day one: Legs
Allow 60-90 seconds rest between circuits. Aim for little to no rest between exercises during the circuit. If you’re a beginner, take breaks as needed.
for an added challenge, begin with 5-6 minutes of high-intensity cardio of your choice- sprints, burpees, stair-master, etc.
circuit 1: Complete 3-4 rounds.
Kettlebell swings. Complete 10-15 reps.
At-home alternative: Use dumbbell.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent holding a kettlebell with both hands in a palms-down grip. Pull the kettlebell back between the legs. Quickly push the hips forward and pull the knees back to generate the forward momentum to swing the kettlebell forward and up in front of the body. The strength to move the weight should come from the legs and hips, NOT the shoulders. The explosive extension of the hips should propel the kettlebell up to chest or shoulder height. As the kettlebell reaches the top of the move, brace the abdominal muscles and contract the arm and shoulder muscles to create a brief pause before pulling the kettlebell back down between the legs for the next repetition.
Squat jumps. Complete 15-20 reps.
modification: pulsing Squats.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Add band around quads for added challenge. Start by doing a regular squat, driving your weight through your heels and then engage your core and jump up explosively. When you land, lower your body back into the squat position with your legs parallel to the floor and repeat.
Pulsing Sumo Squats. complete 15-20.
Modification: remove weight.
Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out at about 45 degrees. Hold a dumbbell at one end with both hands in front of your body. If using a barbell, place your shoulders underneath the bar, and in a split stance lift the bar off the squat rack and move away from the rack. Brace your core and stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart with toes turned out at about 45 degrees. Inhale to sit hips back and lower into a squat, keeping core engaged and back neutral. Pause at the bottom, when hips are in line with knees or when form starts to break. Shins should be vertical and knees should be tracking over (but past) toes. Pulse.
circuit 2: Complete 3 rounds.
Squats. Complete 8-12 reps.
At-home alternative: Use dumbbells or remove weight.
Stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out. Place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, position them at your shoulders resting the dumbbells on your shoulders. If using a barbell, place your shoulders underneath the bar, and in a split stance lift the bar off the squat rack and move away from the rack. Brace your core and stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Hinge back at your hips, driving your weight through your heels and maintaining a neutral spine. Keep your head in line with your spine. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend. Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels. Keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position, exhaling as you come up.
Pulsing Squats.
Complete 15-20 reps.
Stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out. Place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, position them at your shoulders resting the dumbbells on your shoulders. If using a barbell, place your shoulders underneath the bar, and in a split stance lift the bar off the squat rack and move away from the rack. Brace your core and stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Hinge back at your hips, driving your weight through your heels and maintaining a neutral spine. Keep your head in line with your spine. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend. Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels. Pulse up and down in this position for the set number of reps. Keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position, exhaling as you come up.
skinny wide squat jumps. complete 15-20 reps.
Begin with your feet shoulder width apart, and hop out to a squat position. For an added challenge, add a band around your quads. Jump back in with feet positioned shoulder width apart, maintaining a squat position to keep time under tension throughout the movement. Continue to hop in and out for the set number of reps.
circuit 3: complete 3 rounds.
Bulgarian split squats.
complete 8-12 reps, left-right.
Begin by placing the toes of your right foot on a bench, box, stair or chair, with your left leg straight and foot positioned below your hip. Hold dumbbells in both hands with palms facing your body and hands hanging directly below your shoulders. Make sure your left foot is out far enough so that when you lower your hips, your knee stays directly over your ankle. Bend your left knee, squeeze your right glute, and lower your pelvis toward the ground. Press your left heel into the ground to straighten your left knee. Keep your core tight and repeat. Perform the set number of reps and then switch legs.
jumping lunges. complete 8-10 reps, left-right.
modification: reverse lunges or pulsing lunges.
Stand with feet shoulder width apart with your core tight. Keep your hands at your chest clasped together to help maintain a tight core to maintain your balance throughout the movement. Jump your left foot behind you, bending your knee and placing it directly below your left hip while simultaneously bringing your right foot in front of you with your foot positioned directly below your knee, driving your weight through your front heel to engage your glutes. Explosively jump up into the air, switching your feet in the air and landing in the same position with the opposite foot forward. Repeat. To modify, simple step back and lunge and remove the jump.
Sumo squat. complete 8-12 reps.
at-home alternative: use one dumbbell or remove weight and pulse.
Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out at about 45 degrees. Hold a dumbbell at one end with both hands in front of your body. If using a barbell, place your shoulders underneath the bar, and in a split stance lift the bar off the squat rack and move away from the rack. Brace your core and stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart with toes turned out at about 45 degrees. Inhale to sit hips back and lower into a squat, keeping core engaged and back neutral. Pause at the bottom, when hips are in line with knees or when form starts to break. Shins should be vertical and knees should be tracking over (but past) toes. Exhale to press into heels and outer edge of foot to stand.
circuit 4: complete 4-5 rounds.
kneeling banded hip thrusts. complete 8-12 reps.
Modification: Remove band, use lighter weight or no weight.
Kneel on a gym mat holding a dumbbell with both hands in a high kneeling position. You can add a band around your quads for an added challenge. Position your feet in a triangular shape behind you. Sit back toward your feet and then thrust your hips forward, bracing your core and coming back to a starting position. Keep your glutes squeezed throughout the movement. Repeat.
romanian deadlift. Complete 8-12 reps.
At-home alternative: use dumbbells.
Stand holding a pair of medium-heavy weight dumbbells in each hand, arms at your sides, with your knees slightly bent OR standing holding a barbell directly in front of you. Keeping your arms straight and knees slightly bent, slowly hinge at your hips, not your waist, and lower the weight(s) as far as possible without rounding your back, which should remain straight. Your head should maintain a neutral position and stay in line with your spine throughout the entire movement. Looking forward, not at the ground, will help you avoid rounding your back. Keep the weight(s) close to, almost touching, your legs. Your range of motion should stop slightly past your knees. Drive your weight through your heels to engage your glutes. Squeeze your glutes to slowly pull yourself up. Be sure not to use your back or round your spine! Thrust your hips at the top of the movement, but avoid leaning your torso backward.
Banded side steps.
complete 12-15, left-right.
Place a band around your quads. Squat down hinging at your hips into a squat position with your legs parallel to the ground. Step to the side for the set number of reps, and then repeat in the opposite direction.