Free workouts: HIIT, yoga, fitness, strength training, running, and healthy diet tips. This blog is meant to inspire others to improve their quality of life by making healthy decisions each day. I am an Occupational Therapist, Certified Yoga Instructor & Runner. I enjoy all aspects of fitness and don't believe in stagnation. These workouts are designed to include variety & keep you challenged. Get in the best shape of your life at home without ever getting bored!
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Thursday, January 16, 2014
Bikini Prep/Body Sculpt Challenge: Workout 9: Back Strength and Stretch
Hi Everyone!
Today's workout has two sections: Strengthening and Stretching. This is a workout for your back. It is important to maintain back strength as a balance to your abdominal strength. It will also help you maintain form for all exercises that you perform. It is equally important to maintain back flexibility.
In this video I demonstrate some basic back strengthening exercises with dumbbells. I have also included my pull up video. Exercise number one in this workout is pull ups. Pull ups are my favorite exercise for back strengthening. If you are reading this and thinking "I will never be able to do that" think again. From the time I turned 12 I believed that I couldn't do a pull up. I started doing Bender Fitness workouts, and my friend's husband challenged me to try a pull up. I told him that I couldn't do it, but I tried anyway. Much to my own shock I succeeded.
You will get there with consistency and practice.
Enjoy the workout!
Melissa
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Repeat 1-4X
1. Pull Ups
2. Bent Over Row
3. Bent Over Fly
4. Back Extensions or Supermans
5. Leg Extension or Prone Heel Tap
6. Deadlift
Stretch:
1. Up/Down Dog
2. Pelvic Tilt
3. Knee to Chest and Extend (right)
4. Knee to Chest and Extend (left)
5. Twist (right)
6. Twist (left)
Foam Roll
Building to a Pull-Up: http://youtu.be/VlF60C6TbXI
Labels:
back,
injury prevention,
stretch,
weights
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Hi! I was just wondering what you recommend to do in place of back extension/supermans and leg extension/heel taps for someone who is pregnant. I am only 15 weeks along and could technically lay on my stomach, but I wouldn't be comfortable, plus it would be good to know for further down the road when my belly is bigger! I already do deadlifts, but would love another exercise or two on top of that to work back/leg extension. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and am following your bikini challenge for the first time :) quick couple of questions..do you workout 6 on with 1 rest day or are you taking two rest days? also did you add any cardio to workout shown above?? Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff!
ReplyDeleteToday's workout has two sections: Strengthening and Stretching. This is a workout for your back. It is important to maintain back strength as a balance to your abdominal strength. It will also help you maintain form for all exercises that you perform. straight leg deadlift technique
ReplyDelete