Here's the discouraging thing about fitness. You can be doing two out of three things right and still not see the outcome you're hoping to achieve. Over the last year or so, I'd overhauled my diet to cut out a lot of unnecessary crap and empty carbs. I was also fully committed to working out three to four times a week. I made sure to do the usual vanity muscle reps in the dumbbell area, but mostly I was focused on cardio. And while I had dropped some weight and noticed more muscle, I wasn't seeing the change in my body I was hoping to achieve. I still had that pesky weight around my waist—that dreaded doughy section of flesh that never seemed to tighten up.
Until I started doing more compound exercises, that is. Don't get me wrong, we all need cardio and I still love a good SoulCycle session or outdoor bike ride to relieve stress and keep my heart healthy. But in terms of burning calories and fat, I noticed a huge difference after I eased up on the treadmill and stationary bike and started doing more full-body exercises in other areas of the gym. I'm happy to report that the dough is melting from my midsection, I'm down a pant size and a notch (or two) on my belts. There's noticeable tone and definition in my chest, arms and legs too.
That's because compound moves like squats, push-ups and pull-ups work your body as a unit—engaging several large and small muscle groups simultaneously— and burn more calories in the process. I now start my workouts with a set of 20 push-ups. Then I hit the pull-up bar (I've got a goal to do 15 clean ones by summer). Then I usually do three sets of three different compound moves. It's good to keep your body guessing, but these are the three I find myself doing the most after consulting with a trusted trainer. What's more, this whole workout takes less time than what I'd typically put in on the treadmill.
Squat Thrusters
This is my go-to move. You want enough weight to be challenging after a few reps, but not so much that your form suffers. I've performed it with dumbbells, kettlebells and even those stretchy bands when my hotel didn't have a gym.
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Lunge Twists
Again, this could be done with a dumbbell, kettlebell or simply no weight at all to begin with. But I find holding a dumbbell actually helps stabilize my body during the movement.
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Bosu Ball Burpees
This is one of those kooky looking moves that proves you know what you're doing at the gym. If you don't have a Bosu Ball, you could perform these with a set of dumbbells, but the ball's instability helps strengthen and tone your core.
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