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How This Workout Works
This toning twofer is the perfect in-a-pinch lean routine. “It’s like doing a kick-butt cardio workout, but with the added benefits of weights,” says trainer Holly Rilinger, who leads her superpopular Training Camp in New York City. Rilinger designed each sculpting exercise to target your total body — hello, bigger calorie burn! — then added some fast-feet intervals to boost your metabolism even higher. Here’s how it works: Have a pair of five- to 10-pound dumbbells handy, and after completing every two moves, go straight into a 30-second cardio blast — for beginners, that’s walking or doing step-ups; for gym regulars, that’s jumping an imaginary rope or doing burpees. Catch your breath, then pick up your weights again for the next pair of strength moves. Do two circuits two to three times a week for a tight bod you’ll love to bare
Plank, Row, Flye
Targets shoulders, back, biceps, and abs
- Start on floor in full push-up position, holding a dumbbell in each hand, hands under shoulders and legs extended behind you, forming a straight line from head to heels. MAKE IT EASIER: Start in modified push-up position on knees.
- Drive right elbow behind you, bringing weight near ribs; lower.
- Next, lift extended right arm out to side at shoulder level, elbow slightly bent; lower to complete 1 rep.
- Do 20 reps, alternating sides.
Scorpion Extension
Targets shoulders, triceps, butt, and legs
- Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms extended overhead, holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
- Lunge back with left leg, bringing left foot directly behind right and bending both knees 90 degrees (like a curtsy); simultaneously bend elbows 90 degrees to lower weights behind head.
- Return to start.
- Do 20 reps, alternating sides.
Tap and Curl
Targets shoulders, back, biceps, butt, and hamstrings
- Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms by sides, holding a dumbbell in right hand; lift right foot a few inches behind you.
- Keeping left knee slightly bent, hinge forward from hips and reach weight toward left foot, with right leg extended behind you.
- Stand back up on both feet, then bend right elbow by ribs to curl weight toward right shoulder; lower dumbbell to return to start.
- Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat.
Dumbbell Slide
Targets shoulders, arms, butt, and legs
- Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart, holding ends of a single dumbbell with both hands in front of chest, elbows out to sides.
- Squat and, while remaining in a low squat, side step to left. Do 2 to 3 steps to left, then rotate upper body to left. Return upper body to center to complete 1 rep.
- Staying in squat, do 10 reps, alternating direction of side step and rotation.
One-Arm Snatch
Targets shoulders, arms, butt, and legs
- Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out slightly, a dumbbell on floor in front of you.
- Squat and grab weight with left hand.
- Stand up quickly, drawing left elbow out to side to bring weight in front of chest; immediately extend left arm overhead, palm facing forward.
- Reverse movement to lower weight to floor and repeat. Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat.
Wraparound
Targets shoulders, abs, and obliques
- Lie faceup on floor, arms extended behind head, holding a single dumbbell with both hands. MAKE IT EASIER: Hold dumbbell up toward ceiling and have knees bent, feet flat on floor.
- Raise right leg about 90 degrees as you lift head and shoulders off floor, chin tucked; simultaneously reach arms toward legs, passing weight from right hand to left hand behind right leg. Lower to start.
- Do 20 reps, alternating legs.
Cheerleader Lunge
Targets shoulders, chest, arms, abs, butt, and legs
- Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in left hand with arm extended overhead, palm facing right.
- Lunge back with right leg, bending both knees 90 degrees as you lower weight toward shoulder, keeping left elbow close to side. Return to start.
- Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat.
Two-Way Wood Chop
Targets shoulders, obliques, butt, and legs
- Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, holding a single dumbbell with both hands, arms extended slightly in front of you.
- Shifting weight to right leg, bend right knee as you bring dumbbell to outside of right knee.
- Pivoting on right foot, swing dumbbell diagonally up to left as you turn slightly to left.
- Reverse movement to lower weight by right knee again.
- Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat. For the next set, begin chop high with dumbbell over shoulder rather than low and with dumbbell near knee.