10 Uncommon Workouts To Make A Brand New You A Physical Reality

Mission: To shape up and transform a well-rounded middle using unique exercises

Each and every single day that I reach into my closet for the day’s attire is an adventure.  It’s a battle between what I want to wear and what I can pour my (I’ll keep it clean)….very round “winter body” into.

My goal is to be more conscious of what I eat in an effort to attain a flatter stomach.  My middle is my biggest problem.  I want to alleviate the word “diet” from my vocabulary right now because that word is such a negative connotative to my psyche.  It implies a hurdle and struggle right from the start.

Not only is conscious eating in my sights but I know exercise is a HUGE factor.  The Spring season is in full force for me and I want to shed my “winter body” so the transition to my “summer body” is seamless.

I’ve done my research:

If you truly want to flaunt your figure and fitness, you have to do a number of unique exercises. These activities are uncommon and may not always be introduced to you by a gym instructor. Some of these are even decades old. You can greatly increase your strength and get rid of fat quickly with these 10 tried and true exercises.

(Please consult with a physician before starting any exercise program)

Working the Core

1. Planks – Planks are one of the most effective exercises in developing a strong and solid core. You can burn fat around the waist and emphasize your abdominal muscles more by doing this exercise. Do planks by getting on the floor with your belly and face down on a yoga mat. Place your arms in front of you and bend these at a 90-degree angle so that your forearms are resting on the mat. Lift your upper body up, letting the lower body rest on the toes alone. The points of contact with the floor are only your forearms and toes. If you can’t lift your body up this way, you can start boosting your core strength by placing the lower body weight on your knees instead. Hold the lifted body position for 20 seconds and do the exercise 3 times.

2. Side planks – Side planks are almost the same as planks but the burn and workout hits more of the sides of the body and the obliques. You can improve your waist line by strengthening this area and getting rid of your love handles. Lie on your side and lift your upper body so that you are resting on your one forearm. Lift the lower body as well so that your weight rests on the ankles or the side of your foot. Lift the opposite arm up for balance. Make sure that your body stays straight throughout. Hold the position for 20 seconds then do the side plank on the other side of your body. Repeat 2 more times per side.

Uncommon Ab Work

3. The bicycle – This is a very popular exercise which used to be the most important in building and strengthening the abs. Lie on the floor then gently lift your lower body up. Place both your arms at your sides then support your lower back to lift your legs higher. Next, place your arms at the back of your head then bring your left knee towards your head and roll your upper body up to bring your right elbow to your left knee. Hold the contracted position for 1 second then do the same for the opposite side, by touching your right knee and left elbow. Continue the cycle for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise 2 more times.

4. Hanging leg raises – Suspend yourself by hanging from an overhead bar or a lat machine. Roll your body up by lifting your legs and trying to bring your knees to your chest. You can increase the intensity by keeping your legs extended throughout the exercise. Hold the contracted position for 2 seconds then slowly lower your legs. Keep the tension in your abs.

Ball Exercises

5. Ball crunch – You can strengthen your abs and feel the pressure more in the abdominal section by lying down on a ball. You can strengthen your back, legs and abs more because you have to stay balanced throughout the activity. Let your lower back rest on the ball and your feet planted on the floor. Start to roll your body up and do a full crunch. Hold the position for 2 seconds before lowering yourself back. Place your hands on your temples or cross them over your chest while doing the ball crunches.

Ball Weight Training

6. Ball presses – You can workout your chest by getting a pair of dumbbells then lying on a core ball. You may get a partner to assist you and give you the pair of dumbbells after balancing yourself. Perform 10 to 12 repetitions of chest presses as you would on a workout bench. The added balancing needed will strengthen your abs and workout your deltoids as well for a full burn.

7. Shoulder presses – Sit on a core ball and lift a pair of dumbbells. Lower the weights until they are the same level as your ears. Push the weights up again over your head and feel the contraction in your shoulders. Do 10 to 12 repetitions of 3 sets.

Old School Training

8. Lunges – If you want to get strong and ripped legs, you have to do lunges. Lunges are no longer as popular as they were 30 years ago but they are still very effective. Start the exercise by placing a barbell across your shoulders. The beginning of the exercise is done with both feet shoulder width apart. Step forward until your quadriceps is parallel to the floor. The knee should not go further than your toe. Feel the burn in your quadriceps, calves and hamstrings. Step the hind leg forward to return to starting position. Lunge the other leg forward afterwards. Repeat for a total of 12 to 15 repetitions and do 2 to 3 sets.

9. Ball squats – This exercise is done with a weight ball instead of the usual dumbbells or barbell. Start the exercise with your feet farther than shoulder width apart. Position the ball between your legs and hold it with both hands firmly. Your back should bend forward as you lower yourself until the ball touches the floor. Bend your knees as well and perform the squat, then lift your upper body and squeeze the legs hard as you lift the weight ball up. You can add to the intensity by lifting the ball up over your head to work out your core and shoulders as well.

Using Rubber Ropes

10. Rubber workout – Instead of using weights or cardiovascular machines, you can rely on rubber ropes to provide you with the resistance you need. You can do bench presses, shoulder presses, squats, lat rows and several other exercises. The advantage of using rubber ropes is that you only work with your own body weight most of the time so you can improve your physique more and avoid getting extra bulky.

Mission achieved

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*photo credit: physical park