Workout 61 — Bodyweight Home Workout Journal

Workout 61: Back & Abs

Back Exercises

 

1. Grab a towel or t-shirt, hold it in both hands, and stand in a squat position.
2. Hold the towel out in front of you with your arms extended, and pull on both sides of the t-shirt or towel as hard, as you can as if you were trying to rip it.
3. As you continue to try to rip the towel or t-shirt, slowly bring your elbows backwards as if you were trying to squeeze your shoulder blades together. 
4. When your hands get as close to your chest as possible, slowly return to the starting position and repeat until the set is complete. Remember to KEEP trying to rip the towel throughout the entire exercise. 
   

1. With feet hip-width apart, stand upright, knees slightly bent, and place your hands at the back of your head, elbows opened wide.
2. Engage your abdominal muscles by pulling them into your spine. Keeping your spine neutral and pressing your rear backward, bend forward at the hips and continue doing so until your back is nearly parallel to the floor.
3. Slowly return to standing, engaging your core and squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Continue for the prescribed number of repetitions. 
   

1. Position yourself face-down on the floor with arms stretched out in front of you, palms facing the floor, legs closed.
2. Slowly lift your chest, arms, and legs slightly off of the ground.
3. Move arms down toward the hips and legs outward, and then return to the original position, as though you’re performing jumping jacks or a snow angel.
4. Rest limbs on the ground briefly before beginning the next rep.

*Note: If you perform this on a wood or otherwise smooth floor, you can place washcloths under your palms and toes and complete the reps without lifting your limbs off of the floor.

1. Stand on the outside of an open doorway, facing the doorway.
2. Grip the doorjamb with each hand, palms facing outward.
3. With feet together and knees slightly bent, slowly lean your upper body back, away from the doorjamb, until your arms are straight. Your arm & back muscles should be supporting the weight of your upper body.
4. Using these same muscles, pull yourself up toward the door, ensuring that your shoulder  blades are pulling toward one another. This is one rep. 
   

1. Lie face down on the ground, toes pointed, ankles touching the ground, arms extended forward, like Superman in flight, palms down, touching the ground.
2. Pull your arms and legs off the ground by engaging your glutes, shoulders, core, and back. They should raise up 2-3 inches.
3. Ensure that your arms are also fully contracted. 
4. Hold this position for 10-20 seconds, or until failure.
5. Slowly lower your arms and legs back to the starting position. Repeat for prescribed number of reps. 

Abs Exercises

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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.