They don’t call me non-athletic Lanes for nothing! Besides the fact that I shamefully have never been on a sports team in my entire life (nope not even pee-wee or high school teams, nada, never), I openly accept the fact that I am athletically challenged. However, at this fitness enthused university we all know the many benefits of working out. Just 30-60 minutes of working out can improve energy, promote weight loss, and releases endorphins, which keep you happy. Unfortunately those 7-layer Oreo bars that Jean delicately lays out at Frank also keep me a little too happy, so I have made a forced effort to join the Colgate masses by frolicking down to Trudy any chance I get. If you are like me and find your hours spent at the gym both tedious and ineffective, or if you’re a D-1 fitness beast and just want to try something new here are some fun and easy work out tips.
1.The Treadmill Mix Up
Running sucks, lets face it. The dreadmill is my worst enemy but here’s a great routine from Self.com that I absoultely love. This routine is known as incline walking, you start on the highest incline at a slow pace walk, every three minutes you gradually lower the incline and speed up your pace. The division of three minute intervals combined with alternating the incline and speed keeps things interesting, you won’t even realize that you will have burned 243 calories in 30 minutes! p.s. for those of you who hate running you spend the first half walking but I promise you’ll still break a sweat!
http://www.self.com/pdfs/2013-treadmill-mix-up.pdf
2.Ab Workouts That ARE NOT Sit-Ups and Crunches
If there was a magical fitness fairy that could grant you anything you wanted, what would it be? The common answer is a flat stomach and a great set of abs. Sit-ups and crunches can get so boring and monotonous. If your tired of basic crunches check out some of these fun and easy 15 minute ab work outs. Yes, one of these workouts does consist of rolling around with your arms in the air like superman, it may look strange when you’re doing this in a gym that is packed with your peers and regrettable hookups, but you’ll have the last laugh in a hot crop tee.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/plank-with-glute-squeeze?workout=17453
3. The Marisa Miller Booty
This work out is super easy and the above image should be enough motivation. Victoria Secret model Marisa Miller has spilled her exercise plan to Cosmopolitan, so ladies everywhere can aspire to look just like her. This single leg squat can be done anywhere with a chair or elevated surface. Your basically doing a squat with some resistance by placing your foot on the chair, add some 3 or 5 pound dumbbells and your gluteus maximus will be too bootylicious for this campus. Check out the rest of the slides for more of Marisa’s ab and leg workouts.
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/exclusive/marisa-miller-workout#slide-5
4. Hell No to Push-Ups
Again if you’re like me, a push-up might be your absolute worst nightmare. After a couple of pathetic pushups my arms start shaking and burning and my muscles feel like they’re going to pop out of my skin, but if a game of ruit isn’t enough of a work out for your triceps, try some of these easy dumbbell work outs you can do on your back! This routine also works out your core and glutes! Kill 3 birds with one stone!
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/glute-bridge-with-triceps-extension
5. Yogi Bear
If you can’t make it to one of Colgate’s awesome and free Yoga classes,
Mon: 8:30 – 9:30 AM
Wed: 8:30 – 9:30 AM
Sat: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Instructor: The lovely Amara Wilson
Location: 3rd Floor Huntington Gym, Rm 301
then try to squeeze in some of your own yoga poses. Again, it’s super easy and can be done almost anywhere! Yoga is great for your mind, body and soul, these challenging poses will tone your body to get you bikini ready. Check out some of this great slideshow from Fitsugar.com, for some intricate positions that will prepare your body for the summer bikini season just around the corner. Follow the step by step instructions to strengthen arms, shoulders, abs, thighs and tush! Yoga helps your mind focus on what your body really needs and it also helps with posture, breathing, balance and blood circulation. Yoga is one of the best ways to stay fit without even realizing it!
http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Sequence-Bikini-Workout-22793138?image_nid=22806316&slide=5
Photo Credit:http://iam.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/hate-exercise1.jpg
http://www.picpiggy.com/bank/marisa_miller_butt_photos-1310152962.jpg