When it comes to looking and feeling your best, exercises that guarantee results with practice are your best bets. These are my top 5 must have exercises that never cease to help me feel amazing on a daily basis. This post is a condensed version of one that I wrote for the adidas women’s training website. You can read my other contributions here.
#1. Planks and Side Planks
Try holding a forearm plank for 60 seconds. Rest for 60 seconds and then repeat two more times. Do this 3 times a week for one week. The following week, cut your rest time in half to just 30 seconds. For the third week, increase your plank’s holding time to 90 seconds and raise back up the resting time to 90 seconds. For week four, cut your rest time in half to just 45 seconds per 90 second hold!
#2. Superman
This is one of my favorite back exercises. Sitting at a desk all day, you may develop poor posture that will lead to lower back pain as you get older. You’ll also look shorter. Do the Superman to avoid this. Learn how to do it on my adidas blog or check out my video on how to lose arm pit fat to see how it’s done.
#3. Chest Stretch
While this exercise is not a strength training one, it is one of my favorite moves to help me sit up taller. It feel amazing. Do it after you get out of the shower when your muscles are warm or after a workout using a door way.
#4. Hip Flexor Stretch
How can you feel and look your best when you are uncomfortable? Runners and spinners alike will greatly benefit from this stretch. If your left arm is reaching up and over toward the right, press your left hip forward and keep them tucked under. You should feel a stretch down the inner left thigh. Pretend like you are curling your hip bones up towards your arm pits if you can’t feel it.
#5. Be fashionably fit!
In order to feel and look your best, wearing clothes that are flattering, trendy and comfortable is important. I’m wearing the adidas Powerluxe line in the above photos and they are probably the most fashion forward pieces adidas makes that are not designed by Stella McCartney.
The adidas Powerluxe collection features luxurious designs with elegant details. The Powerluxe hi & mighty tank in blast pink is one of my favorite tops to wear right now. Not only is it super cute, but it also features molded cups for internal stability and mesh back for ventilation. The double straps add a flirty and feminine look. The Powerluxe woven printed short are four way stretch with a wide waistband for comfort and figure flattering. It’s made with CLIMALITE moisture wicking technology to keep sweat away from your skin which prevents irritating chaffing.
adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best – be pretty, be tough & be confident.
Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.
Planks are the best! I love the different variations you can do with the plank, and that it works more than just the core/abs.
I just started doing yoga (about a month ago) and I definitely struggle with the exercises that require the most core strength. I’m going to try that plank/side-plank exercise and see if that helps me power through a bit better 🙂
Hey Sarah!!
I have been following your blog for years and I will be in Boston next month! Was hoping to take a class from you! Any chance you have a schedule?
Thanks!!
Hi Nicole! I am going to be teaching at Barry’s Bootcamp when it opens up later this month. I’ll be sharing info on here about my classes which are going to be Mon, Tues and Wed. I’ll be filling in here and there if people need subs as well.
Hi Sarah. I like the planks and side planks. For my clients especially, I find that it’s a great way of strengthening their core without putting too much strain on the back. Having suffered several back-related injuries, I often revert to doing only these exercises for lengths of time in order to recover. Thanks for sharing!