These eight moves will ignite your body's fat-burning power and leave you trim and toned.
Do 2 to 3 sets of each move three nonconsecutive days a week. Increase the calorie burn by limiting rest to 30 seconds (or less!) between sets and exercises.
Half-Seated Leg Circle
Sit on the floor with your legs fully extended, leaning back on your elbows, your fingers cupping the sides of your hips (a). Keeping your lower back pressed into the floor, engage your core and lift your legs about 45 degrees. Point your toes, press your thighs together, and trace 12 large clockwise circles (b), then 12 counterclockwise circles.
Alternate-Leg Dead Lift
Hold a 5- to 15-pound dumbbell in each hand and stand on your right leg, lifting your left leg a few inches behind you (a). Keeping your back straight, lean forward from your hips until your body is almost parallel to the floor, the weights in line with your shoulders (b). Return to start. That's 1 rep. Do 12, then switch legs.
Lateral Shuffle
Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and turned out 45 degrees. Bend into a squat with your knees over your ankles (a). From that position, step out with your left foot, keeping your knees bent in the squat position (b). Take a step with your right foot to return to start. Continue walking sideways, taking 10 steps to the right and then 10 to the left.
Good Morning Bend
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a pair of 5- to 15-pound dumbbells at your shoulders, palms facing forward (a). Keeping your knees slightly bent and your torso straight, slowly bend from your hips until your upper body is parallel to the floor (b). Hold for 5 seconds and return to start. That's 1 rep; do 8 to 10.
Stability Lunge
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Lift your right knee until your thigh is parallel to the floor and raise your arms overhead, palms facing in (a). Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly drop your right foot into a front lunge (b). Bring your left leg forward and return to standing. That's 1 rep. Do 10 to 12 on each leg, alternating sides.
Single-leg Plank
Get on the floor and prop yourself up with your toes flexed underneath you and your elbows under your shoulders, shoulder blades back and down (a). Your body should form a straight line. Brace your abs and lift your right leg up about 10 inches (b). Balance your body weight on your forearms and the stabilizing leg. Hold for up to 60 seconds. Switch legs and repeat on the other side.
Skater's Step-up
Hold a pair of 5- to 15-pound dumbbells at hip level and stand facing a step with your right foot planted on the step. Leaning your chest forward slightly, lunge backward with your left leg, bending your right knee 90 degrees (a). From that position, bring your left foot up to meet the right on the step; squat and hold for 2 seconds (b). Stand and return to start. That's 1 rep. Repeat with the other leg; do 10 to 12 reps on each leg.
Prone Hip Extension
Lie facedown over a bench or padded stool with your legs hanging off the edge (a). Engage your abs and lift both legs until your body forms a straight line (b). Hold for 5 seconds, then lower slowly. That's 1 rep; do 10 to 15.
