line from shoulder, to hip, to heel while keeping abs/glutes TIGHT). If you are not able to hold an elevated plank then simply hold a regular plank. The higher the elevation, the more difficulty!
Function Crunch Raises – Grab a dumbbell (weight of your choice) or stability ball if the weight is too much and lay down on your back with your feet fully extended. Keeping your knees relaxed, heels on the floor, and arms above your chest you are going to crunch all the way into a seated position while keeping the dumbbell or stability ball aimed towards the ceiling the entire time. If not able to crunch into a full seated position simply go as high up as you can for each rep! Eventually you will be able to do the full crunch.
Dip Position Leg Lifts – Utilized the Lebert Equalizers (a bench or ledge works nicely as well) get your body into a dip position while keeping your arms extended. From here you are going to start with whichever leg you’d like (you’re doing both eventually) and lift it as high as you can while keeping your leg fully extended. While you lift you want to consciously crunch your abdominals in the process to finalize that squeeze in your midsection. You’re going to do ALL ONE SIDE before moving on to the other. To make this hard, place your feet on a BOSU (blue side up).
Full Length Cable Rows – Find the cable row machine and make sure the isolated hand grips are put on each cable pulley. Take a seat and rather than placing your feet on the outer foot pedals you are going to place your feet together on the CENTER platform. From here you are going to lean all the way back until you are lying flat while still holding on to the handles. Your arms are strictly the catalyst so try not to pull with them too much. Control your body on the way back up to the starting position and repeat! PS odds are you are going to be able to pull more weight than you think you can on this one so keep that in mind if the first set seems to be too easy.
One Legged Side Crunches on BOSU – Standing on one leg you are going to place your fingertips gently behind your head (DO NOT interlock… interlocking your fingers promotes pulling on your neck and ain’t nobody got time for that), stretch the side of your body out that is NOT standing on the BOSU before squeezing your side by getting as close to touching your elbow to your knee as you can. Go back to the stretch and repeat!
Swiss Ball Inch Worms on BOSU – Place your BOSU blue side down and stand on top while holding your swiss ball at the sides. Squatting down you want to place the ball on the ground and stretch as far into a full length plank as you can before pushing back to a standing position. IMPORTANT!!!! When you place the swiss ball down on the floor instinct is going to make you want to readjust your hands on the ball. DO NOT re-adjust because it won’t end well. Hold on to the sides and keep them clamped down as you roll out.
Dual Cable Crunches – Grab a mat and place it on the ground in the center of the gym’s cable apparatus. Make sure the cable pulleys have the isolated hand grips on them and bring them all the way to the floor. Choose the weight of your choice on BOTH cable stacks. Now lie down on your back, bring the cables over your chest, and crunch upward! Be cautious not to strain your neck too much! Control on the way down and repeat!
Dumbbell Plank Transfers – Grab a weighted dumbbell of your choice and get into a plank position with your feet set wide. Start with the dumbbell off to the side then while maintaining your plank reach out, bring the dumbbell to center, and extend it to the OTHER side. Each time you extended either arm outward that is one rep.
Not everybody meets their future spouse ordering contact lenses over the phone, but Michelle “Hulk” Huntley isn’t exactly like anybody you’ll ever meet so it’s fitting that on June 1st, 1998 that was exactly how she met the love of her life. It was by cosmic chance that Owen, her husband to be and manager of the sales office Michelle was calling, picked up the phone the day that she called. Normally he didn’t answer the lines but if not for a shortage of staff that had everyone pulling extra duties then this story would have been finished just as quickly as it started.
Michelle, born and raised in Philadelphia (as made evident by her East Coast sass if you ever have the good fortune to talk with her) was simply looking to check into the latest method for contact lens shipping when she rang, but when Owen answered she couldn’t find herself able to pull away. When the phone call reached the hour mark it was clear that he wasn’t really looking to hang up all that quickly either. As they squeezed the last bit of stimulating conversation they could muster from the rousing subject of eye-wear advancement delivery Michelle and Owen exchanged personal numbers before finally calling the “sales call” quits.
“When I hung up the phone, I knew I’d found my husband.” Michelle said with the biggest smile I’d ever seen as she recalled the 1st time meeting Owen. She proved that her smile still had room to grow when she said “3 weeks later he left Florida and moved to Philly.”
“He just up and left? Job and all? 3 weeks, really?” I asked, surprised.
“Yup, June 25th was the day he came to Philly…” Michelle beamed as she stared off slightly, reliving the memory.
As I reveled in her memory and she soaked in the recollection, she was the first one to break the warm silence.
“My life is made up of June… I joined Rebel in June, did you know that?”
“Yeah, I’m seeing a lot of June popping its head up. The Universe has a way of talking to you, that’s for sure…” I said.
“Yup. June 1st, 1998 was the day of that phone call. June 25th was the day he moved to Philly. June 19th the next year we were married. June 10th, 2010… that was the day I lost him.”
* * *
Growing up Michelle had 3 main aspirations that fueled her fire like a never ending propane tank; always be involved in sports, finish school, and become a Doctor. With a loving family and true East Coast determination Michelle attacked those goals like a warrior with a thirst for conquest and quench that thirst she did…
“Sports? What sport didn’t I play… My favorites were softball and bowling, but I played volleyball, basketball, competed in track and field, practiced Tae Kwon Do and did some fencing. You know when they were picking kids on the playground for teams? I was usually picked first or close to it, even over the boys. Some of them would be like ‘What? You’re gonna pick her over ME?’ and they’d be like ‘yeah, you’ll see…”
She went on to explain that not only was she athletic, but she’d always been on the thicker side to boot which took away any “fragility” that could be held against her. It was a double edged sword though because that meant she always had to be doing something in regards to being active or she’d gain weight just by damn near thinking about it.
“If I had to pick a demon I’ve always carried with me, it’s my weight. I was picked on as a kid for being a little bigger and “straight laced” but it was ok, I knew it was my path in life to succeed. Even still, it was hard shopping in the little girl’s ‘pretty plus’ section because even as a kid you know what that means… Why can’t you just be pretty?”
That love of sports carried over to college as she continued playing volleyball and softball at a high level. Her physical dominance was no match to her intellectual excellence, though. Spending a year at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science before moving on, Michelle graduated with Bachelor’s degrees from Penn State and Temple, the latter coming with “Magna Cum Laude” honors! For a little added awesome let’s throw in the fact that Michelle became an EMT at 16 until the age of 30, meaning that in between practices, games, homework, studying, finals, and family she was literally saving lives the whole time.
“I’ve always been very patient. I didn’t really date or do much else, I was too focused.”
Through her journey all the way up to meeting Owen and beyond, Michelle had experienced your standard hardships; tough financial times that make you scrape the couch for coins, battles with weight, adjusting to new jobs, moving away from family and feeling alone in a new place, and so forth… but throughout it all she persevered. She was careful to point out that she didn’t view any of her struggles as traumatizing but more so as standard fare.
“I didn’t have any significant tragedies growing up or anything, not more than the usual stuff. I just saw it all as a grind… you just gotta get through it. You have to keep going.”
That mindset was tested when a year into Michelle and Owen’s marriage when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although in earlier stages, it was malignant and required a fierce battle ahead… When most newlyweds were still gushing in the “honey moon” stage of their marriage, Michelle and Owen were letting their loved ones in on the heartbreaking news, getting set for the first of nearly 20 surgeries, undergoing radiation therapy (and the baldness that ensued), and figuring out insurance policies.
“Owen was perfect through it all… He truly was a great man. We stuck by each other every step of the way, and there was only one thing that ever caught him off guard. It was Valentine’s Day, 2001 and I had been going through chemo. You can only hold on to your hair for so long till it’s gotta go, and that day was the day. When he came home from work I opened up the door with a smile, bald and all, and said ‘hey baby!’ He had this shocked look on his face and he kind of stuttered for a second… then he just smiled at me and all he said was ‘alright then…’ We were good to go after that!”
It was 2006 when Michelle’s occupation brought the happy couple to California and subsequently away from family, friends, familiarity, and essentially everything they had ever known. After an aggressive treatment regiment, inevitable lumpectomy, and careful monitoring the cancer was held in check. With one blessing came another hardship however as being thrust into a whole new world was as difficult as you can imagine. Luckily they had each other and that meant there wasn’t a mountain too high to climb, river too deep to cross, or storm too harsh to weather on top of what they’d already triumphed through. They made a habit of rolling through the punches with grace and diligence… perseverance put into practice setting them up to endure any hardship thrown their way even when life tossed everything including the kitchen sink at them. After all, every survived experience is like a sparring situation getting you ready for your next fight and this transition to a brand new coast was simply the next step in swingin’ on. It wasn’t until 4 years later that the ultimate knockout rocked Michelle clear off her feet and did everything it could to keep her down for the count…
It was March of 2010 when the second breast cancer diagnosis found its way to Michelle and Owen’s door step. No easier to deal with the second time around it forced the already intense treatment to be stepped up another notch. A lumpectomy was no longer an option as a mastectomy was now required if she was going to have a shot at making it to the next “round.” Michelle opted to go with a double mastectomy (“I wasn’t gonna be a ‘uni-boob’” she quipped) and made it through a little less voluptuous, but alive none the less. Amidst it all Owen didn’t bat an eye once. Even when complications arose from the surgeries and infections started to flare that man was there every step of the way. One such memory provides a perfect depiction of the superhero Owen ended up being through it all…
On June 9th, Owen picked Michelle up from the hospital recovery room and safely brought her back home . He had the downstairs couch all set up for her to sleep since it was more comfortable that way for Michelle and proceeded to get her all situated for some much needed slumber. Once she was set, Owen tried nonchalantly handing Michelle back her wedding ring to put back on after she had taken it off and given him so as not to lose it while she navigating through her hospital day.\
“I told him ‘Nuh uh, that ain’t how you do it…’” she said with her trademark Philly sass, lighting up the same way she did when she was reliving the moment of meeting Owen for the first time.
“That’s when he smiled, got down on one knee, and slipped the ring back on my finger properly and kissed me like he was supposed to. He said he loved me, I said I loved him, and I watched him go upstairs with the promise we’d see each other in the morning.”
That was the last moment Michelle and Owen ever shared together.
“I knew something was wrong when I woke up in the morning and things just didn’t feel right.” Michelle shared. “I was an EMT for a long time and you learn to read situations like that…”
As soon as she stepped foot in their room Michelle instinctively knew Owen had passed. She tried in vain to resuscitate him after dialing 911 but in the back of her mind she knew it was already too late. Three months after her second cancer diagnosis and resulting surgeries Michelle was now unexpectedly on her own. Although her family was there every step of the way it was hard not to feel stranded and alone in what was still a relatively unknown home front. She’d lost her rock when she needed him most… It was now her duty to learn how to make it through life in California without her best friend, deal with the cancer (14 surgical procedures in the matter of a year and a half to put it in perspective), and continue to put one foot in front of another no matter what.
Weight was already an issue before the steroid-based treatments (on top of everything else) ballooned Michelle up to her heaviest weight at 352 lbs.
“It was hard because I never associated with being that person… in my mind I was still that really athletic and curvy chick with nothing I couldn’t do, and that wasn’t true anymore…”
About a year and a half had gone by since June of 2010 and Michelle was still looking for her ladder out of the hole she’d found herself in. As time marched forward life’s obstacles started shifting from battling cancer and dealing with the loss of her husband to putting more focus on getting rid of this newfound weight. Surviving cancer and the loss of Owen were defining moments for Michelle that would travel with her every moment from here on out, but it was time to take her life BACK rather than merely float through it numbly. That’s when the Universe delivered an angel of a messenger…
Tami Larsen, an original Hulkster/Rebel since 2009 and working at the Dental office Michelle had an appointment with one fateful day early 2012 happened to be that very ladder Michelle was searching for and although I want to go with the cliché “and she didn’t even know it” the phone call I got from her indicated otherwise. You know how certain things stick with you for some peculiar reason even before your brain is able to register it as significant? That was the case with Tami’s phone call;
“Hey! I met someone that would be PERFECT for Hulk… Her name’s Michelle and you wouldn’t believe what she’s been through… She’s coming off a lot of surgeries, dealing with cancer, and she just lost her husband. She’s trying to get back on track and I told her to call you.”
It took 2 months from that day for Michelle to give me a call. In her words she was “weak, hurt emotionally and physically, and needed to offload. It took me 2 months to make it happen and pick up the phone.” After talking with her for almost 40 minutes on my front porch (she is definitely blessed with the gift of gab!) we got her all good to go for the next challenge that was about to start… in June.
It was in the office at the gym when the nickname “Hulk” was first bestowed upon Michelle. For those of you aren’t familiar with the Fitness Rebellion in our neck of the woods, it used to be “Team Hulk” before I was simultaneously selected to be an Anytime Fitness ambassador for a “Rebellion” being started (1 of 50 from all over North America) and served a cease-and-desist from Marvel. Due to my lacking belief in coincidences I believe the Universe had a plan and in this case it was giving “Hulk” a new identity and spirit like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Well, it was smack dab in the middle of all of this when Michelle got herself signed up for the beginning of her Rebel journey. At the time everyone who wasn’t a member of the gym initially was input in the computer with “Hulk” before their last name so the office folk knew they were one of “my people.” When Michelle “Hulk” Huntley appeared on the screen we both thought it had a pretty snazzy ring to it… Little did we know it was symbolic of not only who she was going to become but more so who she had always been all along…
“Hulk” means the world to me not because I’m a fan of the comics and think it’s cool (that is just a bonus) but because of what he represents. We ALL have a beast inside lying dormant until provoked… Do we let it out or stifle it? Everyone knows what being stuck between a rock and a hard place feels like, but how do you respond? Do you submit and cower or do you Hulk out and Hulk smash? If you can’t excel with talent then triumph with effort, and that’s what the Hulk is… Raw effort that doesn’t always look all that pretty but NEVER gives up without a fight… Since Michelle joined up with the Fitness Rebellion a little over a year and a half ago from this write up she has exhibited every bit of that and more. For starters, she’s lost 73 pounds and counting since that day she became the ONLY person I refer to as “Hulk” (fun fact: she bowls with a 15 pound ball so for every 15 pounds she loses she views it as a “strike”). Her very first challenge she earned the coveted “MVH” given out to the “Most Valuable Hulkster” on each team. It’s essentially our Fitness Rebellion’s hall-of-fame induction when you earn that title. 3 completed Rebel challenges later she became the 4th overall recipient of the “Hulk Legend” award. Unlike the “MVH” title this prestigious title is NOT guaranteed to be given out and is only awarded when it happens. The criteria is simple: intangibly representing every aspect of being a Rebel in every way which means never giving up no matter what, upholding the “Rebel Code,” and supporting everyone around you with the heart of a lion in the process. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being a leader of love internally and externally in a way that history books make note about. Michelle has been forever written into the Fitness Rebellion history book and we’re just getting started!
To see Michelle work and “be” is like watching genuine magic. She doesn’t have an ounce of quit in her body and doesn’t accept it from anybody else around her either. Her severe asthma, residual surgery aftermath, and built up bodily limitations leave her needing to modify most exercises and it’s THAT VERY MINDSET that has made Michelle a Legend and a defining example of what “never giving up” truly means. If she can’t do something, she finds a way to do it anyways. “All or nothing” doesn’t exist anymore and in its place is the infinitely more effective “do something.”
“I’m no different than anybody out there. It can always be worse. I mean, I’ve survived 2 bouts of cancer, the loss of my husband, almost 20 surgeries, and more… but I’m alive. I have to take care of me because no one else is going to. It starts within.”
Forever humble through every moment Michelle is the type who you’d never know the accolades she’s achieved because she’d never tell you. Just the same she’ll shrug off what she’s been through as tough but noting that “there are other people out there who have it way worse… We’ve all got a story.” She’s quick to point out her parents as 2 of her most inspiring and shining examples of perseverance that showed her the proper way in handling the tribulations life slings at you. She’s just as speedy to point out that she wouldn’t have made it without her faith, either. The common denominator being she points her finger everywhere else but her when it comes to how amazing she is yet she said it best herself… it starts within.
“If you try to plan it won’t happen, but you can prepare the best you can. I do what I can control and accept what I can’t. I’ve got faith that where I’m supposed to be, I’ll be and that what I’m supposed to do, I’ll do. You’ve got to take it as it comes. It’s all about your mindset. Things will always be tough, and it’s ok to have your moment… but buck up when its time. You’re not going to make it if you don’t keep marching on.”
When Michelle and I first sat down I asked her what she wanted the tone of her story to be. I explained that these stories are THE most viewed component of Timetorebel.com, often garnering thousands of views in the first week alone due to the Facebook shares, retweets, and the Fitness Rebellion’s official Facebook page carrying the story as well… What did she want to say with such a dynamic platform? I wanted her to think about what she was hoping people will take away from her journey and apply to themselves. After a brief pause as she pondered a proper and scholarly answer, she looked at me and said one simple and definitive word I will from here on out always associate with Michelle “Hulk” Huntley;
As of the publishing of this story Michelle has lost 102 lbs and counting!
Click on the workout photo to download the workout itself, the exercise reference guide, and workout tracking sheet!
Set your BOSU down with the black side facing up and step on by pinning one side of the BOSU to the ground with your foot allowing you to swing your other foot to the other side and even yourself out. TADA! You’re in position! From here make sure your feet are as even as possible and commence to squatting! Remember to keep your head up, try not to let your knees go too far forward, and push your hips backward while keeping your chest out like you’re going to sit in a chair. If you’re not accustomed to balance work then it’s going to be a bit shaky at first but as long as you keep at it that shaky feeling will go away!
Set up a bench, plyo box, or stepper (steppers with levels are great for controlling the height of your step up if you need it a bit shorter) and place one foot in the center of it. Keep your heel down as you step all the way up on one leg while doing your best to STAY on one leg (working your balance). Control yourself on the way back down, land as softly as you can, and repeat!
Pick a space or lane where you can lunge forward for a stretch so as to get some mobility out of this one. When stepping to lunge make sure that you step far enough out where your back heel comes off the ground and you have to balance on the ball of your back foot. Focus on bringing your back knee straight down before simultaneously lunging up and stepping forward, repeating the process.
To set the leg extension machine up to your body’s specifications you want to focus on 2 things: the knee pivot point and the shin pivot point. When you set yourself up in the chair the knee pivot point is the black circle on your left next to your left knee. You want your knee and that black circle to line up. If you are too far forward or backward you want to adjust the SEAT BACK by bringing your left arm behind you, pulling the seat adjustment pin straight outward, and adjusting the seat back until your knee is in proper position when seated comfortable. As for the shin pivot point that is what controls the pad on your ankles and is adjusted by the pin at the base of the pad with a “S, M, L, XL” setting. Pick which one is most comfortable for you when doing the leg extension (you might need to stop to adjust and that’s ok).Once all set you simply extend your leg at the knee and squeezes your quads (tops of your thigh). Lower and repeat!
Select your desired kettle bell (you can flip a dumbbell on its side and use that if you want a heavier weight than what is available) and stand over it with a wide, toes out stance. Pick up the kettle bell and let it hang straight down. Your arms are merely the vehicle for the weight so they should hang straight down the entire time. When you squat make sure that the trajectory of the kettle bell is straight up and down. Keep your head up and chest out while making sure your knees stay directly over your feet. Get as close to a 90 degree angle from shin to hip as you can, clench your butt muscles at the top of the motion, and repeat!
The nature of this exercise is to strengthen your hamstrings (back of your thighs) through dynamic stretching. Your lower back is a major part of this exercise as well. You’re going to start by selecting your desired dumbbell weight, let the dumbbells hang at your side, and take a shoulder width stance with your feet. Bending at the waist you’re going to let the weights pull you towards the floor while simultaneously focusing on getting a stretch in your hamstrings. To do this you must keep your legs fully extended but do NOT lock your knee! There is a difference between full extension and locked joints. If you feel a nice stretch in your hamstrings from stretching forward then go as far down as able (don’t force it!) and then keep those very same muscles engaged when you stand back upright. Repeat!
Take a very wide stance and start on whatever side you want. The goal is to extend one leg fully while bending sideways away from the extended leg. You want to focus on a stretch in your inner thigh while getting as low on the “bended knee” side as you can. Stand all the way back up while maintaining your wide stance before stretching to the other side. Repeat! Add dumbbells or a barbell for an added challenge/stretch
Find the leg press machine and make sure the seat is as far up as it goes by pulling the pin out from under the seat and moving accordingly. It can be a bit touchy at times so keep at it and you’ll get it! Once you’ve selected your desired weight place the balls of your feet at the bottom edge of the platform with your heels hanging off. Extend your legs so all the weight is rested on your toes. From here, let the weight push your heels down so you can get a really good calve stretch before reversing direction and raising as high up on your toes as you can. Repeat for allotted rep count!
– Ringmaster8
Click the workout photo to download the workout, reference guide, and tracking sheet!
You will come across this cable apparatus and others like it on your future health journey so I figured some handy instructions for those who aren’t acquainted yet would come in handy.
Adjust the cables so that they are around the height of your waist. Find the single hand grips as picture above and make sure they are attached to the cables. Select your desired weight (it may take a few tries) and take 2 big steps backward with the handles. From here, take a seat with your arms fully extended, stretching out your back. Maintain your seated position as you pull back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Get a good stretch as you let your arms go back to the starting position and repeat!
Adjust the cables so that they are at mid-chest height. Bring your hands up as shown in the 1st photo of the above picture and take 2 steps forward as showcased in the 2nd photo. Maintain your balance and extend your arms all the way out, squeezing them together at the end of the movement while keep your hands at mid-chest height. Bring back to starting position and repeat!
Get in a push-up position only make sure your feet are in a wide stance. Once in position you’re going to do a standard push-up only as you come up you’re going to extend one opposing arm and one opposing leg as high up as you can while still maintaining your balance. Revert back to push-up position, do another push-up, and switch to the opposing limbs. Alternate back and forth and repeat!
Grab your BOSU and dumbbells again only this time you are standing in the center of the BOSU on one leg. Start with whatever leg you want on top of whatever side of the BOSU you need more practice on. Next you’re going to bring your dumbbells up in a “flexed biceps” position while keeping your elbows at shoulder height the entire time! With your leg that is NOT on the BOSU you are going to fully extend it behind you (while staying upright) and then bring your knee back up towards your chest while squeezing your abdominals. Once all repetitions are done, repeat on the other side!
Set a BOSU on the ground and grab a couple of dumbbells that match your ability on this one. Take a kneeling position and balance with your feet of the floor. With your arms fully extended at your side you are going to rotate at the torso as far as you can each side (each side you twist is one rep). Focus on the stretch in your midsection as well as keeping your dumbbells at shoulder height.
Hold a wall sit while keeping your dumbbells in a bicep flex position. Continuously rotate your palms from downward to upward the entirety of the wall sit.
Place your mat underneath the anchor point and lay down on your back so that your hands can press down on the foot cradles with your arms fully extended. Raise both your legs directly above your hips and while pressing down on the TRX straps for leverage elevate your feet as high up towards the ceiling as you can. Control your body and legs on the way back down, then repeat!
Make sure the straps are as long as they can be and sandwich the TRX straps between your arms and body with your back to the anchor point while resting your weight into the handles (this should be “comfortable” for the most part). Get your feet as far back as comfortable and go through a squat motion while staying on your toes. Using the TRX for support you’re going to extend your squat into a jump forward then quickly jumping back to the starting position. Repeat!
Take a stationary lunge position (one foot forward the other stretched behind you balanced on your toe) and then proceed to put your dukes up like you’re ready to start boxing. From here bring your back knee straight down in a standard lunge and then as you come up, punch across your body with the arm that’s on the opposite side of the foot that’s forward. Make sure to fully stretch out your punch to engage as much of your body as possible.
Click on the photo of the workout above to download the workout, reference guide, and tracking sheet directly to your phone, tablet, or computer!
You can do this one in standard push-up position or kneeling, whichever your body can handle. Do a push-up, and at the bottom of the motion reach your harm out and touch as far away as possible before bringing it back and completing the push-up. Alternate each side.
Find a bench, ledge, or chair that you can leverage yourself on to get this one going. Take a seat and place your hands shoulder width apart on the edge of where you’re sitting. Support your weight on your arms as you bring your hips off where you are seated before lowering your body as low as you’re able while bending at the elbow. Push your body straight back up and repeat!
Be sure to keep your abs tight, stance wide, and stay on your toes. Do your best to keep your arms parallel with the floor, but don’t OVER squeeze and strain your neck or back.
Start with 2lb dumbbells and work your way up from there. If you can’t fully extend your arms without them dropping to the floor at the end of the movement, then the weight is too heavy.
Locate the cable row machine and select the weight you feel comfortable with. Grab the handles (any hand grip that has your palms facing each other when they’re holding it), take a seat on the bench, and put your feet in the designated spots to the side of the bench. Keep your core tight and pull your arms back while squeezing your shoulder blades together. Careful not to shrug your shoulders upwards into your ears (very common so be aware!). As you let the weight back down make sure to get a full stretch in the arms before pulling back again and repeating!
Locate the cable machine and rope grip (as pictured). Some cable machines have adjustable pulleys so if that’s your club then learn how to adjust the pulley up and down. The ultimate goal is to get the pull all the way up so you can grab the rope attachment with both arms, standing with a stable shoulder width apart stance, and extend your arms all the way downward while allowing minimal movement in the elbows. Control the weight back up and repeat!
Make sure your handles are SUPER shortened and you have your BOSU underneath the anchor point. You want the handles to be short enough so you can sit on the BOSU securely with your feet extended in front of you while still holding on to the handles with your arms fully extended. Keeping your feet flat on the ground (easier) or staying on just your heels with your legs fully extended (harder) pull yourself as high up as you can while keeping your hips level directly underneath your shoulders. Lower yourself with control and repeat!
Grab only one of your dumbbells with one hand and only one of the TRX straps with the other. Walk into the handle so you are facing the anchor point with your body square and tension on the strap. Keep your dumbbell hanging at your side while using the TRX not only for keeping form but to help pull yourself back up as well. As you come back up curl the dumbbell then do a shoulder press. Bring the dumbbell back down as you squat back down then repeat!
This one should be done kneeling by EVERYBODY. Not because you studs and studettes can’t handle it, but because the goal is complete triceps isolation (as much as possible anyway with a push-up). Remember to keep your elbows in at your side, body in a straight line from knee, to hip, to shoulder (no butts in the air!) and push from the heel of your palms.
– Ringmaster8
Click on the workout photo to download the complete workout, reference guide, and track sheet! AhhhOOO!!
Keep your feet together on this one as you get as close to 90 degrees with your legs as able in a seated position while raising onto your toes repeatedly for a nice calf squeeze while you’re at it.
Go from a full stationary lunge to driving your knee upward towards your chest before dropping back down into a lunge. Repeat! Remember to be mindful of your range of motion. Not only is it important to only go down as far as your body will allow but to also be aware of not working to your full potential with your range of motion (meaning if you can get a lower lunge than you are then you are short changing yourself… stop it.)
Once those skills are learned, pick a weight (not too easy but don’t go for the whole stack of weight or anything…), set your feet shoulder width apart with your knees over your feet, adjust the seat so your legs make a 90 degree angle (or as close to as you can get comfortably), and push! When your legs are fully extended remember NOT to lock your knees. You can get full extension without locking, trust me. From there control your way back down and repeat!
For this one you’re going to find a blank spot on the wall and set yourself up with your back to it. Now you’ll want to take a shoulder width stance anywhere from 6 inches to a foot away from the wall, extend your arms all the way in front of you, and bend at the knees while trying to touch your butt to the wall. Being careful not to rest against the wall (just lightly touch it) you can move farther away from the wall to get lower and closer to the wall if you’re not able to go that far down without falling backwards or hurting your knee. Congratulations, you just did a proper squat! This trains your body how to do a squat the RIGHT way!
Start with the black side of the BOSU upward. Be sure to step in the center of the BOSU to maintain balance and form. Also, be sure to have a long enough stride that you are on the toe of your back foot. The goal is to have your front knee stay above your feet and your back knee drive straight down to the floor.
Start out with one foot atop the center of a BOSU (blue side) with the other foot on the floor. Hop from one side to the other (landing in a semi-crouched position), all while keeping your dumbbells up. If not able to hop, simply transfer each foot side to side with no jump involved.
Take a wide stance squat position with your toes pointed out for proper hip alignment. Squat down center before simultaneously squatting while twisting your torso, making sure to alternate each twist. Remember to full squeeze your butt and hips at the top point of the motion and get as far of a stretch down as you properly can on the bottom end of the spectrum!
Extend your arms in front of you and stay on your toes. In this position push your heels to the ground then raise up on your toes again while squeezing your calves. Repeat! Note: The farther back you are the more difficult it will be.
– Ringmaster8
‘Tis True
Royal Teeth – We Can Glow
Sway – Still Speedin’
OK Go – Get Over It
DJ Snake feat. Lil Jon – Turn Down for What
Tinie Tempah feat.John Martin – Children of the Sun
The Neighbourhood – Afraid
Tech N9ne feat. Serj Tankian & Krizz Kalico – Straight Out the Gate
John Newman – Try
Machine Gun Kelly – Raise the Flag
Lorde – Tennis Court
Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know?
Nappy Roots feat. P.O.D. – Aww Naw (Rock Remix)
Alex Clare – Hummingbird
Eminem feat. Sia – Beautiful Pain
Lorde – Team
Fitz and the Tantrums – Fools Gold
Redfoo – Let’s Get Ridiculous
Echosmith – Cool Kids
Further Seems Forever – Bye Bye Bye
The Fitness Rebellion 