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Trainersspend hours every day helping other people work toward their fitness goals.
Katie Thompson
They’re simply more efficientand who doesn’t want to get more done in less time?
But overall, compound exercises tend to take up the majority of time in their routines.
Of course, I should acknowledge that trainers are often strong and fit and work out very often.
Exercising is part of their job, after all.
There’s a reason for thatthe basics work, and complicated moves aren’t always better.
Below, check out 11 exercises top trainers do every time they work out.
Burpee
“I love burpees, in a love-to-hate-them' kind of way.
Theyre a great heart-rate raiser and they hit so many muscles and different parts of your body.
you’re free to also modify them or add to them to change it up.
They are easy for me.
Doing glute bridges with a band is great for that.
I travel with a resistance band in my bag.
Side Lunges
“Side lunges are my favorite exercise, period.
I do them before cardio (running or cycling) or Ill add them to any workout.
It’s a great bodyweight exercise.
“Kira Stokes, celebrity trainer and creator of theStoked Method
Quick note: These are quite challenging.
Squat
“Every time I work out I do some sort of squat.
When done correctly, it can also improve hip mobility.
The offset load forces the core muscles to work extra hard to keep your body stable.
As you jump, keep your elbows close to your body, core engaged, and knees soft.
It gets me in the right head space.
Between a little Nelly radio on Pandora and my jump rope, my body is ready to go play!
I love the feeling I get after a good jump rope session or even after just a short warm-up.
It leaves me feeling energized.
I love that you’ve got the option to go fast or slow.
you’re free to keep your arms straight or cross them.
you could jump the rope or skip it.
There are tons of variations that keep it fun and interesting.
I like all different variationsdownward-dog-to-plank is my jam just as much as a more traditional Vinyasa flows.
For running, HIIT, and strength training workouts, walkouts-to-down-dog or down-dog-to-low-lunge are almost always in my warm-up.
After running, downward dog always feels AMAZING.
Ive experienced all the benefits in the form of stronger glutes, legs, and lower back.
Gifs and image: Photographer: Katie Thompson.
Hair grooming: Yukiko Tajima.
Makeup: Risako Matsushita.
Stylists: Rika Watanabe, Tiffany Dodson.
She currently lives in Philadelphia and firmly believes you’re always just one workout away from a good mood.