Ruler body shape The shape: Women with ruler-straight body types, like Cameron Diaz, can wear nearly anything—but they don’t generally have the girl curves to really kick it up in a bikini. Any weight they do carry usually forms a little potbelly, just like the boys get. Straight/boyish builds are similar to athletic types in that they also carve a fairly square silhouette; but unlike their athletic counterparts, boyish builds tend to have a tough time getting muscle tone. MOVE 1Lift-off Lunge Tones: Butt, thighs, shoulders, triceps, and core Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold dumbbells up at your shoulders—elbows bent and pointing out to the sides, palms facing forward. Take a giant step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your knees are bent 90 degrees. Your knees should be in line with your ankles. (A) Press into your right foot, straighten your right leg, and come to a stand, simultaneously pulling your left knee forward in front of your hips (so you’re standing on one leg) and pressing the weights up toward the ceiling .(B) Return to start. Repeat with your left leg. 10 to 12 reps per leg To make the move more challenging, place your front foot on a step. MOVE 2Mermaid Tones: Core (especially obliques) and shoulders Assume a side plank position, with your right elbow on the floor directly beneath your shoulder. Stagger your feet so your left foot is in front of your right foot. (A) Raise your left arm directly overhead—bicep next to your ear, arm extended, and with your palm facing the floor—so your arm is in line with your body. Arch your left arm towards the floor as you raise your hips up in the air. (B) Return to start. Repeat for a full set; then switch sides. 8 to 10 reps. MOVE 3Pushup and Leg Raise Tones: Shoulders, triceps, chest, and core Lie facedown on a fitness ball, with both hands on the floor. Walk your hands out, allowing the ball to roll beneath your body until it is under your shins. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders, so it looks like you’re ready to do a pushup. Keeping your torso straight and your abs contracted, bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the floor. Stop when your upper arms are parallel to the floor. (A) Return to start, and immediately contract your glutes as you lift your right leg off the ball. (B) Lower your right leg to the ball, then lift the left leg. That’s one rep. 8 to 12 reps Make the move harder by placing the ball under the tops of your feet. Make it easier by keeping the ball under your knees. MOVE 4Hundred on the Ball Tones: Core Lie on your back with your arms by your sides. Bend your knees to 90 degrees and place your calves on a fitness ball. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor, making sure to keep your head, neck, and shoulders relaxed. (Put your head down at any time if you feel stress in the upper body.) (A) Take 5 short, consecutive inhales, followed by 5 short, consecutive exhales. Do this 10 times for 1 rep. At the same time, lift arms off mat and pulse them up and down palms facing down, in unison with the breath. (B) 10 reps, 100 breaths per rep MOVE 5Crossover Crunch Tones: Core Lie on your back with arms and legs outstretched so your body forms an X. (A) Contract your abs and raise your head, arms, and legs a few inches off the floor. Keeping them extended, simultaneously bring your left arm and right leg together over your abdomen. (B) Lower your limbs back to start. Repeat to the opposite side. That’s one rep. Alternate for a full set. 10 to 12 reps To make the move more challenging, keep your head, arms, and legs raised throughout the exercise. To make it a little easier, bring only your arm and leg off the floor each time. MOVE 6Stacked Pushup Tones: Chest, shoulders, triceps, and core Assume a pushup position (resting either your knees or your toes on the floor), with your hands on the floor directly beneath your shoulders, left hand placed on a thick book, yoga block, or aerobic step with no risers. (A) Bend your arms and lower your chest until your arms are bent 90 degrees. (B) Straighten your arms and press up. Do 4 to 6 reps, then switch sides, bringing your right hand up onto the book or step and your left hand down to the floor on the left side of the book. Repeat, this time crossing up and over to the right. Alternate throughout the set. 8 to 12 reps MOVE 7Squat and Overhead Press Tones: Butt, thighs, shoulders, triceps, and core Hold a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent in front of your torso, weights in front of your shoulders, palms facing in. Stand with your feet in a wide straddle stance, toes turned out. (A) Bend your knees and squat back, keeping your knees from extending over your toes. (B) Press back to the start position, turning your right palm forward and pressing the weight directly overhead. (C) Immediately lower into another squat, pulling your right arm back to the starting position. Stand again, this time pressing the left weight overhead. Alternate for a full set. 12 to 14 reps MOVE 8Plyo Plank Tones: Full body and raises heart rate to burn extra calories Assume a standard pushup position, with your feet extended wider than shoulder-width apart. (A) Quickly hop your feet together and up toward the outside of your right hand. (B) Hop back to the starting position. Then repeat to the left side. Alternate for a full set. 8 to 12 reps
Posted on: Tue, 07 Jan 2014 22:00:00 +0000
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