ELIMINATING EXCUSES | fitness

In response to a request for more oblique exercises, I have another winner for you today: standing trunk twists. This exercise works the obliques and the intercostals and is great for toning, definition and attacking love handles. As always, simplicity and effectiveness are desirable when it comes to exercises and this one meets these criteria. Do this exercise standing; keep your feet about shoulder width apart and slightly bend your knees. Bend your arms in front of your chest. Rotate to your left using the muscles in your torso to move your body; you’ll feel this exericse in parts of your back too. Rotate to the left as far as you can comfortably and then do the same to the right. Establish a smooth rhthym rotating from one side to the other. To force the obliques and intercostals to work a bit harder, pause in between your rotations. By doing so, you don’t allow momentum to help move your torso. Now, the muscles in your torso are fully responsible for rotating you to the left and right. Try both techniques and choose the one that suits you needs.

you + eliminatingexcuses.com = DO SOMETHIN’!

This week my objective is to suggest some exercise routines. Please click on the exercise name to link back to my posting for that exercise. Again, these are my suggestions. Please feel free to modify the routine if needed to better suit your needs.

Today, I have my “8-pack” abs routine for you. Why settle for 6 when you can have 8? This routine will burn fat and help you get those defined abs that you’ve been wanting. As always, make sure to warm up/stretch before getting started. The objective is to get an intense workout by doing 3 different abdominal exercises followed by an oblique exercise. Do your best to get in all of your repetitions and stick to the recommended rest period.

*8-pack Abs Routine*
bicycle crunches – 3 x 20-50 reps/set. 60 seconds rest between each set. 60 seconds rest before next exercise.
leg circles – 4 x 10-15 reps/set. 75 seconds rest between sets. 60 seconds rest before next exercise.
full crunches – 3 x 20-50 reps/set. 75 seconds rest between sets. 60 seconds rest before next exercise.
oblique crunches – 3 x 15-30 reps/set. 60 seconds rest between each set.

DO SOMETHIN’!

Today, I want to revisit the exercise that I posted on March 19, 2007: oblique crunches. We did this exercise standing and balanced our weight on one leg as we did the exercise. Some of you commented that this version of the exercise was not as manageable as you would have liked. So I am posting seated oblique crunches today to offer an alternative to the standing oblique crunches. Seated oblique crunches are just as effective at working the obliques as the standing version: 1) Grab a chair and take a seat. Sit up straight. Good posture/form is critical for every exercise we do. 2) Let’s start on the left side. Move your left shoulder down towards your left hip at the same time that you bring your left hip up toward your left shoulder. 3) Work both the right and left side. This exercise will make you feel IRIE! You know what time it is: DO SOMETHIN’!