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It’s the brisk walk to the gym or the 10 halfhearted jumping jacks before boot camp.
It’s your secret weapon for getting more out of every second you sweat.
Skylar Diggins, the WNBA’s buzziest player, swears by hers.
Yet, despite the great expectations, Diggins put in a disappointing first season.
“My warm-up is like other people’s workouts,” Diggins half-jokes.
It also informs every minute that follows.
“It sets the tone,” Diggins says.
“I tell myself, ‘This will be tough, but I’m going to get it done.’
That mind-set gives my entire workout greater impact.”
By starting strong, she’s able to work more efficiently, too.
Diggins begins with cardio to elevate her heart rate and activate her muscles.
Then she does an agility drill to improve her speed.
Next she works on increasing her upper-body range of motion.
She finishes with a stretch to improve her flexibility before beginning her main workout.
Throughout all eight minutes, she doesn’t hold back.
“you should probably put in real effortbreak a sweat,” Freeman says.
Warm-up most definitely included.
(you’re able to also do the routine four times and call it your workout.)
Do each move for 30 seconds with no rest in between.
Squat:Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms in front of you, back straight.
Squat, making sure knees don’t extend past toes.
Jump Squat:Squat, then explode upward, arms overhead.
Low Plank:Balance on forearms.
Switch sides; repeat.
Reverse-Jump Lunge:Lunge each leg back, jumping to switch feet.
Three-Point Plank:Start in a raised plank.
Burpee:With feet hip-width apart, crouch down and plant hands on floor under shoulders.
Jump feet into a plank; hop feet back to hands and jump up to start.
Continue for 20 seconds.
Switch sides; repeat.
Then step right foot forward; return to start.
Continue for 20 seconds.
Switch sides; repeat.
Finally, squat, then step right foot as far right as you could.
Step left foot to right to return to hip-width.
Shuffle right for 20 seconds.
Then shuffle left for 20 seconds.
Windmill:Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes turned left 45 degrees, right hand extended overhead.
Pop right hip out to side as though you’re balancing something heavy, bending left knee slightly.
Continue for 30 seconds.
Switch sides; repeat.
Leg Drop:Lie faceup with left leg extended.
Loop a resistance band under toes of right foot and raise right leg to ceiling, foot flexed.
Return to start; lower right leg to left; hold.
Repeat with left leg.
Producer, Kim Handley/George Productions.
