Welcome to Day 1 of the 4-Week Total Body Transformation Challenge!
Let’s kickstart this journey with some exercises that will help you build strength and tone up. Today’s workout will include body weight squats, wall sits, Superman holds, dead bug, calf raises, bear crawls, lying leg raises, wall pushups, and seated leg extensions.
This is an interval-based circuit, which means we’ll cycle through each move for 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off before moving onto the next exercise. You’ll work at a higher intensity level for a short amount of time, and then rest to help your muscles recover before the next set.
No matter your skill level, this workout can be modified to fit your individual needs. If you need to take it slower, feel free to lengthen the break time, and if you want to level up, add some extra reps and sets.
Remember, we want to get better and stronger with each passing day! Make sure you’re working up a good sweat and pushing yourself. Let’s get started!
Day 1 of 4-Week Total Body Transformation Challenge
Prior to commencing your workout, it's essential to incorporate a brief warm-up routine. Spend around 5 minutes either doing some brisk walking in place or strolling around your house.
This pre-workout warm-up helps prepare your body for exercise, increasing blood flow and flexibility to reduce the risk of injury and enhance overall performance.
Equipment Suggestion
Circuit 1- Do the circuit 3 times
1) Body Weight Squat for 30 Sec
- Stand up straight with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and your toes slightly turned out.
- Hinge at your hips and lower your body towards the floor, keeping your back straight and your weight in the heels of your feet.
- Lower your body until your thighs become parallel to the floor.
- Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Stand with your back against a wall in a comfortable and upright position.
- Slowly slide down the wall until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Make sure your feet are planted firmly on the floor in shoulder width apart.
- Allow your arms to drop to your sides.
- Hold this position for as long as you can.
- When you can no longer maintain the position, slowly and calmly slide back up the wall and stand.
3) Superman Hold for 30 Sec
- Stand with your feet slightly over a shoulder-width apart.
- Raise your arms out to your sides with your palms facing forward in a Superman pose.
- Engage your core muscles by slightly tilting your pelvis forward and squeezing your stomach muscles.
- Tighten all your muscles and hold this position for 15-20 seconds or as long as you can.
- Release the tension in your body and lower your arms.
Circuit 2- Do the circuit 3 times
- Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent.
- Raise your arms directly in the air.
- Keep your low back pressed into the ground, pull in your belly button towards your spine, and press your lower back flat against the floor.
- From there, slowly lower your right leg until it just hovers above the ground.
- At the same time, lower your left arm until it is just above the ground.
- Return to the starting position, and repeat on the other side.
5) Calf Raises for 30 Sec
- Stand up straight with your feet shoulder width apart
- Raise up onto the balls of your feet as high as you can, lifting your heels off the ground
- Hold for a moment before lowering your heels back to the ground
- Repeat the exercises for desired number of reps
- Begin in a kneeling position with your arms extended parallel to your shoulders and your knees under your hips
- Engage your core, keeping a neutral spine throughout the exercise
- Lift your hips and walk your hands in front of you to transition to a plank position
- Keeping your core engaged and your arms extended, initiate the motion of the bear crawl by taking a small “step” forward with your left arm and right leg simultaneously
- Bring your left knee in and forward while bringing your right arm backward and in at the same time
- Repeat the motion of walking forwards, alternating arms and legs with each step for desired number of reps
- To finish the bear crawl, perform the same motion in reverse, returning to starting position
Circuit 3- Do the circuit 3 times
7) Lying Leg Raise for 30 Sec
- Lie flat on your back with your legs fully extended.
- Place your hands by your sides, palms flat on the ground.
- Engage your abdominal muscles and lift your legs off the ground a few inches.
- Avoid raising your legs too high, as they should remain closer to the ground.
- Pause for a few seconds in the raised position.
- Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.
- Repeat the exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions.
- Rest for a few seconds between sets.
8) Wall Pushup for 30 Sec
- Stand with feet hips-width apart and place hands on the wall, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Keep arms straight and walk your feet out a few feet from the wall.
- Bend at the elbows until your face and chest is close to the wall.
- Press back up to the starting position.
- Do 8-12 repetitions.
9) Seated Leg Extension for 30 Sec
- Sit on the leg extension machine with your back and hips firmly pressed against the seat.
- Place your lower legs under the padded lever and adjust the lever to fit your thighs.
- Grasp the handle in front of you and extend your legs out to the farthest point.
- Pause at the farthest point and then slowly return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
Cool Down and Stretching
After completing your workout, it's crucial to follow up with an effective cool-down routine. Take a leisurely 5-minute walk around to gradually lower your heart rate and help your body recover. Alternatively, you can opt for static stretches to release muscle tension and improve flexibility.
This cool-down phase is essential for reducing post-workout soreness and promoting a sense of well-being, making it an important part of any exercise regimen.
