Message from Patty: I'm constantly seeking out ways to keep my strength training sessions that I do on my own fresh and relevant. This article, written by Tamara Pridgett, caught my eye because the workout is realistic and can be done in your home gym. Check it out and let me know what you think!
In my opinion, taking time for yourself to work out is one of the best forms of self-care. Instead of letting stress creep up as you scan the gym to figure out which machines are free and if you can snag a squat rack, I recommend coming in with a plan. Whether you're following a four-week workout plan or showing up already knowing what you're going to do for the day, preparation makes your workouts a lot smoother.
If you have no idea what to do at the gym, and aren't sure if doing 10 squat variations in one day is OK (hint: don't do it), I've got you covered. Instead of doing every squat known to man, try this eight-move full-body workout. You'll be working your shoulders, biceps, back, glutes, quads, and abs, and it shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. The best part is, you can also do it at home with the right equipment.
The 45-Minute Full-Body Gym Workout
Equipment needed: Two sets of dumbbells; one set should be medium/heavy and the second set should be light. This guide will help you choose the right weight.
You'll also need a stability ball.
Directions: Make sure you warm up beforehand (try some of these moves). To help you save time, this workout should be performed in supersets, meaning you should take little to no rest in between each exercise. For example, you'll do a set of the overhead squat press and immediately transition to bicep curls. Then, you'll go back to the squats until you've completed the listed sets. There are three total supersets, and you'll do the last two exercises separately, not as supersets. Don't forget to cool down afterward with some stretches.
Superset 1, exercise 1: overhead squat press: four sets of 12 reps
Superset 1, exercise 2: bicep curl: four sets of 12 reps (each arm)
Superset 2, exercise 1: single-leg bridge: four sets of 12 reps (each leg)
Superset 2, exercise 2: single-arm row: four sets of 12 reps (each arm)
Superset 3, exercise 1: step up: four sets of 10 reps (each leg)
Superset 3, exercise 2: lateral raise: four sets of 10 reps
Stir the pot: two sets of 10 reps each direction
Bird dog: two sets of 10 reps on each side
This article originally appeared in Pop Sugar. Click HERE for the article
Learn more about the author Tamara Pridgett at https://www.popsugar.com/author/Tamara-Pridgett