four steps better {1} Workouts

Whether you want be be stronger, more committed, thinner or smarter, the "four steps better" mini-series will have something to help you get there.

Workouts

I hired a personal trainer for a few months to jump start my exercise routine. Before working with my trainer I hung around the cardio equipment and worked with the strength machines a few times a week. It was okay, but I knew there was so much more that I was missing!

My trainer taught me form and hooked me up with some challenging, effective moves! But once I got the basic correct form down I realized I was only paying her for new exercises!

So my running friend and I branched out to create our own routies while still increasing the level and changing the workouts (so we wouldn't get bored).

I took the exercises she had already given me (all are available around the web) along with several from the workout resources below and made my own exercise note cards.

When my friend and I meet to workout we sort through our cards while warming up on a cardio machine. We break the exercises up: abs, upper and lower-body (although most activate the whole body). Within minutes we have a new total body strength workout!

How To Make Your Own Exercise Cards:

1. Buy any size index cards.

2. Print out some workouts from the resources below:

Here are some printable workouts I've found over the internet. Many of these are workouts I did with my personal trainer. If you do decide to start up your own strength training routine, I do recommend meeting with a trainer a few times first to establish good form and for specific workout tips for your body. You can usually hire one for 1 hour for around $70.
SELF Magazine: Circuit Training, Jillian Michaels' Strength, 15 min. Toning, Arms

Women's Health Magazine: Superhero Workout, Core Four, Kettlebell Workout

SHAPE Magazine: 20 min. Total Body, No Thigh Jiggle, Bikini-Ready Strenth

MizFit's Monday Facetime- MizFit/Carla is a wonderful blogger and personal trainer who produces short videos based on different strength exercises

Women's Health Mag has some great tips on switching up your sets to get more from your strength workouts (full article here):

If you want A total-body warmup
Try Circuit sets

If you want To save time
Try Supersets

If you want To look toned in your going-out tank
Try Drop sets

3. Cut out your workouts and glue them onto index cards. If you're feeling adventurous you could even label the muscle group each workout targets!
4. When creating workouts, make sure to switch up the moves so your muscles don't get too comfortable! I usually do about 4 abs, 4 upper and 4 lower-body and then do some stretching afterward.