Strength Moves to Burn Fat

These strength circuits are built around Jorge Cruise’s 12-second strength-training method of superslow lifting and holding. For each move, do 4 reps without resting, using a weight that will leave you fatigued by your final rep.

Sit on a mat with your knees bent and feet together. Keeping your abs tight, lean back slightly and extend your arms away from your chest and to the right with palms pressed together. Slowly rotate torso as far as possible to the left through a count of 10 seconds. Hold the position for 2 seconds, then rotate back to the right through a count of 10.

Strengthens back

Holding a pair of dumbbells, with your arms extended and palms facing backward, stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Bend at the waist, as if tying your shoes. Raise your head and chest to create a slight arch in your back. Then, pull the dumbbells up and back in a slow, fluid rowing motion through a count of 10, keeping elbows close to body. Hold and squeeze shoulder blades together for 2 seconds. Lower the weights to starting position through a 10 count.

Tones thighs and butt

Holding 1 dumbbell in both hands, stand with your feet about twice as wide apart as shoulder-width and your toes turned out to the sides. Squat as if sitting in a chair, taking 10 seconds to lower yourself (don’t let your knees go past your toes). Hold for 2 seconds, then push through your heels to return to the starting position through a count of 10.

Strengthens chest

Prop yourself with your hands on a bench or stair so that your upper body is higher than your feet. Keeping your head up, your back straight, and your abs pulled in, lower yourself as far as you can through a count of 10 seconds. Hold for 2 seconds, then return to starting position through a 10 count.

(Repeat Circuit 1 moves three times)

Strengthens biceps

Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and arms by your sides with palms facing in. Curl the weights up through a count of 10 seconds, keeping your palms facing each other. Hold and squeeze your biceps for 2 seconds. Then, lower the dumbbells to starting position through a count of 10.

Tones triceps

Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair or workout bench with your hands behind you and fingers pointed forward, grasping the front edge of the chair. Flex your feet so that your weight is on your heels and slide away from the chair. Keeping your back straight, lower yourself through a count of 10 seconds. Hold for 2 seconds, then push yourself back up to starting position through a count of 10.

Strengthens and sculpts shoulders

Holding a set of dumbbells, stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and elbows bent and in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Keep your forearms against the front of your body as you raise your elbows out and up through a count of 10. (Your neck and shoulders should be relaxed.) Hold and squeeze your triceps for 2 seconds, then return to starting position through a count of 10.

Strengthens and tones abs

Sit on a mat with your elbows bent, hands on the mat behind you, and fingertips pointed toward your body. Keeping your knees together, extend your legs and lift your heels about 2 inches off the mat. Leaning back on your palms just slightly, pull knees into your chest for a count of 10. Hold for 2 seconds, then return to legs-extended position through a count of 10, keeping your abs tight.

(Repeat Circuit 2 moves three times)