Body Weight Leg Matrix

Over the past year I have been gradually incorporating more weight lifting into my workouts. I stuck to a regimen throughout the year and during this time I learned about a fat burning workout called a leg matrix. This is a great way to end a workout, leaving your body exhausted and legs burning! This matrix is easy to do at home because all you need is your own body weight. It is highly effective for both fat loss, and cardiovascular conditioning. Here is how the matrix works...

Perform all four exercises without resting between exercises.

24 squats; place your hands behind your head and squat until your knees make a 90 degree angle, return to starting position and repeat
24 squat jumps; squat, leap as high as you can and repeat, while maintaining good form
12 lunges (each leg); alternate your legs, moving slowly and fluidly
12 lunge jumps (each leg); lunge, leap as high as you can switching your leg positioning, landing in a new lunge position, and repeat

For all these exercises, ensure that your knees do not extend past your toes. Also keep your back straight and your core tight.

Rest after one circuit for twice as long as it took you to complete the circuit and repeat 2 or 3 times. Do this circuit 2 times a week at the end of your workout to add some variety and metabolism boosting exercises to your workout!

Conquering Middle Earth

In high school, during cross country and track season I had issues with my hip flexors. I went to physical therepy for nearly a year and during that time I learned how important it was to have strong core muscles to support my legs and hips as well as my upper body. I love finding new abdominal exercises with the hopes that I will feel the tired burn in my midsection the next morning. Like other weight training exercises, it is important to change up your routine by varying the movements/weights/repetitions ect. because your body is efficiently adapting every time you workout.

In addition to strengthening exercises, your diet plays a huge role in slimming and strengthening your midsection. Sugar and enriched carbohydrates diminish the amount of visible muscle due to bloating from these foods. Instead eat lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains!

I am going to introduce you to some of my favorite abdominal workouts with the next several posts and hopefully you can alter your abdominal routine using some of these exercises!
Stay tuned.