Tighten + Tone Tuesday 10-minute Workout with Special Guest and CABARRET Creatrix Nicole LaBonde!

Happy Tighten+Tone Tuesday! Last week I shared a 10-minute do-anywhere circuit style workout that I prepared for Jennifer at Yonder Tours for my travel-loving fitness fans.  This week, I have the pleasure of sharing another 10-minute workout that travels well.  Please welcome Nicole LaBonde, Creatrix of CABARRET who has shared her Barre Fitness Workout with us below:

Here is a 10 minute, Thigh-Toning, Booty-Blasting workout from CABARRET Barre and Dance Fitness!:

There is a reason ballerinas have done the same barre exercises for 100s of years-- they work! Barre is a high resistance workout- you control your body, while working your muscles to the point of fatigue, especially your legs, glutes, and upper arms!

CABARRET class includes specific barre exercises, done with resistance, for every woman's favorite targets: abs, booty, legs (especially thighs), and arms. Barre exercises also strengthen the feet and back (high heel pain, anyone?). Barre exercises strengthen core muscles and tone and tighten your legs, especially thighs and glutes, using resistance. Work at the barre translates to long, toned legs, a tight booty, a sexy stomach!

About CABARRET Creatrix Nicole LaBonde: Nicole LaBonde wants to live in a world where all women are confident with their voices, bodies and lives. As a multi-preneur, she’s been featured in Business Heroine, Philadelphia Magazine’s BeWell Blog, and multiple blogs and ebooks on Health and Fitness topics. Currently, Nicole is applying her vast experience in these fields into a new passion, her work as a mind and body transformation coach. Her clients have found success in: weight loss, increased energy, public speaking confidence, social media marketing and more. Find out how to work with Nicole at www.nicolelabonde.com.

Tighten + Tone Tuesday

 

Happy Tighten + Tone Tuesday! A few weeks back we taught you how to do a forward lunge.Today we're going to help you make that move more challenging by adding a twist, literally!  This Tighten + Tone Tuesday we're reviewing your form for the Walking Lunge with a Medicine Ball Twist.  Find a medicine ball or other weight (you may even be able to use your purse) to join in.  We love this exercise because it includes the lunge, one of the best ways to tone your legs.  The twist and walk increase the difficulty of the exercise and add a core challenge so you can be an exercising multitasker. 

Find a mirror and check your form with us: 

Step 1:  Grab a medicine ball and stand up straight and tall with your abdominal muscles engaged.

Step 2:  Take a big step forward with one leg -we'll say your right leg so we're on the same page.   Land so that your right knee is in line with your right ankle and your leg is about parallel to the ground.  Keep all of your weight in your right heel.

Step 3:  With your abs contracted, slowly rotate your torso and the medicine ball toward your left so that the ball and your right arm are about perpendicular to your body.

Step 4: Keeping your weight in your right heel, carefully twist your torso and the medicine ball back towards the center as you lift your left leg.

Step 5:  Step forward with your left leg into a lunge position and repeat the process on this side.

Continue lunging across the room and twisting with the medicine ball as you walk.  Try to complete 10 steps (5 one each side) and then turn around before taking a break.  Feel free to change the number of steps you take based on the space you have available.  

 Here is a visual for you: 

Source

Have you tried a this exercise before? Let us know what you think with a comment below.  If you haven't perfected your forward lunge yet, check your form with the tips with our previous post.

Tigthen + Tone Tuesday

Happy Tighten + Tone Tuesday! Today's exercise is the forward lunge.  The lunge is a must-do exercise if you want to tone your legs.  Below we walk you through the steps to a perfect lunge.  Read through the checklist and let us know if you have any questions!

Get ready: Stand up straight and tall with your feet shoulder-width apart.  Engage (tighten) your abs.

Get set: Carefully lift one foot off the floor and find your balance on your standing leg. Once you have found your balance, step forward and land on your heel. 

Go lunge: Slowly shift your body weight towards the heel of the leg you have stepped forward onto and focus on a downward movement of your hips to the floor (NOT forward).  Continue to lower your body until your front thigh is parallel with the floor.  If this is uncomfortable, just lower to your comfort level! Your back should be straight. Your front knee should be in line with your front ankle and should NOT go past your front toes.

Finish:  Return to start by pushing off the front leg.  You thigh and butt muscles should contract to help bring you back to your standing position.

Repeat a set of 10-15 on this leg and then switch legs.


Here is your visual:



Ready for a challenge? To increase the difficulty level, hold weights at your side.  Feeling unstable? To decrease the difficulty level, don't lower yourself as far to the ground.

Did you lunge it out today?  Let us know what you think of this must-do exercise by posting a comment below: