Author Archives: Leigh Matthews

A 5 Step Routine for a Great Beach Workout

If the warm summer days mean you’re spending more time at the beach than at the gym, don’t worry, exercise and fun at the beach are not mutually exclusive! Lazing around in the sand with a cool beer is certainly tempting, but how about squeezing in a quick workout before you enjoy that R&R.

First things first, whenever you’re exercising in the sun remember these rules: use adequate sun protection, stay hydrated, stick to beach rules and stay in sight of lifeguards. The latter is especially important if you’re working out at the beach as you can quickly become tired in the water when you’ve already been pushing your body.

Without further ado, here is a 5 step routine for a great beach workout:

1. Sand Lunges

Aim to cover a 40-yard stretch of sand by doing basic lunges but with the added difficulty of balancing on and pushing against the sand.

Start by standing with your hands on your hips, feet shoulder-width apart, then take a normal stride and bend your forward leg at a 90-degree angle. This should cause your back leg to also end up at a 90-degree angle. Make sure to keep your core muscles (canister) engaged and your hips in line with your shoulders as you then step forward with your back leg. Repeat for 40-yards then turn and repeat until back to base.

2. Water Jog

After working up a sweat by doing sand lunges, wade into the water until you’re waist-deep. Jog parallel to the shore for 40 yards, the jog back out of the water and sprint back to base.

3. Shoulder Push-Ups

Now that your legs are burning from all that water jogging, give them a brief break while you work your upper body.

To do a shoulder push-up simply bend down as if you’re picking something up from the sand and spread your hands hip-width apart with your feet together so you form a tripod. Do a push-up and try to touch your nose to the sand. Do two sets of 5 reps to start and try to build to three sets of 10 reps over the summer.

4. Dune Treadmill

Sand running offers a great workout, without the expensive gym membership fee! Running on sand is also easier on the joints, but is harder work, so it burns more calories and is a great way to tone the lower body. Moist, firm sand is best –  and don’t forget to wear good running shoes! Find a decent sized sand dune and run up and down it for 5 minutes, alternating between a sprint and a jog every other ascent to help improve your anaerobic fitness.

5. Swim!

OK, so this one is pretty obvious, but you’ll be thankful for it after all that jogging and running up the sand dunes. Pick a couple of shoreline markers that are about 40 yards apart and head into the water until you’re at a good swimming depth. Swim back and forth between your markers, doing a breaststroke, butterfly or backstroke – whatever works for you!  Just 5-10 minutes of swimming is excellent cardio that works all your major muscle groups while keeping you cool.

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to work out alone, it should be pretty easy to convince a friend to head to the beach (just make sure to tell them you’ll be exercising!).

Bonus Idea: Beach Volleyball

Consider signing up for beach volleyball. This a fantastic way to stay active in summer while making new friends and getting your fill of vitamin D. Head down to your nearest beach on the weekend and see if there’s a tournament or game going on and ask someone how you can get involved. Or, check online for local groups that have a regular indoor volleyball practice and see if they’re inclined to turn the beach into their gym for the summer!

Body Weight Training: Getting Started

There are plenty of barriers and obstacles we can encounter when trying to get fit, but a lack of equipment shouldn’t be one of them. All you really need to start working on improving your health and fitness, is your own body and a bit of imagination.*

Body weight training is perfect if you’re looking to exercise on a budget or maintain your strength and fitness when traveling. The basic principle of body weight training is that you put your muscles to work against gravity and your own body mass – think lifts, squats, push-ups, etc –  for a quick, challenging workout you can do anywhere.

*Always consult with your physician before beginning any fitness program, particularly when you have a medical condition.

The following are a few moves to get you started with body weight training:

Power Burpee

Let’s start with a power burpee – a great way to get your heart rate up, work your core, and activate those hamstrings.

Begin in a standing position, arms by your sides and feet shoulder width apart. As with a traditional burpee, you want to drop quickly into a push-up position, then jump into a squat position, and follow that with a vertical leap into the air before dropping back to a squat.

To make this a power burpee, after dropping back into a squat, go for an explosive tuck-jump, pulling in your knees and jumping as high as you can. Do two sets of five to start out.

Push-Ups

Now that you’ve got your circulation moving a little faster, switch your focus to your upper body to give your legs a bit of a break.

Go for a simple push-up and do as many as you can without stopping. Take the number of push-ups you managed and cut that in half, then do three sets of that number next time. Push-ups work the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps and really help tone the chest and arms, but good form is essential.

For a proper push-up, lie face down with your shoulders bent and hands flat to the floor about shoulder width apart. Keeping your body straight, push against the floor with your hands to extend your arms and lift your body. Imagine a line running from the top of your head to your ankles and try to keep this line as straight as possible.

Break-Out Push-Ups

The next body weight training exercise works your arms, legs, and core. It’s also a great excuse to bust out your breakdancing moves! A break-out push-up stretches out your chest and activates your oblique muscles.

Begin in a traditional push-up position, raise your body as usual and then, when your arms are fully extended, rotate your body to look to your right while kicking out your left leg to the right underneath your body. Drop back into a push-up and on the next lift, kick out your right leg to the left underneath your body. Do two sets of five reps to start.

Caterpillar (Prone) Walkout

Now that your arms and legs are feeling the burn, take things down a notch by doing your best impression of a caterpillar. The prone walkout helps with pelvic stability, and total body dynamic flexibility, and it’s pretty fun to do.

Start by standing on your tip toes with your feet hip width apart, then bend at the waist to touch your hands to the floor directly in front of your feet. Keeping your core muscles engaged, walk your hands forward until you’re in a push-up position, then walk your feet in towards your hands (while still on tip toes). Repeat this until you bump into a wall, or for about five walkouts.

Dips!

Next up, dips. You’ll need a chair for this, although you could also use a bench in the park or the edge of a bed, depending on its height. This exercise works some of the same muscles as a push-up, but also works the rhomboid muscles in the back.

To get into position, stand with your back to the chair, bend your legs as if you’re going to sit down, and place the palms of your hands on the front edge of the seat. Walk your feet slowly out in front of you so that your arms are supporting most of your body weight.

Now you’re in position, inhale and slowly bend your arms, keeping your elbows tucked in, and lower your body until your arms are parallel to the floor. Hold that position for a half second, exhale and push slowly back up into your starting position. Do two sets of five to begin and increase as you get stronger.

Benefits of Body Weight Training

These are just a few great resistance exercises you can do in a small amount of time, in a small amount of space, using (almost) nothing but your own body. Adding these into your exercise regimen, alongside regular cardio, is an excellent  way to build strength gradually without needing to buy expensive equipment.

Try adding a PGX protein shake* and some of these body weight training exercise to your workout schedule and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals!

* Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PG