Workout 34 — Dumbbell Home Workout Journal – Habit Nest

35% OFF BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS LIVE! - CODE: BF35

    Workout 34 — Dumbbell Home Workout Journal

    Workout 34: Legs & Abs

    Legs Exercises

    1. Weighted Lunge

    Caution: This movement requires a great deal of balance, so if you lack balance or are suffering from an injury that affects your balance, use your own bodyweight while holding on to a fixed object.

    1. Stand with your torso upright and hold one dumbbell in each hand at arm's length.
    2. Step forward with your right foot (about 2 feet or so) as you lower your body down and squat through your hips. Make sure that your left foot remains stationary and that you are maintaining your balance. Do not allow your right knee to move beyond your toes as you come down. Keep your front shin perpendicular to the ground.
    3. Using mainly the heel of your foot, drive yourself back up to the starting position.
    4. Repeat the movement for your left leg.

    2. Goblet Squat

    1. Use a light-to-medium dumbbell for this exercise. Hold one end of the dumbbell on the heels of your hand, cupping your hands around the weight, with your fingertips pointed toward the sky. (Imagine you’re holding a goblet, hence the name of this workout.) Your elbows should be pointed down.
    2. In a controlled movement, lower yourself into a squat. Your elbows may brush your knees, this is to be expected.
    3. Return to starting position, ensuring that your upper body doesn’t move the entire time, All of the workout should be in your lower half.

      3. Hip Thrust

      1. Grab a barbell, heavy dumbbell, or other at-home weight.
      2. Place your body under the barbell or put the dumbbell on the upper part of your thighs, and use a bench or other sturdy surface to support your back, neck, and head behind you.
      3. Keep your feet on the floor, put your feet directly under your knees so that when you extend, you’ll make a 90-degree angle. 
      4. Raise the barbell up from the floor primarily using your glute muscles. 
      5. Repeat the motion until the set is complete. 

      4. Tabletop + Donkey Kick

      1. Get into a tabletop position with your hands and knees on the floor and your back comfortably straight. 
      2. Raise one leg and straighten it out directly behind you while raising it as high as you possibly can. Make sure to feel the contraction in your glute muscles. 
      3. Allow the leg to slowly return to the original position and repeat. 
      4. To increase the challenge of this exercise, place a weight behind your knee or utilize a resistance band on your thighs.

      5. Calf Raise

      Caution: If you suffer from lower back problems, a better exercise would be the calf press. With this exercise, your back has to support the weight being lifted. Additionally, your back needs to be straight and still at all times. If you round your back, this can cause a lower back injury.

      1. Stand on the floor or, for more of a challenge, on a block or step, heels unsupported, with a weight in each hand. (You can also do this with a weight in one hand, using the other to support your balance.)
      2. Slowly lower your heels toward the floor until you feel a stretch in your calves.
      3. Before your heels touch the ground, contract your calf muscles, press in to the balls of your feet, and raise yourself up until you’re supporting your body with your toes, your heels raised up.
      4. Repeat this, ensuring full control in all movements.

      Abs Exercises

      1. Spider-Man Plank Crunch 

      1. Get in plank position by placing your elbows and toes on the floor. Hold your body up off the floor in this position.
      2. Bring your right knee on the outside of your body to your right elbow. 
      3. Straighten your right leg back to the floor.
      4. Complete the same movement with your left leg and keep alternating sides.

      2. Leg Lift 

      1. Lie with your back flat on the floor (or on a bench) with your legs extended in front of you.
      2. Place your hands to your sides with your palms facing down. To keep your hands down for support, you can place them under your glutes.
      3. Keep your legs fully extended and as straight as possible (it’s okay if your knees slightly bend). Hold the contraction at the top for a second.
      4. Slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.

      3. Starfish Crunch

      1. Lie on your back with your arms and legs stretched out into an 'X' position. 
      2. In one movement, bring one arm straight up across your body while simultaneously lifting your opposing leg and lifting your head. 
      3. Attempt to touch one arm to your opposite ankle, or try to come as close as you can.
      4. Alternate sides.

      4. Plank

      1. Place your forearms on the ground with your elbows aligned beneath your shoulders. Keep your arms parallel to your body at about shoulder-width distance. (You should be in a push up position, only on your forearms rather than your hands).
      2. Ground your toes into the floor and squeeze your glutes to stabilize your body. Be careful to not to lock or hyperextend your knees.
      3. Neutralize your neck and spine by looking at a spot on the floor about a foot in front of your hands. Your head should be in line with your back. Contract your abdominals to keep yourself up and prevent your booty from sticking up.
      4. Keep your back flat and hold the position for as long as possible without compromising form.
      }