There are a lot of at home workout options available online and trying to decide what works for you is important. One thing I noticed however in a lot of home workouts available is the lack of focus on the posterior chain. Lots of push ups and crunches but not much for the backside of the body, upper/lower back and the glutes/hamstrings. Let’s fix that shall we? Let’s fire up the posterior chain with this week’s workout. Interval workout #4 from my free 31 day bootcamp.
I’ve already broken down interval training workout #1, #2 and #3. This week will be the final interval workout #4 including the modifications for each exercise. The full follow along video is available on youtube. Remember that the 31 day no excuses bootcamp is available for free, along with my free health & Fitness planner. Plus, I have so much more coming! Stay tuned.
Fire the Posterior Chain – Interval workout #4
As I said above, I try to encompass a total body workout in the bootcamp and that means hitting the posterior chain hard. It’s an area that often gets neglected when working out at home. Due to single leg exercises this workout should take about 30 minutes, plus a 5 minutes warm up, and cool down. So bear that in mind. Still totally doable for most people. If you absolutely positively MUST only have a 30 minute workout then I have a couple of options for you. Reduce the rest time. The standard rest time is 15s between exercises, if you cut that out completely you save 5 minutes! Another way is to shorten the workout set time, standard is 45s so you could reduce that to 40s and save 3 minutes. Another way would be to do the first half of the workout only. Or do TWO sets of each exercise rather than the recommended three. The last option would be a better choice as it immediately saves you 10 minutes.
Skaters
As with the other interval workouts we start with cardio, then lower body, upper body and finally core. Our first cardio exercise of this workout is Skaters. Imagine a speed skater. Ice or roller skates it really doesn’t matter. From a standing position take a wide lateral hop from side to side, getting low as you can. So sink into the legs. Land with a bent knee.
Modification. Rather than hop side to side, step side to side for less impact. This will also reduce the range of motion. For a truly low impact version stand with the feet wide apart and bend and alternating knee, swaying the upper body from side to side.
Reverse Lunge & Knee Lift*
While this reverse lunge is strength you will also feel some cardio as it’s a power exercise. Start in a standing position. Step the left leg back, and bend both knees to 90°. From here drive up through the right leg and sweep the left knee up towards the heart. For a pumping heart add a hop on the right foot at the top! Land on the right foot, then bring the left leg behind you and repeat. *Repeat on both sides!
Modifications: I already mentioned that the hop was optional, but definitely omit the hop if high impact is not your prefered workout or you want to take OUT the cardio element. Instead of bringing the knee through you could step the foot back to the floor (standing). Another option would be to do a standing static split squat. Step one leg back, one leg forward and just bend and extend the legs for a no-impact version.
Back Extension
If you do a lot of ab work then you need to balance things out by working the lower back. One great exercise is this back extension. Great for the posterior chain, Lie face down with the hands resting on the low back/pelvis. Keeping the head in line with the spine lift the shoulders, chest and head away from the floor creating and arch in the back. Lower back to the floor with control. Ensure you don’t throw the head back but instead move from the lumbar spine.
Modifications: Described and shown above is an intermediate version. For an easier version have the hands and forearms resting on the floor for a little assistance, and leave the hands on the floor. For a harder version place the hands to the temples and lift the arms up with the torso. Ensure it’s the lower back and glutes doing the work here!
Reverse Crunch
We worked the back so let’s work the abs next! Lie on your back with the legs up, feet towards the sky. Arms can be resting down by the sides. Pull the hips up towards the sky by contracting the abs. Control the movement. Feet should go UP rather than over the head.
Modifications: Shortening the lever here is the easiest modification, so bend the knees. Focus on the curl of the back, as the hips lift and knees come towards the chest. Try not to make the movement happen with movement in the legs from the hip crease, but from the abs.
Lateral Jump
Ok one round done, one to go! Cardio again. This time a jump laterally. Which is a fancy way of saying side to side. I added marks on the floor on the photo so you can see the movement happening side to side. Try to land with the knees bent and both feet together.
Modification: If this is too much impact and intensity modify! Maybe keep the jump but just jump up and down, not side to side. If the jump is too much, step side to side and omit the jump completely. Another option would be to do a squat to standing calf raise, mimicking the action of a jump but keeping the impact low.
Single Leg Glute Bridge*
These are so good for the posterior chain. Fires the glutes and hamstrings, while working on some external rotation in the hip and stability if you do the single leg variation shown below. Yep it packs a punch! Lie on your back with the knees bent, feet on the floor and arms resting by the sides. Shown below take right foot and place the ankle across the top of the left knee. Keeping a small natural ARCH in the low back, drive the left foot into the floor raising the hips with control. Lower back towards the floor. *Repeat on both sides!
Modifications: If you really want to continue with single leg variation then simply limit the range of motion. Don’t lift the hips as high. For a much easier version leave both feet on the floor and push both feet down to lift the hips. This version will also save time as you won’t need to do each leg.
Mini Scorpion
Can I just quickly say that I love this movement? Not only is it challenging but it really makes the glutes, hamstrings and lower back light up! Who knew such a small movement could be so challenging? Start lying face down on the floor with the knees bent, knees apart, and feet pushing together. Place the hands under the forehead. Tip here: the head, arms, hands, shoulders etc DON’T MOVE, so make yours upper body comfortable. From the glutes/hips lift the knees up off the floor, feet towards the sky. Lift and lower with control.
Modifications: I’ve already said this can be a challenging exercise. To make it easier it sounds counter intuitive but lengthen the legs out across the floor. Then lift one LEG off the floor at a time. Alternating sides. Make sure the whole LEG lifts from the hip so that the knee lifts off the floor.
Mermaid
Come onto your right side with your right forearm on the floor, right butt cheek on the floor (not the boney hip, but the fleshy cheek), and the left hand behind you for support. Dont’ sink into the right shoulder, lift the chest, lengthen the spine. Pull the knees towards the chest [as shown below], with control lengthen the legs away from you keeping the legs slightly in front of the body, feet lifted off the floor.
Modifications: An easier version would be to reduce the range of motion so don’t straighten the legs as far out. You could lift the legs up higher to reduce the load on the core. Or for an easier version, from the same set up position. Place the right foot on the floor and perform a single leg exercise.
[tweetthis]Looking for a #homeworkout? Fire up the back and the booty with this interval workout #hiit[/tweetthis]
Each exercise is done for 45s, with 15s rest between exercises. You have options. In the videos I chose to do the first four exercises and repeat them three times, then do the same thing for the next four exercises. Or you could work through all eight exercises and repeat three times the whole way through all eight. The idea is that you don’t change the sets of four. This is to get the body working through cardio, lower body, upper body and core for a little peripheral heart action training. This helps get you fitter, faster.
Those are the exercises for interval workout #4 of the no excuses bootcamp. Even if you don’t do this format, I hope you found something useful, inspiring or motivational from this post, and the program. All of the workout videos are on my YouTube channel. Remember to keep moving. stop complaining and start training!
Agness of Run Agness Run
Great workout plan, Di! I will definitely give it a try!
Di Hickman
For sure Agness give it a go!
Tabitha Shakespeare
This looks like such a great and intense workout! You are on fire girl! Love it!
Di Hickman
Thanks!
Stephanie Clark
This looks intense but awesome! I really want to start doing some home training since I work from home! I will definitely be back and checking out your Youtube!
Di Hickman
Definitely try it, I have others that are lower impact like my pilates workouts
Amber Nelson
That actually looks like a, dare I say, a FUN workout! I love the variety of exercises.
Di Hickman
Well I enjoy it. Not always during, but definitely after, lol!
Olivia
Interval training is great! Great results will come of intense training like this. I look forward to try these out
Di Hickman
Interval training is the best IMO!
Heather
This is fantastic! Since having my second daughter (who is almost TWO), I have had a very hard time getting back into fitness. Thank you for the excellent tips and making it look easy to bolster up my confidence!
Di Hickman
Making time for yourself is important Heather, Plus your daughter will be looking to you for creating good habits. Get back into a routine girlfriend!
Kiwi
I want to work out better but this looks intense. You did a great job wit the photo demos!
Di Hickman
Thanks KiSheyna! Use the modifications described if you feel it’s too intense
HilLesha
I have never heard of some of these workouts. I’ll definitely have to try them sometime, especially after my pregnancy!
Di Hickman
For sure after. I’ll be here 😉
Heather
I do the reverse crunch, but that is about it! And you are right, out of all the workouts I see online, it does seem that the posterior is left off the list. I’m definitely going to try and add some of these moves into my routine.
Di Hickman
Yep it does get left out a lot Heather. Which is a shame as they are so needed!
Tereza
Loving all your workouts Di, they burn like hell haha! I’ve tried one the other day and man, it’s tough! You’re really good at explaining all the different parts, thank you! x
Di Hickman
Thanks Tereza! Glad you like them! More coming
Rimsha
Wow this is awesome! I actually want to try out these postures. I’ve been getting super lazy with working out recently so your post was just the motivation I needed 🙂
Di Hickman
Always here (and on social media) for some motivation, and butt kicking!
Jennifer (JenuineMom)
You always have such great photos of your workouts. The Skaters and Mermaid moves look fun!!
Lydia
This looks like a great workout! I love putting some cardio into my weekly workout, although that’s normally boxing or wrestling! I’ll have to try this routine out
Di Hickman
Yes it’ll be a good addition to cardio!
karen
That reverse crunch looks like a killer! But – also killer results. I have to admit, I am terrible with any warm up or cool down. Gotta be better at including that into the routine.
Di Hickman
Yes for sure! Warm up and cool down are important. I have videos for both in the bootcamp!
Shelby
These exercises look great. It is so important to work the whole body. Crunches and push ups definitely aren’t enough of a workout. Great tips!
Di Hickman
Totally agree. People need to do more than just the front body!
Jeanine
This needs to be added to my work outs. I just started last week though, so I will be adding things slowly. After baby and so out of shape! this looks great.
Di Hickman
Try adding the first four and repeat those, then add the others in a few weeks once you get stronger
Carlota
I should definitely start trying some of these at home. Very grateful for your pics and videos, they are very helpful for newbies like me!
Carlota
Di Hickman
You’re welcome! I have a beginner pilates workout/video if this is too intense!
Reesa Lewandowski
Oh man this looks bad a$$!!! Just what my posterior needs! Thank you! Can’t wait to try this out!
Di Hickman
Yes! Get that tush lifted and toned! 😉
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
Ok, adding this to my routine! I love that you cover the whole body including the back. Great variety.
Di Hickman
The back body is so neglected by most people! Yet it’s so important for posture!
Amanda Love
I really appreciate posts like this that help me build the perfect routine at home. I find it more convenient to exercise at home than to apply for a gym membership. This is definitely helpful!
Di Hickman
Yes workouts at home are definitely more convenient!
Debra
This looks a great workout, I really need to get back into this and I know I would feel better!
Di Hickman
definitely! Gives you energy and good for your whole body!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I love that you workout at home, and show us how to as well. I also love that your workouts look killer!
Di Hickman
I workout at the gym sometimes too.
Linda Carmical
I really like the idea of inerval workouts. I find them to keep me interested and fun. Just bookmarked this pasge!
Di Hickman
Thanks Linda! lots of other workouts to do here, plus more coming!
Jessi
I love your workouts! They always get me pumped to do it myself. I am not a gym fan so anything I can do at home is the best in my book.
Di Hickman
Saving time and money!
Marcie
My Dad is a high school PE teacher and he ALWAYS has the kids do interval workouts. I like them because there’s always something different if you don’t like what you’re currently doing.
Di Hickman
Exactly! Plus you know it’s only going to last 1 minute or so each!
robin Rue
That sounds like an awesome workout. I need to get back to working out and this sounds like a great way for me to get started back up!
Di Hickman
Do it Robin! Get busy!