TEXT: ALYWIN CHEW
What to do: Hold a weight, preferably a medicine ball or kettlebell, in front of you with your elbows bent at 90 degrees. Proceed to perform a lunge, starting with your right leg. Ensure that your knee is in line with your toes. Turn your upper body to the right before rotating it again to face the front. Push your right foot to the ground and pull yourself back to a standing position. Repeat with the other side. Perform 10 reps of 2 sets.
What to do: Find a pull-down machine in the gym and select a comfortable weight. For beginners, start with an amount that is half your body weight. Adjust if you feel that it is too light. Hold the bar, palms facing forward, arms spaced a little wider than shoulder width. Lean backwards slightly (about 30 degrees), making sure that your arms are straightened. This is your starting position. Take a breath and exhale as you pull the bar, squeezing your shoulder blades together as the bar reaches chest level. Slowly return to starting position. Perform 10 reps for 3 sets.
What to do: To get a good cardio workout, don’t just skip leisurely. Complete as many repetitions as you can within a minute before resting for 30 seconds. Repeat this for 5 sets. You can also mix things up by varying the way you jump – side to side, back and forth, single-leg hops. For endurance training, play your favourite song and don’t stop till it ends. You’ll be surprised at how exhausting this workout can be.
What to do: Stand upright and squat beneath a chin-up bar, ensuring your palms touch the floor. Kick your feet backwards to get into a push-up position. Perform a push-up, bring your legs forward again so you are back in the squatting position. Jump straight up and grab the chin-up bar, pulling yourself up till the chin is above the bar. Perform 8 reps for 3 sets. Ensure your back is straight when performing the push-ups and chin-ups, and be sure to control your landing.
