Wall Pushup
Standing Turnout
Scissor Curl
Parallel Extension
Semi-Foldover
Curl
High V
Wide Second
Sculpt a Lean Body
The secret to scoring a dancer's trim and toned shape is to work your muscles less than you're used to. Yep, you read that right. Dancers practice concentrated movements that function as deep sculpting tools to create long, lean muscles. Those coveted results are what have inspired dance-infused fitness programs such as Pure Barre, the total-body workout that combines Pilates, yoga, and dance to target the body areas all women struggle with—core, hips, butt, and arms.
Stand facing a wall with your arms extended in front of you, shoulder-width apart, palms resting on the surface. Bring your legs together and rise up onto the balls of your feet (a). Bend your elbows until your chest nearly touches the wall (b). Push back to the starting position. Do this for 30 seconds. Then continue for another 30 seconds, this time using a smaller range of motion and a faster pace.
Place your hands on your support, feet in a narrow V. Extend your right leg behind you (point your toe to five o'clock), lifting your foot off the floor. Slowly lift your leg up and down by an inch for 30 seconds. Repeat, smaller and faster, for 30 seconds. Next, make small circles—as if your toe were tracing a quarter—for 30 seconds, then reverse the circles for 30 seconds. Repeat the entire sequence with your left leg (toe pointing to seven o'clock).
Lie on your back with shoulders and feet raised, right leg extended up, and hands behind knee. Slowly curl up and down by an inch for 30 seconds. Continue, smaller and faster, for 30 seconds. Next, bring your left arm up to your ear and curl for 30 seconds. Then reach your left arm toward your right ankle, curling for 30 seconds. Switch sides and repeat the sequence.
Stand next to your support, and extend your right leg in front of you, keeping your left knee slightly bent. Slowly lift and lower your raised leg by an inch for 30 seconds. Repeat, using a smaller, faster motion, for 30 seconds. Next, make small circles with your leg (as if your toe were tracing a quarter) for 30 seconds, then reverse the circles for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat the entire sequence.
Place your forearms on your support and rest your head on your arms. Lift your right leg, foot flexed, and bring your heel toward your butt. Press your heel up and down by an inch for 30 seconds. Continue, only smaller and faster, for 30 seconds. Extend your leg and slowly lift up and down by an inch for 30 seconds. Continue, smaller and faster, for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat the entire sequence.
Sit with your knees bent, holding the backs of your thighs. Round your back and lower it toward the floor, contracting your core. Slowly curl down and up by an inch for 30 seconds. Then bring one arm up next to your ear and continue curling for 30 seconds. Switch arms and repeat. Finally, bring both arms to your ears and curl up and down for 30 seconds.
Stand next to your support, feet in a narrow V. Rise onto the balls of your feet, keeping your heels glued together; bend your knees, bringing your butt down toward knee level. Slowly move down and up by an inch for 30 seconds. Repeat, smaller and faster, for another 30 seconds.
Stand next to the support, feet more than hip-width apart, toes turned out. Lower your body about six inches. Slowly move down and up by an inch for 30 seconds. Continue, smaller and faster, for 30 seconds. With knees bent, rise onto the balls of your feet, then lower your feet; continue for 30 seconds. Repeat, faster, for 30 seconds.
