It’s February and love is in the air! Depending on who you are, you either love or hate the lovey-dovey vibes that accompany the holiday. Whether you’re single, intoxicatingly in love or somewhere in the middle, I know a way to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit: a little self-love.
I’m going to give you a Valentine’s Day workout that’s sure to get your heart rate going, strengthen your core and build up your muscles. After all, we should all– at the very least– show our bodies some love.
To begin your workout, you’ll have to warm up your body. I suggest doing 10 minutes of cardio either on the treadmill, the elliptical, or the stair stepper. You can go as fast or slow as you’d like, the goal here is to warm up your muscles. After 10 minutes of cardio, make sure to stretch your body out to loosen any tight muscles.
Next, get your heart rate going with thirty jumping jacks, followed by 30 mountain climbers. These high intensity exercises will keep your heart rate up while burning fat and keeping your body warm. Next take a minute breather and prepare to work on your lower body muscles.
For your lower body start with 15 squat jumps, take a 30 second break, then do 10 lunges. After another 30 second break, perform 15 glute bridges followed by 15 donkey kicks. Both these exercises may be supplemented with bands. After the booty pump, take another 30 second break before getting into the upper body exercises.
The first upper body exercise, 15 push ups, focuses mainly on the chest. Next, perform twelve bicep curls followed by 12 tricep extensions. Use a comfortable light weight for these two exercises. If you don’t have dumbbells, try to find 5-10 lb. dumbbell substitutes like water bottles, canned goods, or a milk jug.
The workout ends with a 2 minute abdominal circuit to strengthen your core. For this circuit you will do russian twists for 30 seconds. Followed by bicycle crunches for another 30 seconds. To finish off the circuit do a 1 minute plank. Go through the entire workout 1-3 times– your body will thank you later.
I hope you try this full-body Valentine’s Day burner and get a chance to give your body the love it deserves!
Valentine’s Day Workout: Repeat 2-3 Times
Warm up: 10 minute cardio of your choice
(treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper) & stretch
High Intensity Exercises:
30 jumping jacks
30 mountain climbers
Lower Body Exercises:
15 squat jumps
10 lunges (could add weights)
15 glute bridges (could be banded)
15 donkey kicks (could be banded)
Upper Body Exercises:
15 push ups
12 bicep curls
12 tricep extension
Finishing Exercises:
2 min ab circuit:
30 second russian twist
30 second bicycle crunch
1 minute plank