Max Effort
Easy Pace
Reps 5 6 8 10 10 10
1 2 Week minute minutes 1 1 90 Week minute seconds 2 1 Week minute 3 1 Week minute 4 1 minute 1 minute
75 1 Week seconds minute 5 90 1 Week seconds minute 6
MOVE 1Basic
Workout: Plank
Starting at the top of a pushup position, bend your elbows and lower yourself down until you can shift your weight from your hands to your forearms. Your body should form a straight line. Brace your abs (imagine someone is about to punch you in the gut) and hold for 60 seconds. If you can't make it to 60 seconds, hold for 5 to 10 seconds and rest for 5 seconds, continuing for 1 minute. Focus on form: Don't drop your hips or raise your butt.
MOVE 2Basic
Workout: Side Plank
Lie on your right side with your legs straight. Prop yourself up with your right forearm so your body forms a diagonal line. Rest your left hand on your hip. Brace your abs and hold for 60 seconds. If you can't make it to 60 seconds, hold for 5 to 10 seconds and rest for 5; continue for 1 minute. Be sure your hips and knees stay off the floor.
MOVE 3Basic
Workout: Glute Bridge March
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Rest your arms on the floor, palms up, at shoulder level. Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees (A). Brace your abs and lift your right knee toward your chest (B). Hold for 2 counts, then lower your right foot. Repeat with the other leg. That's 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 5 to 10 reps.
MOVE 4Basic
Workout: Lunge with Rotation
Grab a 5- to 15-pound dumbbell with both hands. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms straight out (A). Take a big step forward with your left foot and, bracing your abs, twist your torso to the left as you bend your knees and lower your body until both of your legs form 90-degree angles (B). Twist back to center, push off your left foot, and stand back up. Repeat on the other leg. That's 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps. Keep your elbows straight but not locked.
MOVE 5Advanced
Workout: Plank with Arm Lift
Get into the plank position (toes and forearms on the floor, body lifted). Your body should form a straight line (A). Brace your abs and carefully shift your weight to your right forearm. Extend your left arm in front of you (B) and hold for 3 to 10 seconds. Slowly bring your arm back in. Repeat with the right arm. That's 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 5 to 10 reps, resting for 1 minute between sets.
MOVE 6Advanced
Workout: Side Plank with Rotation
In a right-side plank position (A), brace your abs and reach your left hand toward the ceiling (B). Slowly tuck your left arm under your body and twist forward until your torso is almost parallel to the floor (C). Return to the side plank. That's 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 5 to 10 reps on each side, resting for 1 minute between sets.
MOVE 7Advanced
Workout:
Hip-Thigh Raise
Lie on your back with your right knee bent and your left leg extended. Rest your arms on the floor, palms up, at shoulder level with your hips about 2 inches off the floor (A). Raise your hips to form a straight line from your shoulders to your left foot (B). Hold for 2 counts, then return to start. That's 1 rep. Do 10 to 15 reps on each side. To make it harder, cross your arms over your chest.
MOVE 8Advanced
Workout: Reverse Lunge with SingleArm Press
Grab a 5- to 15-pound dumbbell in your left hand and hold it up next to your left shoulder, palm facing in (A). Step backward with your left foot and lower your body until your knees are bent 90 degrees (your left knee should nearly touch the floor) while pressing the dumbbell directly over your shoulder without bending or leaning at the waist (B). Lower the weight back to the starting position as you push quickly back to standing. That's 1 rep. Do 10 to 15, then switch sides.
Bicycle Maneuver
This exercise works the entire abdominal unit, from the side abdominal muscles called the obliques in to the rectus abdominus muscle that covers the front of the abs. Lie on your back with your legs straight in the air at a 45-degree angle to the floor to do the bicycle maneuver. Raise your shoulders off the floor with your neck supported by your hands. Alternatively twist to bring the elbow of one arm toward the opposite knee and bend that leg toward your chest. Extend each leg straight when you twist away from it.
