Monday, April 18, 2011

WORKOUT FOR BUSY WEEKS

In a perfect world, you could make it to the gym 5 days a week. In the real world, you might get to the gym 3 days this week, 2 days next week, then 5 the next. Be prepared with a plan that will work all body parts and get you in and out of the gym in 40 min. or less.
A circuit style routine works best. Pick one exercise for the Chest, Biceps, Triceps, Abs and call this round Circuit A, then pick one exercise per Legs, Shoulders, Back and Abs and call this round Circuit B. You will complete each circuit 3 times, using your ab exercise as active rest. Once you complete the abs set, immediately begin your next round. Complete Circuit A 3 times, then move to Circuit B and repeat for 3 rounds.
If you plan circuits for 3 different days, you can alternate them during the week, ideally leaving one day of rest in between workouts.
Circuit A
Body part                Exercise                            Reps
Chest                     Push Up                            15-20
Biceps                    Hammer Curl                      15
Triceps                             Tricep Kickback                  15 per arm
Abs                        Bicycle                              60 (total)

Circuit B
Legs                       Jump Squat                        15-20
Shoulders                DB Shoulder Press               15
Back                       Lat Pulldown                      15                         
Abs                        Exercise Ball Crunch            25

When planning the next circuit workout, use a difference exercise per body part. For example, if you did push ups in your first workout, then do dumbbell chest presses the next gym day. This insures that you are hitting your muscles from all angles for optimum training.
As you get more comfortable with the program, increase the intensity by adding either reps or heavier resistance.

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