Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but if you are not doing the moves the right way, you may risk more than just gaining weight – you could get hurt.
We have compiled some of the most basic exercise moves that everyone knows and included some tips to make sure that you are doing them correctly and safely.
Take a few minutes to learn these moves, and you will be toning up and slimming down in no time.
The high plank.
This is a great move for your core, so you really need to get it right. Make sure that your hands and knees are shoulder-width apart and that your hands remain under your shoulders while your knees are under your hips. The goal is to create a single line with your body connecting the shoulders, hips, and knees. During this move, tighten your quads, push through your palms, and engage your belly – and keep your hips lifted!
The push-up.
Believe it or not, there is a correct way to do a push-up. Starting in the high plank position, keep your palms under your shoulders or just slightly wider. Always keep your fingers pointed forward. Keeping your core tight, bend your elbows to lower your torso to the floor, but do not let your hips drop before your chest does. Push through your palms to rise up.
The bodyweight squat.
The bodyweight squat is a great way to tighten up your thighs, butt, and core. Make sure you start off standing with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart and keep your feet turned out about 5 to 15 degrees. Bend your knees into a squat as you hinge your hips back toward the wall. Be sure to push through your heels as you stand.
The reverse lunge.
Another great one for your hips and thighs is the reverse lunge. Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a breath as you step backwards with your left foot, landing on the ball of your foot and keeping your heel off the floor. At this point, bend your knees to create two 90-degree angles and go as low as you can while keeping your shoulders directly above your hips and your chest upright.
The burpee.
Although it is challenging, the burpee is very effective and lots of fun! You should start by standing with your feet hip-distance apart, then squat to bring your palms to the floor as you jump back into a high plank position. Bend your elbows to do a push-up, going back into high plank, and then jump your feet outside of your hands and lift up quickly. As you jump up to a standing position, reach your arms as straight up as you can.
The trick to effective exercise is form, so make sure you lean how to do these moves properly to make the most of every workout. Do not forget to breathe and stay hydrated!
