As a fitness trainer – I KNOW that one of the most common reasons a person strays from their fitness regimen is time! Today people work long hours, have family commitments, and all too often can’t find enough time to get fit! We also live in a society where people travel constantly for work, business and leisure. This takes them away from their gyms, normal routine and is all too often plagued with restaurant food! As a result of these emerging lifestyle trends, the demand for portable workouts has increased dramatically! Portable workouts are great for when there is no time to get to the gym – you can workout whenever, wherever you are! What’s more is portable workouts can help improve your overall conditioning, speed and total body strength in ways traditional gym equipment can’t!
The fitness industry has naturally responded to the increased demands for portable workouts by creating new innovative ways to take your exercise routine on the road! For instance, the invention of the resistance band, jump ropes, iPod and other easily transportable equipment – it is now easy to stay fit anywhere! These are al light, small, easily transportable and have the capacity to raise your heart rate and give you a cardio workout as well as provide you with all the tools you need for strength training. What’s more is, a portable workout saves the person the time of commuting to the gym. So they are great for the time pressed athlete. Finally, portable workouts are a great way to defeat boredom in the gym. I use them when I lack the motivation to get to the gym and take my routine outside instead. Exercising outside is a great treat when the weather is nice! Outdoor workouts can be refreshing and invigorating! With so many uses for portable workouts and the plethora of tools / equipment available there is no longer an excuse to ever stray from your fitness routine!
In Need of a Portable Workout?
Here is a killer 30+ minute workout using resistance bands and jump ropes! You will need both to complete this routine.
Warm Up and Stretch: I typically have clients do a 10 minute warm up jog or speed walk.
Circuit # 1: 15 reps of each exercise; repeat circuit 3 times
- 2 minutes of Jump Rope
- SQUATS
- LUNGES (15 REPS EACH LEG)
- HIP ABDUCTION (15 REPS EACH LEG)
- SIDE BEND (15 REPS EACH SIDE)
- BENT OVER ROW
Circuit # 2: 15 reps of each exercise; repeat circuit 3 times.
- 2 Minutes of Jump Rope
- BICEP CURLS
- FRONT RAISE
- LATERAL RAISE
- UPRIGHT ROW
- OVERHEAD PRESS
- FRENCH PRESS
- BENT OVER FLYS
Circuit # 3: 15 reps of each exercise; repeat circuit 3 times.
- 2 Minutes of Jump Rope
- PUSH UPS
- LEG PRESS SUPINE ON FLOOR
- HIP EXTENSION [ON ALL 4 – DONKEY KICK]
- LEG EXTENSION [ON ALL 4]
- TRUNK TWIST
- SEATED ROW
Resistance bands can be purchased at any major sports equipment retailer and online for about $10 each. I always suggest purchasing a few bands with different resistance levels so you can challenge your muscles with appropriate weight/resistance.
