This 31-day body-weight workout challenge will inspire you to move more, no matter your starting point. Get all the details here.
If you find yourself stuck doing the same squats, push-ups and lunges workout after workout, it's time to switch things up. While there's nothing wrong with these exercises, it's important to move your body side to side and strengthen the back of your body — two components often neglected in fitness routines.
"Most people just need to move more, use their muscles more and sweat a little bit to feel their best," says Morit Summers, CPT, creator of Brooklyn-based training studio Form Fitness and host of our New Year, Do You Challenge. "Many people feel tightness, but it's likely because many of our muscles just need to be used [in a different way]."
She created this workout to make sure you're not forgetting any of your muscles or movement patterns. It builds on this foundational body-weight workout for beginners and incorporates some moves you may not have done before (or tend to do less often).
If you're doing the challenge, follow the weekly rep scheme below. If you're doing this workout on your own, increase or decrease the reps and sets based on your fitness level. You should be able to do all the reps with good form, but the last two should feel challenging.
In between sets and exercises, rest for 20 to 40 seconds. You won't feel fully rested (like you were before your workout) but you should feel ready to tackle the next set.
Reps and Sets Per Exercise
Sets | Reverse Lunge | Superman | Lateral Lunge | Crab Bridge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | 2 | 8/side | 10 | 8/side | 6 |
Week 2 | 3 | 8/side | 10 | 8/side | 6 |
Week 3 | 3 | 10/side | 12 | 10/side | 8 |
Week 4 | 4 | 10/side | 10 | 10/side | 8 |
4 Intermediate Moves for a Full-Body Workout
The New Year, Do You Challenge is accessible to all fitness levels. That's why we're providing a main move and at least one modification or variation.
In the videos below, you'll see Summers (left) demonstrating the more challenging version of the move and her fellow trainer Keri Harvey, CPT, (right) demonstrating a less challenging or modified version. Some exercises have even more options for upping the difficulty level. Choose the version of the exercise that works best for you.
1. Alternating Reverse Lunge
- As Summers demonstrates on the left, stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Your arms can be at your sides, on your hips or clasped in front of you.
- Step your right leg about 3 feet behind you and lower down, bending your knees until they form 90-degree angles. Your right knee should hover an inch above the ground and your left thigh should be parallel to the ground.
- Keep most of your weight in your left leg as you press into your left heel to straighten your left leg and stand.
- Bring your right leg back to the starting position.
- Repeat, stepping back with the left leg. Continue alternating legs.
Modifications and Variations
To modify, stay on the same leg, rather than switching (shown in the video on the right). Do all your reps on one leg, then do all your reps on the other leg.
Alternatively, don't step backward with each rep. Stay in the split stance with your feet separated as you lower down and press up, only going as low as is comfortable for you.
2. Superman
- As Summers demonstrates on the right, lie on your stomach with your legs and arms extended. Your feet should be about hip-width apart and your biceps should be alongside your ears.
- Squeeze your glutes and engage your back to raise your legs and torso off the floor.
- Keep your legs straight and reach your fingertips away from you.
- Hold at the top of the exercise for a count.
- Lower back down with control.
Modifications and Variations
To modify, keep your head resting on folded arms and lift just your legs (shown in the video on right).
For more of a challenge, pull your hands down to your shoulders, then press them back overhead before lowering your body to the ground.
3. Lateral Lunge
- From standing, root your left foot into the ground and step your right foot out to the side (shown on the right).
- Bend your right knee, keeping it in line with your right foot, and push your hips back. You can have your hands on your hips or hanging on either side of your bent leg.
- Press through your right foot to return to standing.
- Complete all your reps on one side before switching legs.
Modifications and Variations
Add a knee lift at the end to make this move harder. Contract your lower abs at the top as you balance on one foot (shown in the video on the left).
4. Crab Bridge
- Following Harvey (right), sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Plant your palms on the sides of your hips.
- Press your hands and heels into the ground and lift your hips up into a reverse tabletop position, squeezing your glutes. Keep your spine neutral.
- Keeping your feet and palms planted, drop your hips toward the ground.
Modifications and Variations
For a variation, add a reach at the top of every bridge (shown in the video on the left). When you press all the way up, reach one hand over your head as you look toward the ceiling. Alternate arms with each rep.
Follow Along With the Challenge
Use the calendar below to help you stay on track with the New Year, Do You Challenge. Do the workout listed, then check off each day as you complete it. (Get a printer-friendly version here.)
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