When she gets to the gym, there’s no
real complaining. She gets down to business right away.
Meghan Markle's not just sweating for the wedding—she's been a fitness
junkie since way before she was slated to become an American princess.
When McNamee met Meghan
three years ago, she was "already in fantastic shape," thanks to her
avid running and yoga routine. "So it was up to me to take it to the next
level," he says. That meant supplementing her existing regimen with
circuit-based strength training—and lots of it.
Complete all exercises of this circuit in a row, resting for
45 seconds at the end. Then repeat for two to three more rounds.
Rear-Foot
Elevated Split Squat and Press
This
challenging exercise utilizes multiple muscle groups including the quads,
hamstrings, glutes, core, and shoulders.
How to: Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms in
goalpost position at shoulder height. Stand about two feet in front of a step
or bench and place the top of your right foot on it. Bend your knees to lower
into a lunge until your right knee grazes the floor, keeping your chest upright
and hips directly under your body (a). Push through your
left heel to stand, pressing the dumbbells directly overhead (b).
That's one rep. Do 10 split squats per leg, for a total of 20 reps of the
shoulder press.
Single-Leg
Kettlebell Deadlift
This exercise
will be sure to challenge your core and light up those hamstrings.
How to: From a standing position, holding the
kettlebell in front of your thigh with your right hand, shift your weight into
your left leg, and lift your right foot off the ground just behind you. Your
planted left leg should have a slight bend in the knee (a).
Push your hips back and extend your right leg straight back behind you. Your
chest will drop as you reach the lifted leg back (b). When you reach
the end of the range of motion—typified by tension in the hamstrings—reverse
the movement to return to standing. That's one rep; do 15 reps, then switch
legs and do 15 reps on the other side.
Plyo
Step Ups
This explosive
exercise is a great move to define the quads.
How to: Stand in front of a bench. Bring left
foot to the bench (a), then press all
your weight into that foot, and explode your body upward
(b). As you come back down, return safely and with control to
the bench or box. That's one rep. Do 15 per leg.
TRX
Triceps Extension
"This
version of a triceps extension will not only allow for a full stretch on those
muscles, it also increases the tension throughout your entire core," says
McNamee. "Can you say killer combo?"
How to: Grab a TRX, and attach it to a stable
anchor. Facing away from the anchor, grip one handle in each hand, and lean
your body forward until it's at a 45-degree angle. Arms should bend backward to
a 90-degree angle, elbows near ears (a). While engaging
your triceps, push your body back to a nearly upright position, and extend your
arms until they're completely straight (b). That's one rep.
Do 15.
Hanging Abs Raise
This advanced
exercise will make new use of a chin up bar and get your abs working.
How to: Grab a chinup bar, and let your legs
fully extend toward the floor. Bend elbows to 90 degrees, engaging the upper
body (a).
Using your lower abs, bring your knees up, until they're tucked
into your chest (b). That's one rep. Do 15.
Supine Glute Bridge
This one will
set your glutes on fire.
How to: Rest your body on a incline bench,
with a weight placed across your pelvis (a). With your hips a
few inches off the floor, contract your glutes and elevate your hips until
they're in line with your knees (b). Hold at the top
for a one to two second count before safely lowering. Do 20 reps. If you don’t
have access to a barbell, use a dumbbell or medicine ball.
Single-Leg
Swiss Ball Hamstring Curl
The goal is to
not lose the elevated position as you complete your reps.
How to: Lie flat on a mat with your left ankle
and heel positioned on a stability ball, hips elevated, and the right leg
extended straight up into the air, perpendicular with your mat (a).
Using your hamstring muscles, drag the stability ball toward your body, until
just the tip of your heel is resting on the ball (b). That's one rep.
Do 20 per side. To simplify, complete the curl movement with both legs on the
stability ball at the same time.
TRX
Banded Squat and Row
This
combination will allow a focus on your postural musculature, as well as
providing hip stability.
How to: Stand facing your TRX, with a mini
band wrapped around your thighs. Hang on to the TRX loops in each hand, elbows
glued to sides, and then extend arms to lower down into a squat (a).
Use your glutes, back, and inner thigh muscles to lift your body back to a
standing position, bringing arms back to sides (b). That's one rep.
Do 20.
Straight-Arm
Side Plank With Banded Hip Abduction
How to:
Wrap a mini band
around your thighs, just above your knee. Get into a forearm side plank
position, with your hand pressed into the ground, and knee lowered and bent at
90 degrees for stability (a). Elevate your top
leg against the band’s resistance (b). Each time you get
your leg parallel to the floor that counts as one rep. Do 20 on each side.
Banded
Hip Extensions
How to:
Get into a
tabletop position with a mini band looped above your knees, one leg extended
behind you (a). Lift your extended leg until it is
higher than your hips (b). Return to the
starting position. That's one rep. Do 20 per side.
V-Sit
Hold
This static
core exercise is a great finisher. It will target your upper abs, lower abs and
obliques all in one seemingly simple move. Just make sure you brace through
your core and maintain proper alignment throughout.
How to:
Begin in a
seated position with your knees bent and your feet resting lightly on the
ground as you balance on your sit bones. With your core engaged, lengthen
through your torso and recline slightly, avoiding any rounding of your back.
Extend your arms straight out in front of you, then extend your legs, creating
a V-shape with your torso and legs. Breathe comfortably throughout the move.
Hold for 30 seconds. For an added challenge, hold two to three pound weights in
each hand during the hold.
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