Balanced Strength Challenge - Day 1 - Week 2

Balanced Strength Challenge – Day 1 – Week 2

Arun Kumar T, D.P.T, PN Coach

Welcome to Day 1 of your Balanced Strength Challenge, where we embark on a journey to build a solid foundation of strength, balance, and endurance. Today’s routine is the first step towards unlocking your body’s full potential. As you gear up for this exciting challenge, remember that every rep counts and every set brings you closer to your fitness goals.

Today’s workout is a carefully curated mix of exercises designed to engage multiple muscle groups, ensuring a comprehensive training session. You’ll be diving into Supported Lunges to fire up your lower body, engaging your calves with Calf Raises, and mastering the art of control with Chair Squats. Your upper body won’t be left out, as you’ll be sculpting your shoulders and back with IYT Raises, Wall PushUps, and Shoulder Presses. Core strength and stability are also on the agenda with exercises like the Superman Hold, High Plank, and Toe Taps, providing a well-rounded workout that challenges and strengthens your entire body.

We’ll be following an interval-based circuit format to maximize both strength gains and cardiovascular benefits. You’ll push through each exercise for 40 seconds, giving it your all, before earning a well-deserved 20-second rest. This approach not only keeps your heart rate up but also ensures that you maintain the intensity needed to make real progress.

Get ready to set the tone for the rest of the challenge with today’s session. It’s all about starting strong, staying focused, and pushing through the burn. Remember, consistency is key, and every day is a chance to get better. Let’s get moving and conquer Day 1 together!

Day 1 of Balanced Strength 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

#	Preview	Product
1		Manduka PRO Yoga Mat – Premium 6mm Thick Mat, Eco Friendly, Oeko-Tex Certified,...
2		Gymboss Interval Timer and Stopwatch - Black/Blue SOFTCOAT

Circuit 1- Do the circuit 3 times

1) Supported Lunges for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

Place your hands on your hips or stretch them out in front of you.

Bend your knees and lower your body down, keeping your back straight.

Pause when your front leg forms a 90-degree angle and your back knee is close to the floor.

Push off your front leg and return to the starting position.

Repeat with the opposite leg.

Rest for 20 Sec

2) Calf Raises for 40 Sec

Instructions:

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

Rest for 20 Sec

3) Chair Squat for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Stand up straight and bring your feet about shoulder-width apart.

Lower your hips and bend your knees, as if you are about to sit in a chair.

Continue to lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor.

While keeping your back as straight as possible, press through your heels and stand up.

Repeat the movement for as many repetitions as desired.

Rest for 20 Sec

Circuit 2- Do the circuit 3 times

4) IYT Raise for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Gather your materials IYT Raise worksheet, a pencil, and a timer.

Set your timer for three minutes.

Find a comfortable spot to sit.

Take a few deep breaths and relax your body.

Read the IYT Raise worksheet and think about each question.

Once the timer is up, take a few moments to reflect on your answers and feelings.

Write down any thoughts on the IYT Raise worksheet.

When you’re finished, you can share your insights with someone else or keep them to yourself.

Rest for 20 Sec

5) Superman Hold for 40 Sec

Instructions:

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.

Rest for 20 Sec

6) High Plank for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Start with your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor and extended in front of you.

Tuck your toes and step or jump back to a plank position.

Pull your belly button in towards your spine to stabilize your core.

Squeeze your glutes and quads and ensure your shoulders, hips, and heels are in a straight line.

Make sure your head is in line with your spine and look at a spot on the floor about a foot beyond your hands

Maintain the plank position while breathing deeply for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

To come out of the plank, lower yourself to the floor one vertebrae at a time.

Rest for 20 Sec

Circuit 3- Do the circuit 3 times

7) Toe Taps for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.

Lift one foot off the ground and tap the toe of the opposite foot lightly on the ground.

Tap the toe of the opposite foot lightly on the ground 8 times quickly.

Switch feet and repeat the same steps.

Continue alternating feet, tapping the toe of the opposite foot 8 times quickly.

Rest for 20 Sec

8) Wall PushUp for 40 Sec

Instructions:

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.

Rest for 20 Sec

9) Shoulder Press for 40 Sec

Instructions:

Stand with your feet hip-width apart.

Hold the weights at shoulder-height, with your elbows slightly bent.

Press both weights directly overhead, making sure to keep your elbows slightly bent.

Lower the weights back down to shoulder-height.

Repeat for desired number of reps.

Rest for 20 Sec

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.