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Tracey Mallett
is a fitness expert with several great routines available on
DVD. She's happy to share tips or answer questions if you email
her at tracey@traceymallett.com.
Your chair is more than a place to parkit's also a
secret weapon for targeting your abs, hips and buns, and improving
your balance. The following exercises can be done at home
or work in just a few minutes. For best results, all you need
is yourself, your trusty chair and the commitment to do it
two to three times per week.
Let's tone that midsection!
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1.
Froggies on the chair
Reps 10-15 times
Muscles targeted: Abs, inner thighs and quads.
SetupLean back so your shoulder blades press
against the chair's back. Tighten abs and rest hands
on the front corners of the seat. Bend your knees with
legs turned out at the hips so that your feet form a
small V position and are elevated off the floor.
ActionInhale. As you exhale, extend your legs
straight out to hip height, pulling your inner thighs
together. Next, inhale and bend the knees back to start
position.
ModificationLower legs towards the floor.
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2.
Standing Oblique Curl
Reps 10-15 on each side
Muscles targeted: Obliques (waist), glutes and legs
SetupStand beside the chair with your outside
hand behind your head and your feet turned out from
the hips.
ActionInhale. As you exhale, extend the right
leg to the side and side bend the torso towards the
right leg. Inhale, draw the leg back to meet your supporting
leg and return your torso back to an erect position.
Repeat on the left side.
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3.
Standing Attitude
10 reps and 10 pulses
Muscles targeted: Glutes, hamstrings and abs for balance
SetupStanding sideways, gently hold onto the
chair for support. Turn the legs out at the hips feet
in to a small V position.
ActionTransfer your weight onto the inside leg,
bend the outside leg keeping the turn out in the hip.
Lift the leg as far as you can go without hiking the
hip whilst maintaining a bent leg position. Lower the
leg and repeat for 10 reps adding little pulses for
an extra butt burn.
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4.
Hip Flexor Stretch (Supported Crescent Pose in Yoga)
Muscles Targeted: Quads, hip flexors and abs for balance
SetupSit or stand sideways on the chair, bending
your right leg and extending your left leg extended
behind with hips facing square to the right side. For
support, place your right hand on the chair and extend
your left hand out in front of body at eye level.
ActionHold the Stretch for 30 seconds to a minute.
Repeat with opposite leg.
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