5 Total-Body Moves to Start Your Day

by Lauren Sesselmann
Share it:
5 Total-Body Moves to Start Your Day

Believe me even as an Olympic athlete, there are days when fitting in a workout feels like the last thing I want to do. But with my 10-minute, total-body workout, there’s no reason to skip another workout, as you can squeeze this in before the rest of the day gets in the way. So wake up, jump out of bed, and get your workout on in the comfort of your own home—no equipment necessary.

Below are five of my favorite total-body exercises. Perform each for 30 seconds or 30 reps, and repeat for 3 to 4 sets or as much as you choose. Enjoy and stay Fit As A Pro on The Go!

1. Good Mornings: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly and place your hands interlocked on the back of your head. Keep your core tight, push your feet into the ground, and with your back straight (do not hunch), bend over until you feel the burn in your glutes and hamstrings. Return to the starting position.

2. Prisoner Squats: Place your feet into a wide-squat position. Place your hands interlocked behind your head. Roll up onto the balls of your feet. Keep your back aligned and your core engaged while you perform a squat. Make sure your knees do not go over your toes. Return to standing. Keep your heels off the floor until all reps are done.

3. Diagonal Lunge with Reach: While standing, lunge diagonally to your right. As you lunge, reach forward with your hands and try to reach as close to your feet as possible. Keep your core tight as you bring your right foot back to standing position. Then repeat the same motion on your left side. While performing this exercise, make sure your knees do not go over your toes. Perform 15 reps on each side.

4. Spiderman Push-up: One of my favorites exercises! Get into a plank position with hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your butt down and your body aligned, core tight. While in a plank position, take your right knee and bring it towards your right elbow while performing a push-up. Come out of the push-up, bringing your right knee back to the beginning. Then repeat on the opposite side by bringing your left knee to left elbow while doing a push-up. Perform 15 reps on each side.

5. Russian Kicks: Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet on the ground. Place your hands shoulder-width apart and behind your back with fingers pointing away from you. Lift your butt of the ground while keeping your core tight/glutes engaged. Kick your right leg up in the air and then quickly bring it back down and kick up your left leg. The purpose of this exercise is to go as fast as you can. Use your arms for balance. You should feel this exercise from top to bottom!

About the Author

Lauren Sesselmann

Lauren Sesselmann is a professional soccer player for the Houston Dash in the NWSL and the Canadian national team. She won a gold medal in the 2011 Pan Am Games and a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics. She recently competed in the 2015 World Cup. She is also the host and coproducer of the “Fit as a Pro” DVDs, available at fitasapro.com. Look for her in “Dark Awakening,” her first film role.

Related

Never Miss a Post!

Turn on MyFitnessPal desktop notifications and stay up to date on the latest health and fitness advice.

Great!

Click the 'Allow' Button Above

Awesome!

You're all set.