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"The get-strong moves I do every day"; Off the dance floor, Julianne Hough uses these exercises to get flexible and firm. Add them to your workout too
Shape, July, 2008 by Janet Lee
DANCERS HAVE AMAZINGLY TONED PHYSIQUES, but it takes more than fancy footwork to keep their sleek shapes. "There are certain areas of the body that dancing won't tone, so I still stretch and do crunches, lunges, and arm moves just about every day," says Dancing With the Stars' Julianne Hough. She maintains her sculpting plan off-season too, when she runs for 30 to 45 minutes on most days.
We asked Julianne to show us the 15-minute routine she does to supplement her dancing. These moves will help you create a stronger body, especially if you spend all your time on cardio machines. Do it twice a week and you'll notice your legs firming up, your arms becoming more defined, and your muscles getting more limber. You just may be inspired to sign up for dance lessons--and you'll have the body for it!
1 knee-in plank
WORKS CORE, ARMS, AND BUTT
* Get in push-up position on floor with hands shoulder-width apart. Lift hips so body is in an inverted V. Lift right leg so it's in line with your torso [A], then draw your knee into your chest as you lower hips to plank position, so body is straight from head to heels [B]. Lift hips as you extend leg again and repeat. Do 15 reps; on the last rep, pulse knee toward chest 20 times. Switch legs and repeat.
2 leg lift
WORKS LEGS, BUTT, AND HIPS
* Stand with heels together, toes out, and extend arms out to each side at shoulder height, palms facing forward. Bend knees and lower into a plie, then stand up and raise left leg in front of you, toes pointed. Bring it out to the side [A], then raise it behind you as you pivot on ball of right foot and extend right arm forward and left arm back, keeping torso upright [B]. Hold leg in rear position for 8 seconds, then bring leg out to side and forward again; switch legs. Repeat series twice.
3 plie jump
WORKS LEGS AND BUTT
* Stand with heels together, toes out, and arms in front of hips, elbows slightly bent as if you were holding a large ball. Bend knees and lower into a plie, keeping heels on the floor [A]. Jump up [B]. Do 15 small jumps, then step your feet slightly wider and do 15 more jumps. Repeat series 3 times.
4 arm circle
WORKS SHOULDERS
* Stand with feet together and extend arms out to each side at shoulder height, palms facing down [A]. Keeping your chest high, arms straight, and shoulders back, quickly make 20 small circles forward, then 20 in the opposite direction. Next, keep upper arms stationary as you rotate right forearm in a circle 20 times [B], then left forearm. Finally, do both arms at once 20 times. Repeat entire series once or twice.
5 squat to lunge
WORKS LEGS AND BUTT
* Stand with feet wide, toes turned out, and extend arms overhead, fingers clasped and palms facing up. Lower into a squat until thighs are parallel with floor, knees aligned over toes [A]. Turn to the right, pivoting on ball of left foot so feet are parallel and you're in a lunge. At the same time, lower arms in front of you to shoulder height, keeping chest high and abs tight [B]. Do 10 pulses up and down in the lunge position, then stand up, squat, and lunge to the left Repeat series 3 times.
6 chest raise
WORKS BACK
* Lie facedown with arms extended in front of you. Keeping legs and hips on the floor, raise arms, head, and chest several inches [shown]. Slowly pulse upper body up and down 8 to 10 times, then lower to floor and repeat once.
7 straddle
STRETCHES INNER THIGHS AND OBLIQUES
* Sit with legs extended out to each side as wide as you comfortably can. Reach arms out to shoulder height so they're parallel with legs [A]. Lean over to right and place right hand on ankle or foot and extend left arm overhead to right [B]. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 stretches to each side.
8 knee drop
STRETCHES OUADS, HIP FLEXORS, AND CHEST
Lie faceup with arms extended out to each side. Bend right knee and draw right foot toward right shoulder, keep knee on floor if you can. At the same time, bend left knee and draw left foot toward right knee [shown]. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 stretches to each side.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning