Tone and Tighten With a 30-Minute Strength Program

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More training tips

Do this 20-minute routine 2–3 times per week on nonconsecutive days, keeping these tips in mind:

•Warm up by doing arm swings, shoulder circles, marches, squats, jumping jacks (leave these out if you’re postpartum), etc. for 5–10 minutes.
•When a move calls for dumbbells, select a weight (5–15 pounds) that’s heavy enough to tire your muscles within 8–15 reps. 
•Cool down by stretching your quads, butt, hamstrings, lower back, chest, and shoulders.

Once you’re good with these moves, try them in a circuit format: Do 1 set of each with no rest in between, then jump rope or do other cardio for 2–5 minutes; repeat for a second or even third set. The intervals will up your calorie burn even more.

New-mom modification: Add these moves to your routine to firm up areas that may have weakened during pregnancy or birth.