Warm weather workout

Last Monday was gorgeous! It inspired me to workout outside. Here is part of my workout!

SEESAW Partner up for this core-challenging move. The move: Seesaw Pushup Hold How to do it: Partner A: Choose the side of the seesaw that’s in the down position and face away from it. Assume a pushup position with your hands on the ground and your toes on the seat so your body extends in a straight line from the seesaw. Use your core muscles to keep your body straight. Partner B: Stand beside the other end of the seesaw and use your hands to slowly push down on the seat so partner A's feet rise off the ground. Begin with a small downward movement, and increase the range of motion based on your partner’s comfort level. (The greater the range of motion, the harder it will be for your partner to stabilize her spine, and the greater the challenge.) Then allow your side of the seesaw to rise back up to the starting position. Repeat slowly for 60 seconds and then switch roles.

SLIDE Nope, you're not riding down it! Use the slide to work your body against gravity. The move: Sliders How to do it: Facing the base of a smooth-surfaced slide, place your hands on the sides of the slide (be careful of sharp metal edges on old-school models) and assume a pushup position. Walk your hands up the slide, with your feet following and without bending your knees, so you are shuffling up the slide (not climbing). Once you get to the top, reverse the movement. Repeat for 60 seconds. Make it harder by walking up the slide backwards so your upper body is now working harder against gravity.

SWINGS Who needs a suspension trainer when you can do these moves on a swing? The move: Atomic Pushup and Mountain-Climber Combo How to do it: Atomic Pushup: Begin in a pushup position with your hands on the ground and your feet on top of the seat of a swing. Keeping your core tight and your lower back stable, bring your knees toward your chest, then reverse the movement. Follow with a pushup, holding your body in a straight line and your elbows tucked tight to your sides. Perform the entire sequence as many times as you can for 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds and transition to the Swing Mountain Climber. Swing Mountain Climber: Begin in a pushup position again, this time with your palms on the seat of the swing and your feet on the ground. Keeping your lower back stable, bring one knee in toward your chest, then return it to the starting position. Alternate knees and repeat for 45 seconds, increasing your speed to add intensity.

JUMP ROPE Jumping rope can be a pain, especially if you keep tripping on the rope. Use a fake jump rope to make it more fun and effective (and less embarrassing!). The move: Make-Believe Jump-Roping Boxing How to do it: Pretend you are holding a rope and mimic jump-roping movements with your arms as you bounce on your toes. To mix it up, hop from foot to foot, front to back, or side to side. You can also add in moves such as high knees or butt kicks. Alternate between three minutes of work and one minute of rest; that’s one round. Perform up to 10 rounds.