Ever wondered what your EMPOWER trainers love to do when they exercise? Well today you get to find out! This week’s blog features the lovely Amanda Fontaine and her 5 Favorite Exercises! Her response is below. Enjoy!
“Working out and physical fitness have always been huge passions of mine. When it comes to exercise, no one loves getting a tough workout in more than I do. I love trying new movements and consistently challenging myself. Overtime I have found some exercises that I really enjoy doing and that have become my favorite. Here is my top five!
#1 Hang Cleans
This is a total body exercise that also gets your heart rate up. You can add it to a barbell complex or do it separately.. It’s an exciting exercise that demonstrates my power and strength.
#2 “Save the baby” aka Rope Pulls
I attach one end of the heavy rope to a sled or prowler, grab the other end, and, while squatting down, pull the sled towards me. It’s a great upper body workout. I love digging deep and using all my strength to pull the rope back as quickly as possible.
#3 Physioball Core Exercises
There are an endless amount of core exercises you can do with the physioball. One of my favorites would be the Supine Physioball Oblique twists. It’s performed by laying flat on your back with your feet pointing straight up, holding the ball. Your arms are arms straight out to the side on ground. Then you twist your hips and lower the ball laterally to the ground, alternating on either side. It really works the obliques.
#4 Single Leg Squats to the bench
If I had to pick a lower body, quad dominant, exercise this would be it. It takes a lot of stability and strength and also really works the glutes. I have beginners do this exercise and just work eccentrically, meaning they slowly go down to the bench on one leg then stand up on two. Working the eccentric portion of a muscle contraction is one way to get stronger at the movement when you are first learning it.
#5 Stairs
Running stairs is one of my favorite things to do! I do these almost every day. It’s a great cardio and leg workout, and a nice change from just running on a straight flat surface. You can do various forms such as suicides, adding a weighted vest, or going to run the stadiums.”
Hope you guys enjoyed the insight into Amanda’s workout routine! What’s your number one exercise? Leave a comment with your favorite down below, or on Twitter & Facebook, and maybe your trainer will be sure to add it to your next workout or class!
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