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Does anyone else wish that Pinterest could be transformed from a time-sucking social media habit into a virtual grocery store? Like, I’ll have those abs, and yep, throw those shoes in the cart since I’m here. And what the heck? I’ll take that adorable puppy while I’m at it, please and thank you!
Yes, a Pinterest minute equals 30 real-life minutes, and I am here to write a post that might justify the truly ridiculous amount of time that I spend on the site (ok, ok, maybe not justify, but put it to good use!). Through much scouring of thinspiration, and links to workout tips that’ll get you “Adrianna Lima abs in 10 minutes!,” I have come to the sad realization that there are a truly remarkable amount of scams on the internet when it comes to dieting and working out. And as your resident Health and Fitness Editor, and also a cheese addict who is prone to gaining weight in my thighs, I have done some serious first-hand research for you all to separate the MVP workouts from the rest. After a year, (whoa, can’t believe I’ve been writing here for a whole year!) I have tried a truly crazy amount of new ways to burn calories, and am using those experience to bring definitive list of superlatives to skip the BS when it comes to fitness. If you’re time-crunched, know what you want to achieve, but aren’t quite sure about how to get there, this list is for you.
Read on for the absolute, most butt-kicking, ab-toning, and heart-pounding workouts below:
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Best Workout In The Shortest Amount Of Time:
Hardpressed focuses on high intensity strength training, and pairs you with a personal trainer who is an expert of transforming bodies of all shapes. You will get your butt absolutely kicked for a half hour, where your coach will focus on each muscle group while ensuring you’re doing each exercise correctly and optimizing the results of your workout.
And calling these guys personal trainers is doing them a serious injustice. They are so knowledgable about these workouts, they were able to look at me for less than 30 seconds and know exactly the amount of weight I was able to max out on for each exercise. It was one of the most challenging, rewarding and hands down the quickest workout I’ve done maybe ever.
Thinking about splurging on a new gym membership in the new year? As a fellow busy lady, this is one I’d give a hearty consideration if you’re looking to transform your body in the new year.
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Best Arm Workout:
I wrote about this workout in detail here, but if you’re anything like me, and get nauseated at the thought of doing 12 pushups consecutively, but crave tone triceps and biceps, this is your workout. It’s unique in that it draws elements from yoga and because of the hanging fabric, each and every move emphasizes arm strength, even when your focusing stretching and strengthening other body parts. If you’re trying to improve flexibility, gain lean muscle, and up your arm strength, this workout is the one for you.
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Best Back Workout:
Equinox Ropes and Row Class
I feel like I’m downplaying this workout by classifying it as the “best back” class because it will make your entire body sore, including muscles you weren’t sure even existed. This is also an interval focussed class with various stations to optimize the benefits of cardio and strength training to give you a total body makeover.
Also, Equinox gyms are some of the best in the country, offer a crazy amount of other challenging classes, as well a great support community for all of your athletic endeavors.
Best Core Workout In A Time Crunch:
CosmoBody
Here’s another must-try for all of you in a time crunch: CosmoBody, a subscription-based at-home fitness app that offers a crazy variety of workouts. I tried the beginners barre class, as well as the ab class, and was waddling like a penguin an embarrassing amount of days after. I immediately felt the difference in my core- it was body-transforming. The best part of this fitness craze is that you can do it completely on your own time, and get your butt kicked in the comfort of your own home. What’s not to love?
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Best Leg and Cardio Workout:
Flywheel Sports
Think spinning, but on steroids, and then add a little core and arm strengthening in there, and that might give you just peak into the cult that is Flywheel. And yes, I’m calling it a cult because it’s both an addicting workout, and you have to be kind of crazy (in the best possible way) to want to do Flywheel regularly. While you’re on a bike similar to a regular spin class, they provide you shoes, and lock you in to get the total cycling experience as the instructor leads you through various obstacles. Flywheel takes it one step further though when they combine all of the bikes in the stadium and hook the stats up to a monitor- you’re competing against the room, and more importantly, yourself to make it one of the hardest, and most rewarding workouts you’ll ever try.
P.S.- Sorry for photos, but trust me, you don’t want to see pictures of me post workout:/
