The scale or a measuring tape should never be the only markers you use to determine if your fitness routine is working. Your cardiovascular health, your muscles' flexibility and your overall strength are often not visible with those measurements. That's why I believe in creating benchmark exercises or benchmark workouts.
Read moreQuick Workout to Get You Ready for Summer
I'm encouraging my clients to add an extra walk, swim, weight lifting session or workout each week in May to help ready them for summer. For many of us, it's been a long winter, and diving into our favorite summer activities sometimes isn't as easy as it was when we last did them in August. I think May is a great time to put out a little extra effort, so you are ready for summer.
To help you get started, here's a quick workout you can do in 20-minutes or less.
Read moreWhat is Dynamic Stretching?
f you've read any fitness magazines or perused online workout videos recently, you've likely encountered the terms "dynamic warm-up" or "dynamic stretching." A dynamic warm-up is a method of stretching at the beginning of a workout that moves your body through various range of motion movements that are similar to a lighter version of your workout.
Read moreLower Body Isometric Burn Workout
I am a huge fan of changing up the format of your workouts: intervals, as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) in a set time, superset strength training workouts, tabata workouts, etc. I designed this workout with the hope that it would change up your routine.
Read moreHip/Knee-Friendly Workout
Many of my clients need workouts that are hip and knee-friendly. I am a firm believer that chronic injuries don't have to derail us from working out. As long as you find ways to exercise without causing harm to the injured or sensitive area, you can find a way to be active. This workout was created to cater to individuals with sensitive knees and hips.
Read moreThe 22 Workout
Last year, a client of mine was participating in the #22PushUpChallenge. After being challenged by her to do 22 push-ups, I created a workout to incorporate 22 repetitions of several exercises for all of my clients.
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Toned Arms Workout - No Weights Needed!
Bingo wings, bat wings, lunch lady arms - these are some of the colorful terms I hear my clients use to talk about their upper arms. Ab workouts and arm workouts are what my clients request the most. The tricky thing about arm workouts is that you can't just do a few sets of arm exercises and immediately have Michelle Obama arms. You also have to throw in some cardio if you have any fat on your arms. You can build muscle, but if you have excess fat on your arms, it's going to be harder to see the muscle. (Also, what you eat can affect this, too. Make healthy choices! )
Read moreSweating it Out - Cardio Workout You Can Do Anywhere!
I usually don't mind doing cardio workouts, but on days when my body is tired, I have to work really hard to muster up the enthusiasm to do the workout. Today was one of those days; I was feeling lethargic. I'm not going to lie - this workout was a challenge for me, but after I was done, I actually had MORE energy. It was worth the effort.
Read moreCalculating Your Target Heart Rate
It's important to know your target heart rate, so you can ensure that you are exercising effectively and safely. Your target heart rate zone will help you determine if your intensity is where it should be to reach your goals.
At Home Beginner Weight Lifting Routine
This strength training workout is designed for beginners or for individuals who need a low impact workout because of knee or hip injuries. All of the moves are bodyweight moves, so you can do this strength training workout at home, the gym or even your hotel room.
Read more10-Minute Full Body Workout
If you are short on time, this is a quick, full-body workout that combines both cardio and strength training moves.
Read more12 Days of Christmas Bodyweight Workout
This is a fun, easy-to-follow workout that will work your entire body. All you need is your own bodyweight and about 30-40 minutes. Happy Holidays!
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 10
12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 10: Lunge it, Lunge it, Lunge it! Find a track nearby (or an indoor gym) and prepare to do some lunges. Advanced option - Lunge around the entire circle of the track! Intermediate - Lunge 50-100 yards (about 50 lunges each leg); Beginner - 25 lunges each leg. Modification for individuals who don't lunge: sit on the ground and raise one leg up. Swing that leg to the side and back to the starting position. That's one rep. Complete 25 reps per leg.
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 9
12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 9: Try this 7-Minute "I-Don't-Have-Time-to-Exercise" workout.
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 7
Day 7: Pick out your favorite stretch and DO IT! Make sure you do some light activity beforehand, so you aren't stretching a cold muscle. Maybe you need to stretch your calves or hamstrings or need to do gentle neck rolls to relieve some tension and soreness. Pick one and give your body the gift of stretching!
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 6
Day 6: Steppin' it UP! Find a place where you can "step up" for 5 minutes. Advanced/Intermediate - Run stairs for 5 minutes or jog each step up and down. Beginner - step the same lead foot up and down on a step for 30 seconds; switch to the other foot. Perform the exercise for 3-5 minutes. Take breaks if you get need to!
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 4
Day 4: Work those legs - lying side leg raises. Advanced option - 45 per leg, Intermediate - 30 per leg and Beginner - 15 per leg. A great way to make sure you are in alignment while doing these is to lay on your side with your back, bottom and legs pressed against the wall. Your top leg will slide up along the wall as you do your raise.
12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 3
12 Days of Health & Fitness - Day 3: Do your age in push-ups. If you are 45, you have 45 push-ups to do throughout the day. Beginner modification - complete 15 push-ups standing (against the wall) or on the ground.
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 2
Day 2 - Balance on one leg: advanced option - strive to reach 4 minutes in total balance hold; intermediate - complete 2 minutes in total balance hold; and beginner - 40 seconds in total balance hold. Alternate legs throughout the time, so you practice balancing on both legs.
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness: Day 1
Day 1 of 12 Days of Fitness & Health: Pay for your Productivity - Do one burpee (with push-up!) for every email and/or text you received and sent today. Low-impact option: Do a stepback - take out the jump (squat down and place hands on ground, step back into plank, do a push-up, step feet back to hands and stand up).
Beginner Option - Do a modified Jumping Jack. Take out the jump - alternate stepping feet out as your arms come overhead.
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