Thursday, August 2, 2012

FAVORITE CARDIO & EXERCISES FOR HIPS!

Good morning!  It's another beautiful morning...just had a GREAT workout and am now getting ready to head out for a day of fun with my son Pry'nce.  It's kind of a sad, but happy day too as you other parents out there with your "babies" starting kindergarten will agree because it's my LAST Thursday of ALL DAY Mommy/Son bonding on a week day since he is now off to Big Kid's School starting Monday!  Where oh where has the time gone?!

So before I turn this into a dramatic blog about how I'm handling my BABY starting kindergarten, let me get to the main subject at hand which is what are my 2 FAVORITE "GO TO" Cardio machines for trimming and leaning out the hips???  AND...what are my 2 FAVORITE "GO TO" Exercises for trimming and leaning out the hips???  Well, get ready because they aren't anything fancy or trendy.  Ready?  Here you go!

Cardio equipment #1...Elliptical Machine (PRECOR is the only brand I stand strong behind too if you were to ask me the different lines of ellipticals...this in my opinion, is the BEST).  The elliptical machine is such a good one because it not only targets your HIPS, but it also targets your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.  What else is FABULOUS about this piece of cardio equipment is it also is LOW IMPACT on your knees and joints so you can go on it for 30 minutes to 60 minutes and not feel PAIN in your joints.  Make sure you keep your heels down while moving the pedals.  The most common mistake people make when using the elliptical is bringing their heels up instead of leaving their feet FLAT on the pedals.  Switch it up too...moving forward allows you to target the top of your thighs (quads) and hips, while moving backwards allows you to target your glutes (butt) and hips.  So get on that elliptical and have fun!

Cardio equipment #2...Treadmill at an INCLINE.  Now if you mean SERIOUS business and aren't a BEGINNING exerciser, crank that treadmill up to 10-15 incline for 20-30 minutes (YOU'RE WELCOME!) and feel the inches come off!  If you're a beginner, that's ok!  Crank it up to at least a 3 incline and you will start to FEEL the inches coming off.  Remember, I didn't say to RUN did I?  Nope!  WALK at your incline between 3.0-3.5 RPMS...and be ready for RESULTS!

Favorite HIP TRIMMING EXERCISE #1...LUNGES!!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE LUNGES!!  Front, side, back, split...they ALL work!  Start off with just 3 sets of 10 reps and work up to 20-30 reps.  Be sure to watch your form...do NOT let your knee go over your toes.  Form IS everything!  I will post pics this weekend of how each lunge looks so you have a reference...but once again do NOT have your knees go over your toes.  Lunges not only trim your HIPS, but they also LIFT your glutes and who doesn't want that? Right?!

Favorite HIP TRIMMING EXERCISE #2...Floor Bridges.  Very simple!  Lay in a supine position (facing the ceiling/sky) with your knees bent and feel flat.  Gently and slowly lift your hips off the ground and squeeze your glutes.  3 sets of 20-30 reps.  When you're feeling comfortable with this exercise, progress it to bridge up...lift one of your legs while your hips are up off the floor, bring that leg back down, followed by your hips down.  Alternate legs and do at least 3 sets of 15 reps each leg. 

So these are my TOP 2 CARDIO AND EXERCISES that target your HIPS!  Know that there are many progressions of the exercises described to you today and I will be sure to add some pictures for your review as well.  By doing the exercises listed and incorporating a cardio program into your weekly routine 4 times MINIMUM along with a HEALTHY eating plan you should start dropping sizes before you know it!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and feel free to post any questions or comments you may have about today's blog.  Also, join TODAY as a follower if you enjoyed it and also follow me on twitter @FITDIVAFAMISHA for more fitness tips or Famisha'isms of the day.  Next week, there will be a new "Fitness is Fun with your Kids!" video for the month of August.

Have a Beautiful, Happy and Healthy Week!!

As Always...Stay Fit and Happy!
Famisha :-)

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