Celebrity-Inspired Workout Ideas to Change Up Your Routine
Guest Blog Post: Alexandria Heinz
Often when we hear “celebrity workout” we roll our eyes and think that it’s a fad workout. Or that celebs have personal trainers and dieticians, so it’s so much easier for them to be fit. While all that might be true, there’s a thing or two that we can learn from celebrities favorite exercises. A-listers may have it easier when it comes to fitness, but they still have to put in the work to stay in shape.
To inspire you to try out new movements in your day-to-day routine, Hola put together the visuals below.
Glute Exercises
For some, leg day is looked forward to because it makes you feel powerful and strong. Others dread the squat rack. Though squats are great for building glute and leg muscles, there are so many other movements that you can add to change up leg day. You might even find you enjoy them!
Toes out squat - Place a box or bench behind you. It should be about knee-high. Using a squat rack or barbell, center the bar across your neck. Stand with you legs slightly wider than shoulder-width, and point your toes out. Sit back and tap the box, then rise squeezing your glutes.
Single leg deadlift - Start with your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width. Hold a dumbbell in one hand. Bend at the waist, extending the leg on the dumbbell side backwards. Your back should be straight and hips should be square. Bend back up, returning your foot to the ground. Repeat for 15 reps.
Weighted hip thrust - Sitting on the floor with your legs extended, rest your back on the bench. It should hit around your shoulder blades. Place a cushion over a barbell and roll it over your thighs until it is above your hips. Lift your hips up to full extension, driving through your heels. Lower back to the ground in a slow, controlled motion.
Core Exercises
As summer approaches, a toned belly is what many of us strive for. Go beyond sit-ups or crunches with a few of these movements.
Resistance band donkey kicks - This is a great dual-purpose movement because it targets your glutes and your core. You can do a standing variation with the resistance band attached to a barre or chair, or a kneeling variation. For the latter, get down on all fours and hook the resistance band around one foot. Hold the resistance band with both hands. Kick back with the leg that the resistance band is hooked to. Squeeze your glutes and contract your core. Bend and lower knee. Repeat for 10+ reps.
Kettlebell swings - Start with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width. With a flat back, hike the bell between your legs, then swing upwards contracting your core and keeping your back straight. Repeat for 10-15 reps.
Hanging oblique crunch - Hang from a pull up bar. Bend knees, lifting them to the left side of your body. Repeat on the right side. Continue for 20 total reps.
Upper Body Exercises
Michelle Obama and Jennifer Aniston are known for their arms for a reason. While getting arms like them doesn’t happen overnight, consistent exercise and isolated upper body days can help.
Resistance band chest press - Wrap a resistance band around both hands, and press the band around your back. Push your hands in front of you, slightly crossing your arms when fully extended. Return to starting position. Continue for 2 minutes.
Dumbbell pec fly - Lay flat on a bench. Lift dumbbells above your chest with palms facing each other. Bending your elbows slightly, lower your arms out to your sides. Bring dumbbells back up. Repeat for 10-12 reps.
Arnold shoulder press - Sit on a bench with back support. Hold dumbbells at shoulders, with palms facing you. Raise dumbbells until your arms are straight, rotating hands so palms face forward. Lower dumbbells, rotating them back to the original position. Repeat for 10-12 reps.
If you choose to segment your workouts into upper and lower body days, it’s helpful to choose 6-7 different exercises, completing 3-4 sets of each. Any favorite exercises that we didn’t include? Share your favorite below!