Workout Like an Olympian

Are you feeling inspired by the Olympics? We are! Here are two Olympic inspired exercises that you can add to your workouts, created by fitness expert and mommy-to-be, Sara Haley. Both combine cardio and resistance training (with a special focus on the butt, legs, and core) to leave you feeling pumped up — just like our US athletes!

SKI Cardio Montage:  This drill simulates telemark and downhill skiing.

1)  Begin in a lunge with the back foot lifted in a telemark position.

2) Jump up (or modify by stepping like Sara) and switch the feet and land in a lunge so you are skiing with the opposite leg in front.

3) Slalom by jumping (or modify by quickly stepping like Sara) feet together and over to the right sitting into the right hip.  Work to keep heels on the floor and knees and feet together; counterbalance with your arms.

4) Jump (or modify by quickly stepping like Sara) to the other side.  Repeat sequence for 60 seconds.

SNOWBOARD Booty Burn:

1) In an exaggerated snowboard stance sit into a squat with hands out in front of you or on your hips for balance.

2) Shift your weight into right leg, picking up right heel into a Side Slip & hold for 8.

3) Place heel down & glide by tapping left foot back behind the right foot and back out to the side 8 times.

The best way to increase the intensity of body weight exercises (meaning exercises with no equipment) is to either make your movements bigger or faster. For instance, in the exercises provided, you could keep your movements a little smaller and work for speed or you could make them a little bit bigger and add more power, whether that means jumping higher or farther, or even just moving deeper into your lunges (for those of you wanting to keep it low impact).

Has watching the Olympics inspired you to take-up a new sport or hobby, or simply workout more often? Tell us in the comments!

Sara Haley is an international fitness expert and creator of The Daily Sweat. She’s a certified trainer and instructor by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and has traveled the world teaching master classes and educating other fitness instructors and trainers. Sara helped develop programs for JUKARI, the branded workout series between Reebok and Cirque du Soleil, and created and starred in numerous Reebok & Gaiam DVD workout programs. Sara is most well-known for her best-selling pregnancy workout program, Expecting More®. 

This post is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for health advice. Before undertaking any course of exercise, you should seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider.