Back to School Series Pt 2 | 5 min Total Body Fitness Circuit!

Hey everyone! Today I will be sharing with you a quick back to school fitness routine. Now that summer is nearly over, we will have half the amount of time to workout and keep up our fitness. That's why I have put together a super quick 5 minute circuit that you can squeeze in to any day. It's five minutes so you have no excuses as to why you didn't have enough time to finish it!

There are 5 exercises total and each move should be done for 1 minute. In between each exercise you can take a 30 second rest to prepare for the following move. Since each exercise is only for a minute you should be trying to get in as many reps as you can to make the most of that minute.

If you are feeling great afterwards, challenge yourself to another couple of rounds to create a longer workout if you aren't also involved in extra sports and activities.

5 moves, 1 minute each...are YOU ready? 

First round - Side Hops

Jump as high and far out to the side as you can with your legs tucked in to your chest. No breaks during the whole minute just hop as hard as you can! 

Second Round - Bicycle Crunches

Laying on your back with your legs straight out in front of you and hands behind your head. Bring one knee to your chest whilst simultaneously crunching the opposite side of your body to your knee.  

Third Round - Single Leg Butt Kicks

On your hands and knees lift one leg up and kick up and down for 30 seconds (keeping your knee bent), then switch onto the other leg to complete the minute of exercise. 

Fourth Round - Inner Thigh Pulses

Laying on your side, bring one leg across the other and near chest at a bent angle. Next, flex the bottom foot and pulse up and down for 30 seconds switching onto the other side for the last 30 seconds. 

Fifth Round - Downward Dog Push-ups

Starting in a downward dog position, slowly drop your body down towards the ground and bring one leg at a time to your chest. Then, do a tricep push-up down to the floor. From there lift up your hips slightly off the ground and push your upper body up to the sky with an arched back. Finally, bring your hips back up to downward dog. 

Thanks so much for reading through and completing this fitness circuit! I hope you are sweating and on the floor and if not DO IT AGAIN! I also just wanted to recommend a great youtube channel that you can go to if you want more interval style fitness routines. The channel is "blogilates" and most of my fitness inspiration comes from her videos as she has millions of videos perfect for every part of your body. In addition, I am starting school on Wednesday so I will probably only have time for once a week posting just to let you know. With that said, thanks again for viewing my blog and I'll talk to you soon xx

PS...
Top: Nike
Shorts and Sports Bra: H&M

Spring Break Ready Fitness Routine (Part 1)!

Hey everyone! I am so thrilled to share this new fitness post with you, especially since spring break is right around the corner...I actually made this post with a great friend of mine so half of the workout is on my blog and the other is on hers. Her blog is very similar to mine with awesome posts so be sure to go check it out here http://rufflesandberries.blogspot.ch for the rest of the workout routine. On my blog I will be posting the warm-up, arm workout and legs workout.

The routine we created is a total body toning workout to get you in your best shape, looking and feeling confident for spring break. We paired fat burning cardio moves with toning exercises for an overall 'go-to' workout plan. Also, it is very versatile so the reps of each exercise can be altered depending on your level but try and complete the recommended reps for the most efficient workout. I really hope some of you try out this routine and remember to look at Laura's blog for the rest of the workout (butt, abs, and cool-down).

Fitness Look
Although this is a fitness inspired post theres always room for a little OOTD...

Leggings & Tank: PINK, Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Nike

Sports Bra: Target

Warm-up

For the warmup we have paired four moves to get your body warm and heart racing before beginning to build and tone your muscle!

Football Runs - 30 seconds 

These are hard to show in pictures, but you are standing with legs hip-width apart and pick up your feet back and forth as fast as you can. 

Ballerina Jumps - 10

Beginning in a deep plie squat with arms crossed and jump up as high as possible with arms outstretched-> straight back into a squat with no pauses. 

Lunge kicks - 10 each leg

Start in a lunge and kick up your back leg to the front (similar to a karate or kickboxing move)

Skater Hops - 20 total

Start with one leg crossed to the back of the other with your hand pointed to the ground and jump out to the side landing in the other position. If done correctly, it should feel like you are a skater gliding back and forth between both sides!

Toned Arms

Downward dog plank push-ups - 15 times

Start in a plank with your body flat and in-line. Then, using only your arms push yourself up into a push-up position and stretch back into a downward dog. Next, come back down to plank the same way; focusing on using your arms to do all the work. 

Arm switches in plank - 20 times

Keeping plank position throughout, extend one arm out in front of you and back into plank. Switching arms with each rep. 

Tricep Dips - 15 times

In a half bridge position with your hands pointed towards your feet, bend your arms down and stretch back up. 

Slim Legs

Knee jumps - 10 times

Kneel down with your feet flat. Then, using only your legs jump your whole body at once up onto your feet. Warning-it's pretty difficult and takes some practice to conquer so you can use your hands as long as you attempt 10. 

Dancer Twists - 15 each leg

With your arms above your head and one leg bent and out to the back, take the bent leg and drop it down and to the side and then back into an 'arabesque'. 

Hot Potatoes - 20 each side

Start on one side with your legs stacked on top of one another. Next, take your top leg to the corner of the mat and hit twice on the ground. Then kick that leg up and bring it to the back corner of the mat and beat on the ground another two times!

Narrow Squat Leg-outs - 15 each leg

Start in a narrow squat (legs close to one another) and staying at the same height move one leg out to the side and back. 

Are you tired yet?? Awesome! Now go check out http://rufflesandberries.blogspot.ch  to finish your workout! Good luck-it's a butt and abs workout followed with a stretching cool down to relax and rejuvenate your muscles. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and stay tuned for next week! xx