A personal trainer recommends this two-move bodyweight workout for beginners who want to build strength and get fit
This efficient movement combo will get your heart rate up and strengthen your muscles
Complicated workouts and grueling fitness routines can make exercise feel like a chore.
But moving your body can be fun—that's the ethos of trainer Lucy Borrie's workout method BeBody, which is inspired by 80s aerobic workouts.
“We’ve combined aerobics, strength training, and Pilates into a single session, giving you the benefits of three workout types in one full-body experience,” she says.
Borrie's method is about enjoying movement without compromising on results, which is why she focuses on moves that provide both a cardio and strength challenge.
Here are two of her favorites that she often includes in BeBody workouts.
Try the two-move strength and cardio workout
This is a circuit-style workout, which means you do the exercises one after another.
Borrie recommends completing the circuit twice with minimal rest.
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.
“Start slow and then speed up your movement,” Borrie says.
She also says doing the mini workout to a good playlist is “essential”, so blast something you enjoy while doing these moves.
1. Squat to lunge
Reps: 5-10 each side
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and turned out slightly.
- Bend your knees and lower your hips until your thighs are parallel with the floor or lower.
- Return to standing.
- Step your right foot back, lowering your back knee toward the floor.
- Return to standing.
- Repeat the squat and then repeat the lunge on the opposite side.
Plank combination
Reps: 5-10 each side
- Come to your hands and knees, with your arms straight and your hands beneath your shoulders.
- Step your feet back so you're in a high-plank position, with your body in a straight line.
- Raise your right hand and tap your left shoulder.
- Return to the high plank position and repeat on the other side.
- Bring your right knee to your left elbow.
- Return to the high plank position and repeat on the other side.
- Complete this two-move combination 10 times.
Alice Porter is a freelance journalist covering lifestyle topics including health, fitness and wellness. She is particularly interested in women's health, strength training and fitness trends and writes for publications including Stylist Magazine, Refinery29, The Independent and Glamour Magazine. Like many other people, Alice's personal interest in combining HIIT training with strength work quickly turned into a CrossFit obsession and she trains at a box in south London. When she's not throwing weights around or attempting handstand push-ups, you can probably find her on long walks in nature, buried in a book or hopping on a flight to just about anywhere it will take her.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.