From sergeants to
sluggers, firefighters to farmers, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. And
their shapes and sizes tend to be impressively fit. If you’re looking to get
toned and improve your endurance and speed, these heroic workouts will get you
in shape -- without the time commitment of boot camp.
1. Total Body Warm Up For
Pain-Free Performance
Even heroes need to get warm and stay loose. Stretching -- a critical component
of any workout regimen -- will help you maximize performance and avoid injury.
Before diving into the other workouts, learn the dos and don’ts of stretching and follow this simple
warm-up routine.
2. Quick 5-Minute
Upper Body Workout
Drop and give us five --
minutes, that is. That's all you need for this total upper-body workout. You
don't even need a gym. Just yourself, a chair and some weights -- and even
then, soup cans or bottled water will work in a pinch. So what are you waiting
for?
3. Quick 5-Minute Lower Body Workout
Feeling a little
top-heavy? As much as we love ripped upper bodies, legs that don’t match are a
thing that makes us go hmmm. This workout targets muscles that will improve
your stride, stamina and lifting ability (just remember to lift with your legs
and not with your back!).
4. Tough 10-Minute Core Workout
Heroes need balance in
their life to deal with day-to-day stresses and demands. You too can find some
balance -- at least the physical kind -- withcore exercises. Get grounded with moves like Warrior Stance
and Russian Twists. They'll make you feel like you’re on a mission.
5. Tough Full Body Strength and Cardio Workout
Time to put some
"super" in your hero workout. This challenging 20-minute workout
incorporates both strength and cardio exercises, a combo that's great for
increasing stamina, building muscle and boosting cardiovascular health. Now
that’s a workout we can put our heart (and body) into.
