Fitness
“These compound mat exercises work multiple muscles with the same intensity as a boot camp class and give you a lean yoga physique,” says trainer Michelle Dozois, the creator of the new BodyFit 360 DVD. The fresh movement patterns cover all your hot spots, so expect firmer, fiercer arms, abs, glutes, and thighs with every session. Roll out your yoga mat and let the slimming begin.
JACKKNIFE
Targets shoulders, triceps, abs, and legs
– Sit on floor with knees bent, feet flat and palms on floor by sides. Lean torso back 45 degrees and lift butt a few inches.
– Extend left leg forward a few inches off floor.
– Raise extended left leg up toward ceiling as you bend elbows behind you.
– Lower left leg toward floor (without touching heel down) as you straighten arms, then lift hips up until body forms a straight line from head to left heel (right knee remains bent).
– Return to leg-up position. Repeat.
– Do 8 reps. Switch sides; repeat. Do 2 sets.
– MAKE IT EASIER: Keep lifted leg bent throughout.
TRICEPS PRESS PLUS
Targets shoulders, triceps, chest, abs, and legs
– Start on floor on all fours, then extend right leg behind you at hip level.
– Bend elbows directly behind you, keeping arms close to body, to lower chest toward floor. Press back up. Repeat triceps push-up 2 more times.
-Keeping right leg lifted, press into left forefoot; straighten left leg as you bring right knee in toward nose with back rounded to complete 1 rep.
– Do 4 reps. Switch sides; repeat. Do 2 sets.
TWISTER
Targets back, abs, hips, butt, and thighs
– Stand with feet together and elbows bent by sides, hands in front of chest, palms facing each other.
– Squat, extending arms down toward outside of right hip.
– Return to start, then extend arms toward left hip. Do 4 sweeps, alternating sides.
– Return to start, touching palms together in front of chest (as if in prayer). Quickly squat as you twist torso to right so left elbow touches outside of right thigh to complete 1 rep.
– Repeat, this time starting with a sweep to the left and ending with a twist to left.
– Do 2 sets of 4 reps, alternating sides
TIPSY LUNGE
Targets butt and legs
– Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms by sides.
– Lunge back with left leg, bending both knees 90 degrees, and pulse up and down a few inches 3 times.
– Hinge forward from hips and touch fingertips to floor in front of right foot.
– Keeping right leg bent, kick left leg behind you as high as you can to complete 1 rep.
– Lower left foot to floor and return to lunge.
– Do 8 reps. Switch sides; repeat. Do 2 sets.
CURSTY REACH
Targets abs, hips, butt, inner thighs, and outer thighs
– Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms by sides.
– Cross left leg behind right leg, bending knees (into a curtsy) as you reach both hands toward floor on right side.
– Quickly stand up on right leg, lifting bent left knee out to side at hip level as you lean torso toward left and extend arms overhead. Return to curtsy position.
– Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat. Do 2 sets.
PIKE-TUCK COMBO
Targets shoulders, chest, triceps, abs, inner thighs, and outer thighs
– Start on floor in full plank position, feet together.
– Jump feet forward and out wide, landing on forefeet in an inverted V shape in which legs have a slight bend in knees. Quickly jump feet back to plank.
– Jump feet forward between hands, bringing bent knees toward chest, then quickly jump feet back to plank to complete 1 rep.
– Do 2 sets of 8 reps.
– MAKE IT EASIER: Skip the inverted V position and land with knees bent.
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