So I’m definitely a chick who loves strength training.
But I’m not like, all gnarly about it…where I’m shoving protein powder down my throat, surrounded by an unnecessary amount of weights & wearing weight lifting gloves ( you know those guys that make those super loud ‘grunts’ while they’re lifting? I can’t ).
I really feel as though a lot of girls get off to a rocky start with poor strength training, so hopefully with this post, I can shift any negative views on it? Let’s hope?
Most of my favorite strength training moves can be found in The Skinny Confidential Book. They’re all moves you can do at-home while watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ( OMG, I love Lisa V.! )…which is fab because these are no-gym-needed workouts.
Oh, & just to note: strength training is amazing for building muscles in a feminine way too. You simply lift less & use your own body resistance as opposed to 2394372974 pound weights.
Lately my favorite sexy moves have been arm focused ( totally having an arm moment ). Here are some of my go-to moves:
♡ Squat to Overhead Press
Works quadriceps, hamstrings, butt, abs, shoulders.
A. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, elbows bent, a 5-pound weight in each hand at shoulder height, palms forward. Lower into a squat (don’t let knees go past toes); hold for a moment.
B. Push through heels to stand up, pressing weights overhead. Return to starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps.
♡ Step-Up With Bicep Curl
Works quadriceps, hamstrings, butt, abs, biceps.
A. Stand with left foot on a sturdy bench or step, a 5-pound weight in each hand.
B. With weight on left foot, lift to standing on the step, right thigh raised so it’s parallel to floor; at the same time, curl weights up toward shoulders. Return to starting position. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets.
♡ Single-Leg Dumbbell Row
Works back, shoulders, biceps, abs, quadriceps, hamstrings, butt.
A. Stand holding a 5- to 10-pound weight in left hand. Hinge forward so back is flat and almost parallel to floor; rest right hand on a chair or low shelf for support. Extend left arm toward floor, palm facing in; lift straight left leg behind you, so body forms a T.
B. Slowly bend left elbow and draw weight up until elbow is even with torso; hold for a moment, then lower weight. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets.
♡ Curtsy Lunge
Works hips, butt, quadriceps, hamstrings, abs.
A. Stand with feet hip-width apart, hands on hips. Take a giant step diagonally back with left foot and cross it behind your right; bend knees (as if curtsying) as you reach your left hand toward floor on the outside of your right foot.
B. Return to starting position. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets.
♡ Superman
Works the back, butt.
Lie facedown with arms and legs extended, toes pointed, palms down. Inhale while raising arms and legs as high as you can; pause, then exhale while slowly returning to starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps.
{ workouts via }
OUTFIT OF THE DAY || #OOTD
Shoes || aviator sunglasses || nail polish
Outfit details: this little get-up is all by Missguided…as you can tell from this post I’m super excited about the launch of their new activewear line. It’s priced right, veryyy cute, & right up my alley. Also, I haven’t taken off this cross-back sports bra in days ( sorry, MIchael! ). Missguided is giving away $150 gift card to one lucky TSC reader. All you have to do is sign up below & subscribe to TSC YouTube channel. MEOW!
More easy, at-home workout moves can be found on my YouTube channel & will be avail in TSC nutrition/fitness plan.
Ok so, what’s your favorite strength training move?
– Lauryn, xx
P.S I just filmed a video tutorial on this high pony, so stayyyy tuned!
{ pics }
Love Love the Train Dirty tank!
Ok, so I am totally obsessed with planks. Thanks to yoga, I am purty good at them! I also have a love hate relationship with burpees! I am a cardio whore. This exercise is the perfect combo of strength and kickin arse cardio! <3
Soooo in love with body weight strength training! My fav is pilates and barre… They’re so fun and motivating and also feminine which is super important to me. Nothing more stressful than trying to use some 10 pounders at the gym with a meat head grunting behind you! HA!
Loving this giveaway and def ordering some gear ASAP! They’re stuff is perfffff!
xo Meg
Seriously SOO obsessed with every single outfit you’ve been wearing of theirs! I got your book for Christmas and have been loving the at home or anywhere workouts!
Awesome giveaway – such cute clothes! Hope I win 🙂
Dying over that sports bra. So dead. Love it!
lol – “shoving protein powder down my throat,” i heart you 🙂 great moves chica! i have used them from your book (which is a staple on my coffee table). thanks for the awesome tips!
cheshirekatblog.com
Awesome! And I entered the giveaway <3
Thanks for some great inspo and great workouts! Love it!
http://annlooos.blogspot.com
Cute outfit, first of all. And second of all, I try to do strength training about three times-a-week. Some of that is done when teaching BODYPUMP classes, but the other session on my own typically feature most of the moves you’ve shared above. Simple, yet functional compound movements are the best.
Loving this workout look! xx
http://modernensemble.com
I totally needed this! I miss being close to the gym and have been focusing on the treadmill, hiking, and a little yoga, bc they’re so easy to do at home, but now I really need to tone back up asap!
Love all your outfit posts lately. My favorite are those plum shoes with the cheetah print, i wish i could find those exact ones somewhere. I just entered the contest-FINALLY a giveaway that doesnt require having Facebook. I havent had a Facebook in 6 years so it always is a drag when im not able to sign up. Thanks again Lauryn for hooking up us girls daily 🙂
I love that you’re talking about strength training! I was always SO afraid to do any strength training because I didn’t want to “bulk up”. I stuck with long cardio sessions and basically plateaued. I started Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide in December and am LOVING the results I’m seeing!
I love this blog sometimes, but sometimes the things in these posts make me want to cry. 🙁
Ladies: it is a MYTH that heavy weight is bad! You will NOT get big. In fact, heavy strength training is arguably the BEST way to lean out and get “toned”. The key to looking toned is reducing body fat AND building muscle mass (no matter how lean you get, if you don’t have muscle mass, you won’t get those nice arm contours and booty curve), and the best way to do BOTH of those is to move heavy weights.
I am a waify size 00, and trust me, I have never looked more toned or more feminine than since I started throwing around some gnarly-ass weights. It does a lady-body good!
Everyone doesn’t have to love heavy lifting and everyone can and should feel free to enjoy working out in their own way, but Lauryn, PLEASE don’t perpetuate the myth that the women should strength train just by going light or do bodyweight movements. While that’s fine to do, please don’t imply that heavy weights are unfeminine or unnecessary. It’s just not true. 🙁
THIS THIS THIS. <3 The idea that lifting heavy produces bodies that aren't "feminine" is just plain untrue.
I LOVE heavy lifting, don’t get me wrong— but this post is about lighter weight lifts.
Thanks for clarifying, Lauryn! I suppose I found the wording of your post misleading–it sounds more like an either/or than a both/and approach to different types of strength training. I would hate for other people to see it that way too, but hopefully it’s just me…. 😛 🙂
Lane – cannot agree more! This post kinda made me want to cry too. Women need to know that lifting heavy is perfectly feminine, and they’re allowed to have healthy muscle mass too. I’m tiny as well, but I wear gloves (since the weights start to give me calluses) and sometimes I may grunt also *eeps*
Thank’s so much for sharing these moves, I love working out at home but it usually consists of yoga, and cardio…this will be a nice change up. And thank’s for introducing me to missguided…I totally need some new fitness wear!
Love the outfit! I need some new workout gear for some motivation!
love this new collection! My favorite move is definitely planks with some variations thrown in! Subscribed to tsc on YouTube!
Love these workout clothes!
http://www.FashionSnag.com
Thanks for the fabulous post (as always) girl! Love these moves and what an awesome giveaway! Fingers crossed!! 🙂
xo,D
http://www.204park.com
Yay! Good luck!
The best thinspiration to workout is a new workout outfit! Thanks I’m ready to go shopping now..I mean running!
http://www.anorexicescapades.com
Just shared this link with my sister in law. I really hope that she’ll win.
Love those pants! SO cute!
Sadly I haven’t been doing a lot of strength training 🙁 but thanks for the reminder! I’m excited to try some of your moves, especially the curtsy lunge haha~
Wow I am so in love with the first picture – that sports bra has the prettier strap design!
Rae | love from berlin
These are all really great workout moves!
And I am seriously loving the Missguided workout range (posted a new fitness wishlist where some items featured)
Great post!
Emily
xx
http://emilyattemptslife.blogspot.com/
subscribed and followed all! love their new workout line, plus their sexy PVC skirts rock
Thank you for this opportunity! I’m so excited for your fitness and nutritional plan!!
That tank top is so cute!!!!
Oh my gosh! Still so in love with all of these outfit pieces.
That sports bra <3
Love your posts!! I can’t get enough of your inspirational posts and ideas!! Would love to be entered to win!! XO
What’s the size of your “train dirty” tank top?
It’s a small!
Thanks for the great article! 🙂 Loved the exercises!
I really enjoyed this post. There are many really good tips
Thanks for This article!
Belo post sobre moda um dos melhores conteúdos que li sobre!
good post