The Fat Burn Revolution (47 page)

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Authors: Julia Buckley

BOOK: The Fat Burn Revolution
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Squat jumps fire up lots of large muscle groups, but the thighs and bum are the main players in this explosive move. As well as torching a ton of
calories, squat jumps build strength and power in the lower body. It’s not an easy one, but when you master it and become able to get a lot of air between your feet and the ground, it feels
amazing.

1
Get into a squat position (as in the squat exercise,
here
), arms by your sides.

2
From the bottom of the squat push the feet into the floor to jump up off the ground, raise your arms to the ceiling as you leap up.

3
Land as softly as you can, with knees bent, planting the balls of your feet first, then come back down into the original squat position to repeat
the movement.

 

TIPS

You should only attempt this move once you are proficient in the standard squat exercise

Keep your core tight and your back straight

Jump up quickly, initiating the leap from the squat position (do not stand up and then jump)

Move as fast as you can, but do not sacrifice good technique for speed

speed bag

Show your body how much you want this

target area
arms & shoulders               

This exercise mimics the speed-bag training boxers use to teach their arms to move quickly. We’re using it because it’s a great fast-paced
upper body move to do while our legs get a bit of a rest. You probably don’t have a real speed bag to practise with, but that’s OK, an imaginary one will do fine.

1
Stand in front of your imaginary speed bag, clench your fist and bring them up to eye level, one just in front of the other. Let your elbows point
out to the sides.

2
Pretend to repeatedly punch the speed bag by rotating your fists, as fast as you can, around each other in a small circle. Ensure the arms
don’t drop down as they get tired, keep the fists up at eye level and don’t slow down.

3
Continue the movement for 30 seconds in one direction then rotate the arms in the opposite direction for another 30 seconds.

 

TIPS

Keep your back straight and your head up

Move your fists as fast as you can

Do not take your eyes off your hands

Make sure your fists don’t drift in too close to your head – you do not want to hit yourself in the face!

split jump

Willpower is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

target area
bum, thighs & core               

Split jumps stoke up the metabolism by working the large muscles in the thighs and buttocks hard and fast. You’ll be building explosive power as
well as firming and strengthening the whole lower body in this move, which is a progression of the split squat.

1
Set yourself up in the split squat position with your arms bent by your sides.

2
From the bottom of the split squat, power up into a jump, switching the position of the legs as you leave the ground.

3
Land as softly as you can with the opposite leg in front. That is one repetition.

 

TIPS

Exhale as you jump, inhale as you land

Pump your elbows as you jump, landing with the opposite elbow to knee forward

You feet should always point forward as should your knees

Move as quickly as you can while maintaining good technique

mountain climber

Work it for your ‘After’ photo

target area
shoulders, thighs, bum, core & back               

Mountain climbers are fantastic exercise, offering a total body workout in a single ‘do anywhere’ move. They are hard-core, but if you want to
burn body fat these will definitely get you ignited!

1
Start in a straight-arm plank position with your hands on the mat directly under your shoulders, legs extended behind you, balancing on the balls
of your feet. Your body should form a straight line from head to heels.

2
Bring your right knee towards your chest and let the foot tap the ground before quickly extending it back and bringing the left foot up to tap the
ground.

3
Start off slowly, but once you’ve mastered the technique pump the legs as fast as you can, bringing the knee up at the same time as the
opposite leg thrusts back out behind you so that both feet are off the ground during the transition.

 

TIPS

Keep your back straight, core tight, neck in-line with spine

If you find this difficult because you don’t have enough flexibility in your hips, place your hands on a step or other sturdy platform to elevate the upper
body

Aim to stop your hips rising up as you switch legs

The palms should stay flat on the ground throughout the exercise

concentration curl

You will only succeed by doing what you need to do, when you feel like it and when you don’t.

target area
upper arms               

 

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