Like most of the rest of America, one of my New Years resolutions is to make healthier decisions. Not only does my diet need some work, but I need to work on my exercise habits as well! I am now going to start band workouts.
However, like most of you, I am a busy Mom and don’t have all the time in the world to hit the gym after work. Instead, I’m lucky if I can squeeze a thirty-minute workout in after my kiddos go to bed! Because my schedule only allows me to work out from home, I’ve been on the hunt for easy at-home workouts. One of my favorite ways to workout from home is with the help of resistance bands. They add just the right amount of resistance to a workout, and you’ll definitely feel the burn. Keep reading to see a few of my favorite ways to workout with a fitness band.
Band Workouts
Fire Hydrants
Do 20 reps of these and you’ll certainly feel the burn! On your hands and knees, place the band just above your knees, and without shifting your hips, lift your knee out to the side of your body. Repeat on each side.
Clamshells
A few reps of this hip opener will have your behind looking lifted and muscular! Again, start with the band just above your knees and lay on your side with your arm under your ear. Keeping your feet together, lift your knees off of the ground and open your knees toward one another. This is one rep. Switch sides and repeat.
Banded Walks
Get a killer leg workout by starting with the band around your ankles. Bend your knees so you lean slightly forward and do a small squat so all of your muscles are engaged. Take ten steps forward and ten steps backward. This is one of those workouts that will really kick your butt! (In a good way!)
Band Workouts: For Legs
Squats and Lateral Leg Lifts
Place the band slightly above your knees, stand hip-width distance apart and fully squat. Once completed, kick one leg out to the side and squat again. This is one rep. Repeat on each side as many times as you would like. For this home workout, I like to do 20 reps on each side.
Glute Kicks
Place the workout band around your ankles and shift all of your weight to your standing leg, placing the toes of your other leg a few inches behind your knee. Once secure, lift your back leg. You’ll feel this in no time at all!
Arm Extensions
Place your arms directly in front of you and hold your workout band. Move your arms horizontally so you stretch the band like the photo below each time. Challenge yourself to complete 4 sets of 20 reps!
“Fire Hydrants”
Time to get back on your hands and knees! With your workout band just above your knees, open your hips to extend your hip each time. Just remember to switch sides for even workouts!
Simple Stretching
Did you know that the simple addition of an elastic band can make your post and pre-workout stretching even deeper? Try it out today and see what a little resistance can do for you.
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