5 Exercises To Incorporate Into Your Workout Routine

When it comes to fitness, we’ve all got a set of goals. And, a popular fitness goal is to get a lean and toned body. Celebrities and fitness experts make it look easy. But, they generally have a team of experts dedicated to the task of making them look good. And, gyms that promise similar results tend to be a little too expensive.

Here’s where bodyweight exercises come in. These exercises use your weight as resistance against gravity. This makes them a great option for people who want to get toned. Here are 6 of these exercises that you should incorporate into your workout routine.

# Plank

If washboard abs are on your list of goals, then planks are the way to go. This exercise engages all of your core muscles (front, back, and sides) and are easier on the back. Here’s how you should go about a plank.

- Lie on your stomach with your palms on the floor, fingers facing forward, and elbows close to your shoulder.
- Bring your elbows close to you so they are in line with your shoulders.
- Tighten your core and slowly lift your torso and thighs off the floor.
- Adjust the position of your neck so it’s in line with your back and hips, as if you were a plank of wood.
- Move your shoulders away from your knees and make sure that they’re positioned right above your elbows.
- Hold this position for 20 seconds and slowly lower yourself down, without breaking your form.

# Jump Squats

Squats are a part of most exercise routines. This is because they build strength in your legs and your hips and tone them up. An easy way to increase the intensity of squats and work on your endurance at the same time is to add a jump to your squats. Here’s how you can go about it.

- Place your feet shoulder-width apart. You could either have your arms next to you or in front of you.
- Bend your knees and hips, and lower your buttocks about 8 inches down. Make sure to keep your back flat as you do this.
- Shift your weight slightly on to your heels and make sure that your knees don’t go beyond your toes.
- From this position, jump up and reach your arms overhead.
- As you come down, go back to a squat position.

Initially, you could try doing as many repetitions as you can. You could then work your way up to 8–12 repetitions.

# Walkout

This exercise tones your abs, obliques, deltoids, hamstrings, and triceps. It also improves your flexibility and shoulder strength. Although this exercise can seem deceptively easy, it’s important to pay attention to your form so as to avoid any injuries. Here’s how you can do the walk out.

- Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
- Bend over and place your hands on the floor right in front of your feet.
- Shift your weight onto your hands and begin to walk them forward. Tighten your core, squeeze your glutes, and keep your back flat as you do this.
- Walk out until your hands are beneath your shoulders, in a plank position. At this point, your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your feet.
- Walk your hands back until you’re back on your feet.

Repeat this exercise as often as you can and work your way up the repetitions as it gets easier. Be sure to not let your hips sag at any point during this exercise.

# Mountain Climbers

This exercise is challenging and makes for a full body workout. Specifically, mountain climbers tone your deltoids, biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, obliques, rectus abdominis, lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip adductors, and hip abductors. Here’s how you can go about doing this exercise.

- Assume a plank position and ensure that your hands are directly under your chest, at shoulder width apart.
- Make sure that your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles.
- Lift your right foot off the floor and bring your knee close to your chest.
- Return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg.
- Quicken your pace and continue alternating.

As with the other exercises, start with an easy number of repetitions and work your way up. To increase the intensity of the exercise, place your hands on a block or an elevated platform.

# Push Ups

When it comes to exercising, push ups are classic. And, this is because they work on your chest, legs, shoulders, hips, arms, and core. In order to get the most out of this exercise, it’s important for you to pay attention to your form throughout. Here’s how you can go about a push up.

- Begin in a full plank position with your arms extended. Your palms should be flat on the floor and in line with your shoulders.
- Place your feet 12 inches apart and stay on your toes. Keep your weight evenly distributed and your back straight.
- Look down and lower your body with your elbows close to your chest, until your elbows are at 90 degrees.
- Push yourself back up to complete one push-up.