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Use a deck of cards to get fit.

Tired of doing the same routine at home or the gym.  Change it up and get fit with a deck of cards.  Playing cards is fun because it can be challenging and give you the unexpected.  So, for those who have never used cards your probably saying ” what is he talking about?”

Well, its not a drinking game but probably could be interesting if you had a few shots before hand.  Anyhow, here’s how it works:

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Deck of cards
  • clear area to exercise
  • 2-3lb dumbbells
  • 1-20lb medicine ball
  1. Designate each suit as a particular exercise. For example, Hearts can be Jump Jacks,Diamonds can be push-ups, Spades can be jumping squats and Clubs can be up downs (birpies).
  2. Let each card’s number to be the  number of “reps” you perform. For example, the six of spades means you will have to perform six jumping squats. The ten of hearts means you will have to perform ten jumping jacks.  You can designate Face cards to have their own number. Jacks can be 25, queens can be 30, and kings can be 40.
  3. Shuffle the deck. Shuffle the deck of playing cards completely and thoroughly to ensure a random workout.
  4. Draw the top card and perform the exercise as required. For example, if you draw the nine of Spades, perform nine Jumping Squats . As soon as you finish that set of exercises, draw another card and perform the next set of exercises as indicated by the card. Repeat until you’ve finished your cards.

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So here’s a workout for you.  It really is all in the routine.  Trainers can copy and learn any exercise but the pros know exactly the sequences that work to help clients reach their goals.
clubs = down ups (birpies): stand tall with feet  shoulder width apart, squat down slightly on toes, place hands  in front and next to feet, keep your back and head up (not bent over looking at ground), throw your feet straight back and land on your balls of feet strongly, keep lower back slightly elevated to protect from injury, throw feet back up directly under you and the return to standing position.  Then skate back and forth 4x from right foot to left and left to right which  means you’ll go back and forth 8x.
diamonds = push ups:  I could describe this but really don’t have the time.
Hearts = Sprints: 25 yards back and forth touching ground at each 25 yard mark.
Spades = Jumping Squats/Squat alternate with medicine ball20 lbs (yes, 20 lbs).  Standing position, feet slightly wider than shoulder apart,toes pointed slightly out,  holding ball with hands under ball fingers facing up!! Hold to the upper chest the whole time (NOT loosely even when jumping)  Squat down below parallel, your elbows will touch knees and return to standing looking up.  Now, go back into squat but go only 1/2 way down and explode off toes as high as possible and land back on heels.  Start back to full squat and repeat to jumping squat.  Example: 10 of spades you’ll do 1 squat and 1 jumping squat  then repeat both 10x.
Ace any hand = 50 straight punches with the 3 lb weights.  You’ll punch directly above your eyes.  Make sure you use your whole body when throwing punches, punch smoothly and don’t completely lock out elbows with weights.  Meaning your hands holding the 3lb dbs will be up at cheek bone level, then as you turn the punch out you’ll turn your fist so palm will face down then come back to cheek bone and your other hand will go out.  You should be on toes and you’ll be in a fighting position (normally left foot forward, right foot back, 4-6 inches apart, feet facing 45 degrees and  slightly bent knee)  think of your arm connected to the hip and foot. Starting from ground up twist right side (foot, hip, shoulder and throw punch and repeat for left side).
King, Jack, Queen of any hand = 10 crunches, 10 leg lifts, 10 bicycle (abs each side), 10 high plank pulses (push up position on feet and just go down 1-2 inch, return to top and repeat
So, there you go.  Simple but can be challenging.  Beginners can  do 1/4 deck, Intermediate = the deck, very fit = add 5 minutes jump rope, 10 minutes jog 30 seconds/sprint 30 seconds or run 5 minutes treadmill incline 8-13 speed of 4-5.
As with any workout, always consult with your doctor before exercising. Perform this routine at your own risk.  By trying any of these exercises and/or this routine you take full responsibility for any injury, harm, death or incidental accident from performing the above routine, exercise or advice.
Medical Transcriptionist
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Great Ab Exercise

abs

To get a flat stomach and nice abs, you must eat lean and perform intense cardio sessions at least 4 x per week @ 20 plus minutes.  Takes work!  So don’t let anyone tell you its easy.  Obviously, if you’re a genetic freak and can burn anything you eatthen don’t worry.  If your like 99 percent of the population, then you must have the right plan.  The bicycle will hit your lower, upper and obliques if done properly!  Great ab exercise to add to your routine.

Bicycle:  see video on bottom.

Step 1: start in crunch position (flex up, navel pulled in, shoulder blades off ground, hands on ears, chin inch off chest)

Step 2: bring feet off ground, toes pointed, knees bent 90 degrees.

Step 3:   as you begin to kick right foot out with pointed toe, ….simutaneously bring your right shoulder and right elbow over toward your left bent knee in a twisting position.  TIP:  Pretend your Right Shoulder blade, Shoulder and elbow are resting on a board, all of these should twist along one line.  Think of your right shoulder touching your left knee not your elbow.  This way you’ll focus on bringing your whole body over rather than just your elbow.  You want to twist your obligue not your arm.  TIP: make sure your hips stay centered and on the ground while performing this exercise.  Think of a ball on your navel and don’t let that ball roll off.

Step 4:  now, your right leg should be locked out and at approx. 45 degree angle to the ground ( higher if your a beginner or back problems, lower if your abs are conditioned) and your right elbow and shoulder should be twisted toward your left knee. 

Step 5: Now at same time as your right leg gets pulled STRAIGHT Back to the 90 degree position and your right elbow, shoulder will be brought back towards the floor.   Your left foot and leg will press straight out into locked position and you’ll  simutaneously bring your left shoulder and left elbow over toward your Right bent knee in a twisting position.


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Some Common Mistakes people Do:

  1. Rock Back and Forth to fast.
  2. Only move their elbows and head.
  3. Let thier feet just hang in the air and when they draw their feet back it’s not straight back into the 90 degree position.
  4. Bring their hips off the ground while twisting side to side

How to perform:(right and left equals 1 rep)

Beginner: 15 seconds or 15 repetitions : Active Rest 15 seconds with 3-5 push ups         Circuit: 5-7 x

Intermediate: 30 seconds or 30 plus repetitions :  Active Rest 30 seconds with 15-30 push ups  Circuit: 5-8 x

Advanced: 60 seconds or 50 plus repetitions :  Active Rest 30 seconds with 15-30 push ups  Circuit: 4-8 x

Recommended Ab Exercises to do along with the Bicycle:

Hanging leg raises/ Incline Sit Ups/ Plank on Balance Ball/ Kettle Ball Chops/ Power Push Ups

See Video of one of my clients. Click Here

Do You need more ab exercises? Then take a look at this site, Click Here!

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