Workout: Mueller Lake Park Circuit 13

Equipment Used: Timer (watch/phone/etc) Two adjustable Resistance Band (or multiple of varying strengths) Medicine ball (multiple of varying weights would be ideal) Soft ground area to lie down (carpet/grass/etc)

Tip: If a partner is not present, many of these exercises can be done solo or w/ the assistance of a mount point for your resistance band. Be creative!

Circuit #13

SUMMARY ***Stretch/Warmup Partner Press and Row (Band) Rotating Lunge (Band) Tricep Kickbacks (Band) Sit-Squat Hand-Off (Med ball) External Rotator Cuff Rotation (Band) Mid-Row Squat (Band) Sit-Ups Pass (Med Ball) Lunge to Chest Pass (Med Ball) Push-Up with Shoulder Tap Overhead Pass with Squat (Med Ball)

Circuit #13 - Partner Workout

This circuit was created to foster teamwork and camaraderie among our workout group by focusing on partner exercises. Using a minimal amount of equipment, we utilize a partner to create additional resistance. If you lack a partner or have odd numbers in your group, the exercises can be modified for solo performance as well. When choosing partners try to match people who are of similar weight and/or physical ability. While performing exercises, communicate with your partner to coordinate each movement. Use good form and encourage one another to give it 100% during the circuit. Certain exercises may require a slightly longer set to get enough work for both partners. Somewhere between 30 seconds to a minute for most. If you can, bring several different types of resistance bands and medicine balls. You could also use a sandbag or large diameter medicine ball (wall ball) for a couple exercises. Use your imagination and make replacments as needed. You will need a good amount of space to perform the exercises so clear out ample room. All of these exercises are just variations of familiar exercises. Descriptions and video examples are linked below so take time to review them and practice your form before hitting the workout. Good luck!

Examples

1 - Partner Press and Row  Video Example Stand one in front of the other, both facing the same direction connected by two fairly taut resistance bands. As the partner in front presses the handles forward (in a traditional chest press movement), the partner in back will simultaneously pull the handlebars back while squeezing the shoulder blades together (completing a basic row). Switch positions each set.

2 - Rotating Lunge  Video Example Standing beside each other far enough apart so there’s some tension between you, each grab one end of the resistance band. Lunge forward with the outside leg while simultaneously rotating away from one another. Press back up and back, switching sides each set.

3 - Tricep Kickbacks  Video Example Face off in front of your partner with the right foot in front of the left, holding one end of a resistance band in your right hand. (Your partner will mirror you with the left foot front and the band in the left hand.) Bend forward at the hips with the knees slightly bent, and slowly straighten the arm in unison to pull back the band. Return to start. Switch arms each set.

4 - Sit-Squat Hand-Off  Video Example Stand facing your partner, arms’ distance apart, in a squatting position with feet and knees shoulder width apart. Squat down until your thighs are parallel with the ground (or as close as you can get). Hand off a weighted ball back and forth.

5 - External Rotator Cuff Rotation  Video Example Stand side-by-side with your partner, facing the same direction. Hold one handle of the resistance band with your outside arm with your elbow bent at 90 degrees, anchored at the waist. Slowly rotate your forearm away from the body. Switch arms each set.

6 - Mid-Row Squat  Video Example With two tubes twisted around one another, stand facing your partner far enough apart that the tubing is taut. Lower in a squat position with the core engaged and back flat. Maintaining the squat (and the burn!) bring the elbows straight back with the palms facing in, and squeeze the shoulder blades together. Return to start position, counting it out with your partner until you reach your desired goal.

7 - Sit-Ups Pass  Video Example Start seated on the floor facing your partner, with feet touching and knees bent. Holding the medicine ball to your chest, both recline to the floor, come back up, and pass the ball to your partner.

8 - Lunge to Chest Pass  Video Examples Grab a medicine ball and face your partner, standing about 5 feet apart. Lunge forward and chest pass to your partner. They’ll then catch it and head straight into their lunge-and-pass.

9 - Push-Up with Shoulder Tap  Video Examples Face your partner in push up position (go to your knees if you need). Lower into a push-up. Push back up to the starting position, then lift your right hand, and tap your partner on the left shoulder (while your partner does the same thing). Repeat tapping the other shoulder.

10 - Overhead Pass with Squat  Video Examples Stand back-to-back with your partner; legs shoulder width apart holding a medicine ball. Lower into a squat position and as you return to standing, press the ball over head. Your partner then reaches up and grabs it. Repeat the motion passing the ball back and forth.

Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!

Workout: Mueller Lake Park Circuit 12

Equipment Used: Timer (watch/phone/etc) 12-16lb sledgehammer and medium/large truck tire 20+ feet of rope Two medicine balls Sandbag (or medium dumbbell) Resistance Band (medium and/or adjustable recommended) Ab Roller Jump Rope Soft ground area to lie down (carpet/grass/etc) A raised, solid surface which will support your weight (park bench, steps, sturdy chair)

Tip: Get creative! Even if you don't have the equipment listed, find suitable replacements.

Circuit #12

SUMMARY ***Stretch/Warmup Station #1: Hammer Swing (start) Station #2: Alternate Ropes Station #3: Box Jumps / Step-Ups Station #4: Pull-Ups / Back Rows Station #5: Medicine Ball Russian Twists Station #6: Sandbag Squat Presses Station #7: Resistance Band Punches / Press Station #8: Ab Rollouts / Plank Station #9: Push-Ups Station #10: Jump Rope Station #11: Lunge Twists (back to start)

Circuit #12 - Station Workout

This workout is our first true "circuit". A circuit is defined as a line, route, or movement that starts and finishes at the same place. Generally our workouts involve everyone performing the same exercise/movement simultaneously but we decided to switch things up. By introducing some new equipment, our hope is to inject some fun into the circuit and provide new challenges for our muscles. This equipment can either be purchased from your local sporting goods store or created from other objects. You can search the web for instructions on how to make DIY workout equipment (i.e. creating sandbag from a duffel bag, trash bag and sand). Before starting, set out the equipment needed at each "station". Take time to make sure each item is in good working order and become familiar with the form needed to perform your exercises. Using a timer/stopwatch, we want to spend a set amount of time at each station (i.e. 20-30 seconds) and then move onto the next. Once we circle back around to the first station, take a break and grab some water. Then start the process over. Repeat until sufficiently tired! Try to keep your intensity up when moving through the stations. The order of this circuit is setup to be convenient for our park location. Feel free to change up the order to suit your needs. We generally try to rotate body parts (upper, lower and abs) to give each one at least one break before hitting it again. We also tried to provide alternate exercises for those that may be too difficult for some. Make adjustments to the workout plan to suit your individual needs. A great portion of these exercises have not been used here before. Video examples are linked below so take time to review them and practice your form before hitting the workout. Good luck!

Examples

Hammer Swing: Click For Video Example Alternate Ropes: Click For Video Example Box Jumps: Click For Video Example Step-Ups: Click For Video Example Pull-Ups: Click For Video Example Back Row: Click For Video Example Medicine Ball Russian Twist: Click For Video Example Sandbag Squat Press: Click For Video Example Resistance Band Punch: Click For Video Example Resistance Band Press: Click For Video Example Ab Rollout: Click For Video Example Plank: Click For Video Example Push-Up: Click For Video Example Jump Rope: Click For Video Example Lunge Twists: Click For Video Example

Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!

Workout: Mueller Lake Park Circuit 5

Equipment Used: An adjustable resistance band or a few bands w/ varying resistance A pull-up bar, free-standing pole, or something similar Optional:Timer

Circuit #5

SUMMARY ***Stretch/Warmup Bicep Curls Tricep Extensions Chest Flys Overhead Press Lateral Raise Standing Back Rows Rear Delt Flys Good Mornings Squats Static Lunge Reverse Ab Crunch Oblique Twist Kneeling Crunch

Circuit #5 - Resistance Bands

We are always looking to challenge ourselves with new styles of working out. A couple of us have been doing strict body weight, "street-style" workouts and gradually incorporated resistance band work into that. I initially always thought that resistance band work was for all the older seniors at the gym but was surprised at how well it works. They key is to ensure you have access to a set of bands that are of varying resistance and possibly different lengths. The bands are also convenient for our workouts because they are easier to carry around than dumbbells. The bands promote use of many stabilization muscles. Resistance is constant throughout the exercise which challenges you more than a traditional dumbbell workout. The way to get the most out of reps is to focus on form and maintaining a smooth line of movement. Also be sure to squeeze the target muscle group and focus on flexing it during the movement. Be wary of certain exercises. If you are not mindful of your setup, you may find a band snapping back at your face! Always double check your mount points. This circuit can be done in a living room, garage, pretty much anywhere that has a stable place to loop the band around. Even if you are lacking a good mount point, many of the exercises have multiple variations that can be done w/out a mount. The circuit covers most major muscle groups, targeting each one w/ 2-3 exercises. We are using a timer to keep track of sets or doing certain exercises to failure. There are more exercises in this circuit than usual but you can super set several of them together if you want to shorten the time taken to complete it. The bands are fast to setup and easy to transition between so time shouldn't be an issue.

1 - Bicep Curls  Video Example Stand on the band w/ your feet shoulder width apart. Have your hands down at your sides. The band should start tension as soon as you begin to raise your hands (adjust band accordingly). With your palms facing up/out, begin to curl. Optional: You can perform hammer curls by keeping your palms facing in. Optional: You can flip your palms down and work your forearms during this too. Optional: This can be done seated as well. Adjust band length and use foot to keep band stable.

2 - Tricep Extensions  Video Example Stand with one leg slightly back from your body. Have your band under the back foot. Grab the band handles behind your head and your arms at ninety degrees. Extend your arms upward to complete extensions. Optional: If you have an overhead mount point (i.e. pull-up bar), you can wrap the band around that, lean forward w/ and perform extensions.

3 - Chest Flys  Video Example Loop band around a pole (or other mounting point, i.e. doorknob). Face away from the pole. Extend your arms out horizontally and step away from the mount point a few paces until the band is taut. Have your palms facing out and away from you. Keep your arms extended and rotate your arms in front of you. Flex your chest as you complete reps. Optional: You can bend your arms ninety degrees, while still keeping them horizontal (i.e. push-up position). Push forward and flex your chest to perform reps.

4 - Overhead Press  Video Example Stand on the band w/ your feet shoulder width apart. Have your arms at ninety degrees w/ your hands up by your head. The band should start tension as soon as you begin to raise your arms (adjust band accordingly). Press your arms into the air above your head. Optional: You can alternately kneel on the band.

5 - Lateral Raise  Video Example Stand on the band w/ your feet shoulder width apart. Have your hands down at your sides. The band should start tension as soon as you begin to raise your hands (adjust band accordingly). With your palms facing down, raise your arms to the horizontal position. Optional: You can alternately kneel on the band. Optional: You can perform this exercise one arm at a time or simultaneously. Optional: You can raise your arms at your sides or straight in front of you.

6 - Standing Back Rows  Video Example Loop band around a pole (or other mounting point, i.e. doorknob). Face the pole. Step away from the mount point a few paces until the band is taut. Start with your arm slightly outstretched. Have your palms facing in and pull your arms back until your elbows are behind you. Keep your elbows close to your sides and bend your arms at ninety degrees. Optional: You can alternately perform this seated. Loop the band around your feet w/ your legs stretched out. Optional: An alternate grip is to have your arms out horizontally and bent at ninety degrees. Palms down.

7 - Rear Delt Flys  Video Example Loop band around a pole (or other mounting point, i.e. doorknob). Face the pole. Step away from the mount point a few paces until the band is almost taut. Start with your arm outstretched horizontally in front of you. Have your palms facing in. Rotate your arms toward your back, squeezing while performing reps. Optional: You can wrap the band around the pole a few times if you need more resistance. Optional: Instead of looping the band around a pole, you can simply grab the band with two hands and perform reps.

8 - Good Mornings  Video Example Loop band around your neck and place both your feet into each handle. The band should be taut when you stand up straight. Your feet should be shoulder width apart. Bend at the waist, keeping your back straight, bowing toward the ground. Keep your chin up, bend slightly at the knees and push your butt out as you bend. Straighten back to a vertical position to complete the rep.

9 - Squats  Video Example Stand on the band w/ your feet shoulder width apart. Have your arms at ninety degrees w/ your hands up by your head. The band should be taut. While maintaining your hands by your head, squat down by bending at the knee and sticking your butt out and down.

10 - Static Lunge  Video Example Loop band around your neck and place one foot into both handles. The band should be taut when you stand up straight. Place the foot that is in the handles a full step forward. Your other leg should be a step backward. Bend the knee on the back leg toward the ground. Your front leg will slightly bend at the knee as well. Keep the majority of your weight on your front leg. Be sure to switch feet after one leg is finished doing reps.

11 - Reverse Ab Crunch  Video Example Loop band around your neck and place one foot into each handle. Lean back slightly and hold the sides of the flat bench. Place your legs together and extend them out in front of the end of the bench. Perform reps by bending your knees and pulling them in toward your chest while leaning forward. Release by leaning back into starting position and extending your legs back out. Optional: Loop band around the pole, facing pole and place your feet into the handles. Perform same motion but scoot back far enough so the band is taut. ***Note: Video Example not exactly as described above.

12 - Oblique Twist  Video Example Loop band around a pole (or other mounting point, i.e. doorknob). Loop one handle through the other one and tighten it. Only one handle should be usable. Step away from the mount point until the band is taut. Stand w/ your feet shoulder width apart, parallel to the pole w/ your arms chest height and outstretched. While keeping your arms locked out straight, twist at the waist so your torso faces away from the pole.

13 - Kneeling Crunch  Video Example If you have an overhead mount point (i.e. pull-up bar), loop the band around that. Get on your knees facing the mount. Grasping both handles, place your hands together beside your head w/ your arms bent at ninety degrees. You should be leaning forward slightly. The band should be taut, move away from the mount point if it is not. Keep your hips stationary and bend your waist so that your bent elbows travel toward your knees. Optional: An alternate grip is to place your hands behind your head. ***Note: Do not move your arms during this movement. They should remain fixed in place.

Hydrate, Rest and Recover. Good luck!!!