After many weeks of offering functional, core-strengthening, do-anywhere workouts that use little or no equipment, you might to ask yourself, “can I get that kind of a workout in the gym?” Lately, with crossfit, bootcamp, and other gym-free and outdoorsy workouts being all the rage, the idea of working out in a gym has come to sound almost old school. Well, today we’re going back to the gym for a super functional workout that is fast, fun, and will work all your major muscle groups, especially your core.
Because our time is so valuable, this workout will be done circuit style. However, if you’re in a busy gym and the odds of moving smoothly through a circuit workout are slim to none, feel free to change it up and do your sets of each exercise at one time with about 45 seconds between. Then move on to the next exercise.
Now, you may notice that even though we’re back in the gym I didn’t use a whole lot of machines, or even many weights. That’s because I really like workouts that use your body weight when possible. I also like dumbbells, because they make you work unilaterally, give you a wider range of motion than machines, and require you to use additional muscles to stabilize when performing many exercises. The cable machine has similar benefits, and allows you to perform functional movements that mimic day-to-day activities.
Do you work out in a gym? What is your favorite gym exercise?
Huge fan of body weight exercises! Functional is great!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Rehab for Runner’s Knee
I agree. It’s really where the trend is going in fitness and it makes so much sense.
Debbie recently posted..Wednesday Workout: Back to the Gym
Great one! Body weight exercises are really good. I need to do more of them. Funny timing of this post – I headed into the gym today and got a PT session in functional movement. The concept is newish to me, and it’s fantastic!
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I hope you’ll come back and share anything new and exciting that you do in your session today!
Debbie recently posted..Wednesday Workout: Back to the Gym
I am very blessed to be able to have a full home gym for free at the home of the children that I am a nanny for! It’s so awesome. I’m not a fan of machines in a gym tho for sure bc I get bored!! Treadmills are the worst, but I love running outside! In the gym i prefer to do weights or the elliptical for a machine!
You’re lucky to have free access to a gym! Of course, I do too, because I work at one, but sometimes it’s kind of awkward because I’m the director (which is why I do it after we close like I did yesterday). I don’t much care for the cardio machines except in (running) emergencies. And as you see by the workout I designed, I don’t have much use for the standard machines in the gym.
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Thanks for the workout…I pinned it! And I like body weight exercises too! When I go to the gym it’s mostly to use the treadmill because I can’t run outside due to weather, heat, etc. But I DO want to start utilizing my gym more so I am thankful you posted this workout!
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Thanks for the pin! I’m really not a treadmill person. I’d rather wake up very early to beat the heat than run on a treadmill. Gyms do have their place in the fitness world though. Hope the workout is useful.
Debbie recently posted..23 Paws: Pet Stories Link Up. I Just Found Out!
I definitely workout in a gym! I love shoulder presses
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That’s why you have such awesome shoulders!
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I don’t workout at the gym anymore but when I did I was the most successful and consistent with taking classes. I kind of floundered when I tried strength training on my own. Pinned your workout!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..The Pain May Be a Side Stitch or ERTAP
Nice workout! Love the mix of body weight and dumbbell exercises!
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