Lower Body/Bodyweight Back

Cardio: Go for a 45-60 minute walk/jog. Try to push yourself and run as far as you can before stopping to walk. Workout Details: Perform each of the 3 workout sets 2-3 times through, doing 15 repetitions of each exercise in the set (unless otherwise noted). Rest for 15-30 seconds in between exercises and 1 minute between sets. This workout should take around 30 minutes.

Set 1

Squats

Begin in standing position with feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent. Gently sit back as if onto a chair behind you and stand back up. Focus on keeping your body weight pressed into the heels of your feet, not your toes to protect your knees.

Plie Squats

Stand with your feet wider than hip width apart, toes facing the opposite corners of the room. With your back straight and abdominals engaged, slowly lower the body down into a squat. Focus on keeping your body weight pressed into the heels of your feet, not your toes, to protect your knees.

Squat Jumps

Stand with your feet hip width apart and knees soft/slightly bent. Squat back as if sitting on a chair as low as you can, then propel forward as you jump straight up in the air. Make sure you land on the balls of your feet and keep the knees soft through the exercise to help you protect your joints.

Set 2

30 Seconds of High Knees

Begin by standing with your feet hip width apart and knees slightly bent. Alternate lifting your legs up in front of you, leading with the knees as high as you possibly can. Go as fast as possible to increase heart rate and caloric burn. This exercise can be done as a plyometric (jumping) movement, or a stepping movement for lower impact activity.

Alternating Front Lunges

Begin by standing with feet together. Step one foot forward as far as you can and bend both knees. Press your weight into the front heel and the back toes. Make sure you are maintaining a straight back and looking straight forward, but not leaning forward. Both legs should reach as close to a 90-degree angle as possible. Step back and repeat with the other leg. Modification-if knees are weak, you can shorten your range of motion and just lower about 25% to decrease pressure in the knees.

Lateral Lunge with Knee Raise

Stand with feet wider than hip width apart, toes facing forward. Gently lean over to the right side of the body then back to center, bringing your right knee up as high as you can. Make sure to keep your weight over your heels and not the toes. This will protect the knees from too much pressure. Keep the back straight and abdominals engaged through the exercise.

Set 3

Single Leg Glute Bridge

Lying on your back, on the ground or a mat, bend the knees and place feet firmly on the ground. Lift one leg up to the ceiling, while placing the other heel down firmly, slowly lift your glute (butt) off the ground, aiming the opposite foot towards the ceiling. Slowly lower, making sure to not let your glutes completely touch the ground with each rep. Finish reps on one leg and repeat with other leg.

Side Plank Leg Lifts

Begin in a side plank position, holding your bodyweight up with your left hand and left foot. Make sure the spine is in a straight line and abdominals are engaged. Slowly lift the right leg up towards the sky, leading with the heel. Finish reps and repeat with other leg.

Plank Jacks

Begin in a high plank position with body and spine straight, shoulders over wrists and abdominals engaged. Jump your feet out to the side as fast as you can and back in. Repeat for 30 seconds, aiming to increase heart rate as much as possible.

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Bodyweight Core Workout

Cardio: Go for a 45-60 minute walk/jog. Try to push yourself and run as far as you can before stopping to walk. Workout Details: Perform each of the 3 workout sets 2-3 times through, doing 15 repetitions of each exercise in the set (unless otherwise noted). Rest for 15-30 seconds in between exercises and 1 minute between sets. This workout should take around 30 minutes.

Set 1

Plank BirdDog

Begin in a plank position, supporting your body with your hands directly under your shoulders and the body completely straight. Reach your right arm up and straight in front of you while simultaneously lifting your left leg out and back behind you. Imagine you are reaching to opposite walls with your fingers and toes. Return to the starting position and repeat with the other arm/leg. This is one rep. Continue with both sides to complete the set.

30 second Plank

Begin in a tabletop position on hands and knees. Step your feet back into a plank position while supporting your upper body with hands directly under your shoulders. Keep back straight, arms straight directly under your shoulders, and abdominals engaged. Hold the position for 30 seconds.

Alternating Side Plank

Begin on your right side with one hand supporting your body directly under your shoulder. Stretch your legs out to a fully straight position and bring the body up into a side plank, fully supported by your right arm and right foot. Keep your body in a straight side plank position and hold for 1-2 seconds. Be sure to keep your abdominals engaged and your neck in neutral alignment with your spine throughout the exercise to protect your back. Turn the body to a plank with both hands on the ground and switch to the other side. This is one rep. Complete all reps with both sides of the body.

Set 2

Sit-ups

Lay on a mat face up with back straight, both feet on the ground and hands behind your head. Engage your abdominals and press your lower back into the ground while lifting your upper body off the ground. Bring your upper body as high as you can to a full sit-up position. Keep the chin pointed up and not tucked, and your neck/shoulders relaxed throughout the movement. Slowly lower the body to the starting position and repeat.

Bicycle Twist

Lay on a mat face up with back straight, both feet on ground and hands behind your head. Bring your feet down and out away from you, hovering above the ground. Bring your left knee in towards the right elbow, gently twisting the body while you do so. Return to the starting position and repeat with the other side.

Leg Drops

Lay on a mat face up with back straight, arms down by your sides and palms facing down. Gently bring both legs up straight towards the ceiling to begin the exercise. Slowly lower the legs down to a hover above the ground and then back up. Only bring the legs as low as you can, without reaching the point of feeling a pull in your lower back. If you feel any pressure in your lower back, modify the exercise so that you don’t bring the legs to a fully lowered position and keep this lower range of motion throughout the set.

Set 3

DeadBug

Lay on a mat face up with back straight and arms reaching straight towards the ceiling. Bend the knees with your feet raised so that the lower legs are parallel to the floor. Begin to bring your right arm down towards the floor while simultaneously bringing the left leg towards the floor, keeping both right arm and left leg straight as you lower. Bring them back to the starting position and repeat with other sides. This is one rep. Repeat all reps to finish the set.

30 second Hollow Hold

Begin by lying face up on a mat. Bring your arms and legs out away from you and gently lift them up while engaging the abdominals. Be sure to look straight ahead, keeping your neck and shoulders relaxed to avoid unnecessary tension. Keep arms and legs fully engaged and breathe through the exercise. Hold for 30 seconds.

Plank Opposite Knee to Elbow

Begin in a plank position, holding the body up with hands directly under your shoulders and legs straight. Bring the left knee in towards your chest and reach it to the right elbow. It’s ok if you can’t fully reach to the elbow, just get as far as you can. Return to starting position and repeat with the other leg. This is one rep. Complete all reps on both sides to finish the set.

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Upper Body/Bodyweight

Cardio: Go for a walk/jog. Try to push yourself and run as far as you can before stopping to walk. Workout Details: Perform each of the 3 workout sets 2-3 times through, doing 15 repetitions of each exercise in the set (unless otherwise noted). Rest for 15-30 seconds in between exercises and 1 minute between sets. This workout should take around 30 minutes.

Set 1

Inchworms with 10 second plank hold

Beginning in a standing position, slowly bend over and walk your arms out to a plank position, hold for 10 seconds, then slowly walk back and stand up straight. Keep your knees slightly bent throughout the exercise, bracing your core and keeping back straight.

Push-ups

Begin in a plank position, with back straight and core engaged. Keep arms out laterally slightly beyond your shoulders at chest height and the body as straight as possible in a plank position. Begin to slowly lower your body down as far as you can and push back up.

1 Minute Plank Hold

Begin on the ground and hold a plank position with the body fully straight, arms directly below the shoulders and supporting the weight of your body with arms and feet. Engage the abdominals and maintain a straight back. Hold for a full minute.

Set 2

Tricep Push-ups

Keep arms straight directly below your shoulders (narrow stance) at chest height and the body as straight as possible in a plank position. Begin to slowly lower your body down with arms close to your ribcage and elbows facing behind you as far as you can and push back up.

Tricep Dips-straight leg

Using a chair, step, couch or other elevated surface, place your hands facing palm down. Keep arms close to your body with elbows facing behind you. With back straight, arms and legs straight out in front of you, lower the body down in front of the chair. Work to keep your back as close as you can to the chair without actually touching it. Push the body back up to starting position.

25 Jumping Jacks

Begin in a standing position and jump your legs out lateral while also reaching your arms out laterally and above your head. To modify this movement you can also step out instead of jumping.

Set 3

SuperMan with Retraction

Begin by lying on your stomach with arms and legs straight, gently lift arms and legs upward towards the ceiling all at the same time. Be sure to engage abdominals, glutes and hamstrings as you lift.

Plank Shoulder Taps

Begin on the ground in a plank position with legs straight. Take one hand and reach across the body to touch the opposite shoulder, then repeat with the other arm.

30 second Mountain Climbers

Begin on the ground and hold the body in a straight plank position. Lift the right foot and bring the knee forward under the body towards the chest. Repeat with your left foot. Make sure to do this as fast as you can to increase heart rate.

Lower Body Gym WorkoutBack

Cardio: Go for a 45-60 minute walk/jog. Try to push yourself and run as far as you can before stopping to walk. Workout Details: Perform each of the 3 workout sets below 2-3 times through, doing 12-15 repetitions of each exercise in the set (unless otherwise noted) You should make sure to choose a weight level that creates muscle fatigue, where you feel like you can’t lift for any more reps. Rest for 15-30 seconds in between exercises and 1 minute between sets. This workout should take around 30 minutes.

Set 1

Leg Press Machine

Begin seated in the machine with your back fully supported. Some gyms offer a lying down or seated option-both are appropriate, try either position to see which feels best for you. Place your feet on the pad at a high enough position that your legs are almost at a 90-degree angle. You don’t ever want to have your knees go up above your toes during the motion. Bracing your core, push back through your feet, pressing your weight through your heels, not the toes. This will protect your knees. Make sure to squeeze your glutes throughout the movement to help engage more of your hips and butt.

Leg Curl Machine

Begin by lying on your stomach, holding comfortably onto the handles under the bench. Position your body so that your knees are just beyond the length of the bench and in line with the pivot on the machine. Slowly bend your knees and bring your feet as far up and in as possible, engaging your glutes through the entire movement. Return to starting position, making sure that you don’t fully extend or lock the knees before curling again.

Leg Extension Machine

Begin seated on the machine with feet behind the footpad and knees at the edge of the seat. Make sure you have adjusted the machine so that you can maintain a straight back while extending. Holding gently on the handles, engage your abdominals and slowly lift the legs to a full extension just before locking the knees, then slowly lower to the starting point.

Set 2

Dumbbell Squats

Begin in standing position with feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent, holding a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing the center of your body. Gently sit back as if onto a chair behind you and stand back up. Focus on keeping your body weight pressed into the heels of your feet, not your toes to protect your knees.

Dumbbell Walking Lunges

Begin by standing with feet together, holding a dumbbell in each hand and palms facing the center of your body. Slowly step forward with one foot, a big enough step to be able to get the knees bent to 90-degree angles. Lunge down to the ground as low as you can, bracing your abdominals and keeping your back straight. Try to avoid the urge to lurch forward with your upper body as much as possible. Keep the weight pressed into the heel of your forward foot and the toe of your back foot. Modification-if knees are weak, you can shorten your range of motion and just lower about 25% to decrease pressure in the knees.

Dumbbell Sumo Squats

Stand with your feet wider than hip width apart, toes facing the opposite corners of the room. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing behind you and arms hanging comfortably in front of you. With your back straight and abdominals engaged, slowly lower the body down into a sumo squat, go as low as you can with an attempt to reach a 90-degree angle with your legs. Focus on keeping your body weight pressed into the heels of your feet, not your toes, to protect your knees.

Set 3

Cable Machine Kickbacks

Begin by securing the ankle strap of the cable machine around one ankle. Turn facing the machine, and if comfortable you can hold the side of the machine with one or both hands. Lean slightly forward toward the machine and reach your leg up and back in a “kicking” motion. Make sure to keep the knees of both legs soft but not bent at any point of the movement. Slowly lower the leg just to a hover above the ground. Complete one set with one leg and repeat on the other side.

Cable Machine Abduction-Leg lifts

Begin by securing the ankle strap of the cable machine around one ankle. Turn laterally next to the machine, and if comfortable you can hold the side of the machine with your supporting hand. Slowly lift the exercising leg up and out laterally, away from your body as high as you comfortably can. Make sure to keep the knees of both legs soft but not bent at any point of the movement. Slowly lower the leg just to a hover above the ground. Complete one set with one leg and repeat with the other side.

Cable Machine Adduction-Inner Thighs

Begin by securing the ankle strap of the cable machine around one ankle. Turn laterally next to the machine, and if comfortable you can hold the side of the machine with your supporting hand. Slowly lift the exercising leg up and in front of your body, crossing over as far as you comfortably can. Focus your attention on using your adductors, or inner thighs to do this movement. Make sure to keep the knees of both legs soft but not bent at any point of the movement. Slowly lower the leg just to a hover above the ground. Complete one set with one leg and repeat with the other side.

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Upper Body Gym Workout

Cardio: Go for a 45-60 minute walk/jog. Try to push yourself and run as far as you can before stopping to walk. Workout Details: Perform each of the 3 workout sets below 2-3 times through, doing 12-15 repetitions of each exercise in the set (unless otherwise noted) You should make sure to choose a weight level that creates muscle fatigue, where you feel like you can’t lift for any more reps. Rest for 15-30 seconds in between exercises and 1 minute between sets. This workout should take around 30 minutes.

Set 1

Wide Grip Lat Pull Down

Sit facing the machine with knees under the support bar. Reach up and grab the wide grip bar, holding it as close to the ends as you can reach. Lean back, engaging your abdominals and slightly arching your back. Look up as you pull the bar down towards your chest and back up.

Seated Row

Sit facing the machine with feet resting on the foot pedals or the ground (depending on machine). Make sure your knees are slightly bent, but not too much so that you’ll hit them when you pull back. Keeping abdominals engaged and back straight, pull the handles toward you. As you pull, make sure your arms are tucked in close to your rib cage. Bring arms back to straight/starting point position.

Cable Machine Tricep Extension

Stand facing the cable machine leaning slightly forward, holding the bar (or rope) palms down at chest height. Slowly exhale and push down, keeping your arms back and neck relaxed. Return to starting point.

Set 2

Dumbbell Bicep Curls

Begin by standing with feet hip width apart, knees soft and back straight. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing forward. Brace your abdominals as you gently lift the dumbbells forward and up in a curling motion. Be sure to keep your back straight and avoid arching or pushing forward during the movement. The only things that should move are your arms. Return arms down to starting position.

Dumbbell Lateral Shoulder Raise

Begin by standing with feet hip width apart, knees soft and back straight. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with arms bent 90-degrees at each side, palms facing each other. Brace your abdominals as you gently lift the dumbbells laterally up and out away from your body, stopping at shoulder height. Make sure your entire arm lifts at the same time so that the dumbbells end at shoulder height at the same time as your elbows. Be sure to keep your back straight and avoid arching or pushing forward during the movement. The only things that should move are your arms. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed as you lift. Return arms down to starting position.

Dumbbell Alternating Front Raise

Begin by standing with feet hip width apart, knees soft and back straight. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing behind you. Brace your abdominals as you gently lift your right arm up in front of you, keeping the arm straight but not fully locked. Slowly lower the right arm and repeat with the left. Be sure to keep your back straight and avoid arching or pushing forward during the movement. The only things that should move are your arms.

Set 3

Chest Fly Machine

Begin by sitting on the machine facing away from it, making sure you are sitting straight up with your back against the supports and feet resting comfortably. Hold each handle in a position so that your arms are straight out laterally but not locked-they should have a slight bend. Both arms should be at chest height, slightly below your shoulders. Slowly bring your arms forward and in, towards each other until they meet in the middle. Try not to grip too hard on the handles or to lock your elbows at any point during the movement. Return back to starting position.

Reverse Fly Machine

Begin by sitting on the machine facing towards it, making sure you are sitting straight up with your chest against the supports and feet resting comfortably. Hold each handle in a position so that your arms are straight out in front of you but not locked-they should have a slight bend. Both arms should be at chest height, slightly below your shoulders. Slowly bring your arms out and back until they are in line with the trunk of your body. Make sure you don’t hyperextend past your body at any point during the set. Try not to grip too hard on the handles or to lock your elbows at any point during the movement. Return back to starting position.

Chest Press Machine

Begin by sitting on the machine facing away from it, making sure you are sitting straight up with your back against the supports and feet resting comfortably. Hold each handle in a position so that your arms are at chest height, slightly below your shoulders. Slowly begin to push forward using your chest and arms, while engaging your abdominals. Try not to grip too hard on the handles or to lock your elbows at any point during the extension phase. Return back to starting position.