Olly is the Short Motivation fitness and training advisor. He is a level-3 PT instructor, specialising in TRX and kettlebell instruction, and manages his own gym in the United Kingdom.
This article is one of three to be posted with workout ideas to really target your core, build ab definition and burn fat at the same time. The idea behind the three articles is that they require little to no equipment and space therefore being able to be completed anytime anywhere.
If there’s one thing Short Motivation will encourage you to do, try and get outside and use the environment for whilst exercising. With this in mind, regular steps can be used to provide an excellent heart-raising workout.
A plyometric box is a great way to make a whole host of exercises more strenuous and higher intensity. You can advance a plyometric box workout by incorporating a weight, such as a kettlebell. This can make exercise harder and useful for engaging your core, as your body has to stabilise the extra weight.
The kettlebell is a hugely universal piece of fitness equipment, where the mobility and diversity makes it perfect for almost anyone. It is particularly useful to take outdoors or on holiday, as there is no need for any other equipment and the rugged nature of a good kettlebell means it doesn’t matter if you throw it around or get it dirty!
Using a plyometric (plyo) box to change up a workout program is really effective. Plyometrics are really useful to break through plateaus and keep the participant progressing. The only caution with plyometrics is that it is a high impact/ high weight-bearing group of exercises, therefore people with joint issues or overcoming injuries should avoid until strength and proprioception is regained.
You’ve finished your session and are good to go home, right? Wrong. Completing a cool down should be integrated at the end of every session as a way to wind down, reduce your heart level and bring everything back down from the intense level you’ve just been training at for the last 30 minutes or more.
It’s thoroughly recommended that you run through a comprehensive warm up before you start any physical exercise. This helps to minimise the likelihood of injury occurring and also maximises your potential for that session, if your muscles are warmer they will work optimally.
When you take on any new activity, getting up to speed with knowledge, terms used and shortcuts involved, takes some time. Within this article we’re aiming to get you up to speed with some of the terminology used when you start your new fitness regime (which, incidentally, people refer to as “training” or “working out”) and to achieve your goals.
Resistance bands are some of the most diverse and mobile pieces of equipment available. Convenient for taking on trips away due to the lightweight and compact nature of them, a great alternative to multiple heavy dumbbells.
Using the RIP trainer is like having your own portable cable machine, but with more diversity. With the varying levels of resistance cords and a karabiner to attach to almost anything it’s another great piece of equipment to take with you into the park and get an awesome workout done.