They're simple, but effective -- and will rev your metabolism for hours afterwards.
By Adam Campbell, Men’s Health
If you want to cut down your belly fat but don't have much time, space, or equipment, you're in luck. You can do an effective, simple workout with just a kettlebell and some space that will help to burn away your gut.
The super-effective, calorie-torching routine, designed by trainer Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., is simple. You just need to master two moves: a kettlebell swing and a squat thrust.
Unlike jogging, the kettlebell swing and squat thrust aren’t joint-pounding exercises. So this is actually a “low-impact” workout that you can do at a high intensity, making it ideal for folks with joint problems, or those who carry more weight.
The basic nature of the workout might have you wondering how exactly you'll have any chance at slimming down without more drastic measures. How can you lose fat with just two exercises? Cosgrove’s response: “Running is just one exercise, but no one questions that when it comes to burning fat.”
He makes a good point. And once you understand the philosophy behind Cosgrove’s routine, you start to see why it works so well.
Whether you’re running or lifting, your muscles require energy to help you move. And this workout forces more of your muscles into action than you’d ever use while jogging for the same duration. It’ll also boost your metabolism for hours after your workout.
The super-effective, calorie-torching routine, designed by trainer Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., is simple. You just need to master two moves: a kettlebell swing and a squat thrust.
Unlike jogging, the kettlebell swing and squat thrust aren’t joint-pounding exercises. So this is actually a “low-impact” workout that you can do at a high intensity, making it ideal for folks with joint problems, or those who carry more weight.
The basic nature of the workout might have you wondering how exactly you'll have any chance at slimming down without more drastic measures. How can you lose fat with just two exercises? Cosgrove’s response: “Running is just one exercise, but no one questions that when it comes to burning fat.”
He makes a good point. And once you understand the philosophy behind Cosgrove’s routine, you start to see why it works so well.
Whether you’re running or lifting, your muscles require energy to help you move. And this workout forces more of your muscles into action than you’d ever use while jogging for the same duration. It’ll also boost your metabolism for hours after your workout.
The Moves
1
Kettlebell (or Dumbbell) Swing
Bend at your hips and hold a kettlebell (or dumbbbell) with both hands at arm’s length in front of you. Now rock back slightly and “hike” kettlebell between your legs. Then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward forcefully, and swing the weight to shoulder height. Allow momentum to swing the weight—you’re not trying to actively lift it with your arms.
Reverse the movement, so that you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Make sure you don't round your lower back at any time; it should stay naturally arched when you bend at your hips. Continue to swing back and forth.
2
Reverse the movement, so that you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Make sure you don't round your lower back at any time; it should stay naturally arched when you bend at your hips. Continue to swing back and forth.
2
Squat Thrust
Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bending at your hips and knees, squat down and lower your body until you can place your hands on the floor. Kick your legs backward — into a pushup position — and then immediately reverse the move and quickly stand up from the squat. That’s 1 rep.
To make the exercise even more challenging, you can jump up from the squat instead of simply standing up quickly.
To make the exercise even more challenging, you can jump up from the squat instead of simply standing up quickly.
The Workout
Here’s how it works: You do 15 repetitions of the kettlebell swing (you can also use a dumbbell for this in a pinch), followed immediately by 15 reps of the squat thrust. Without resting, do 14 reps of the swing and then 14 reps of the squat thrust. Continue this pattern until you complete only one rep of each exercise. This is called a countdown workout.
Sure, that’s just two exercises, but do the math: If you complete the entire routine — from 15 down to 1 — you'll do 120 repetitions of each exercise. That’s 240 repetitions, total. And these aren’t just any exercises: They’re movements that challenge your entire body.
They’re also done at a fast pace. On average, it’ll only take you about three seconds per rep. So you’ll do those 240 reps in just 12 minutes or so. That’ll light your muscles on fire, and have you gasping for air (in a good way).
If you think that sounds too easy or too fast, go ahead and give it a shot. You may find you can’t even finish. But that’s okay — you can just start with a lower number of reps, like eight, and work your way up as you improve your fitness. If you're on the other end of the spectrum and you want an even greater challenge, you can always take a breather and repeat the routine.
Just remember that you should work up to your capabilities. If your form breaks down during the routine, just stop there. Then next time, adjust your starting point so that you can work all the way down to one without having to stop. As you become better conditioned, start with a higher number.
Another important note: This isn’t a complete workout program, but it is a great routine that you can do almost anywhere, anytime. And it’s a fantastic substitute for 15 minutes on the treadmill.
See more at: Men’s Health
Sure, that’s just two exercises, but do the math: If you complete the entire routine — from 15 down to 1 — you'll do 120 repetitions of each exercise. That’s 240 repetitions, total. And these aren’t just any exercises: They’re movements that challenge your entire body.
They’re also done at a fast pace. On average, it’ll only take you about three seconds per rep. So you’ll do those 240 reps in just 12 minutes or so. That’ll light your muscles on fire, and have you gasping for air (in a good way).
If you think that sounds too easy or too fast, go ahead and give it a shot. You may find you can’t even finish. But that’s okay — you can just start with a lower number of reps, like eight, and work your way up as you improve your fitness. If you're on the other end of the spectrum and you want an even greater challenge, you can always take a breather and repeat the routine.
Just remember that you should work up to your capabilities. If your form breaks down during the routine, just stop there. Then next time, adjust your starting point so that you can work all the way down to one without having to stop. As you become better conditioned, start with a higher number.
Another important note: This isn’t a complete workout program, but it is a great routine that you can do almost anywhere, anytime. And it’s a fantastic substitute for 15 minutes on the treadmill.
See more at: Men’s Health
