Yup, this week’s video workout is all about bringing sexy back…to your back.

Often we focus on our abdominals and forget to balance our ab workouts with an adequate back workout.

The one thing I’d caution about the moves in this video is to really watch your form and make sure you power from your core muscles.  That is, start by activating your core, get your breathing going and then start the moves. If you lose your form, or find yourself shifting, it’s time to stop the set!

My favorite exercise in this series is the back extension (done over the ball). Two things I note about that: if you don’t have a partner to hold your feet, a good option is to brace your feet against a wall. Second, the actual extension itself is a small movement, you don’t want to be arching your back.

Have fun and let me know what you think!

Today’s workout video comes courtesy of our twitter friend @Smashfit.

When she mentioned ‘the ab wheel’ I knew she didn’t mean some pansy shopping channel gimmick.   Because if you’ve seen pictures of her abs, you know she’s the real deal.

And so is today’s exercise.  This one is favored by boxers and athletes.

Take a look:

A challenging exercise?

Try it and see.

Two weeks ago, I started the P90x series of dvds (just in my spare time, can’t do the full commitment at this point in my half marathon training). Because I need to strengthen my core, I tried their AbRipperX dvd… 20 minutes of fast paced exercises, over 300 moves. Very intense.

I got to about minute 13 before my abs cried uncle, aunt and grandma…and then was only able to do portions of the remaining exercises.

I look forward to improving each week, it is a great challenge.

What’s your favorite abdominal exercise or workout?

An easier workout video this week!

The moves in this exercise video are great if you are new to bodyweight strength exercises and are looking to begin toning your legs. As suggested, try them out three times a week. Then you may want to move to exercises that are a bit more challenging, like the ones below the video:

If you are looking for something with a greater level of difficulty, try this lunge exercise.

Or for a squat variation, try these squats with a leg kick.

Remember to really focus on your form, keep your working muscles squeezed nice and tight and do your repetitions slowly for greatest effect.

Have fun!

Blast calories with this cardio and toning circuit workout that promises to have your body looking hot in no time… Here’s a five minute video by Sarah from Diets.com that is guaranteed to get your heart rate pumping.

Check it out:

While I don’t know about the hot body in no time part, the workout – if done with proper form – is a great one to add to your fitness routine.

Did you try it? What do you think?

This week’s video workout is the Split Squat or, more specifically, the Bulgarian Split Squat, a move I’ve not seen or tried before now.

But given that my physiotherapist has me doing squats, squats and more squats as well as stretching my quads and hip flexors, this is a move I was eager to try since it covers both strength and stretching alternate legs.

See what you think:

Now I have to say two things about this before you give it a try:

First, be careful hopping your leg out – I’d recommend grabbing a kitchen chair and placing it beside you to steady yourself as you get that front leg out far enough so that your knee is not extending over your foot.

Second, I’m already pretty strong in the balance department and I credit running on trails and uneven surfaces for much of my balance. But if you don’t have good balance, then I’d definitely save this move until you’ve worked on your balance a bit. (Want to know if you have good balance? An easy way to see is to close your eyes and lift up one leg. Can you stay balanced one one leg with your eyes closed? If not, I’d suggest you might want to try the alternate move (foot on the floor) that he recommends instead.

Let me know your thoughts when you try it out – how does it feel for you? Hard? Easy? How’s your balance? Could you do fifteen? I definitely felt my supporting leg shaking by the last couple of reps.