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( 1/17/2010 ) THE Circuit Routine |
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To create The Spartacus Workout, we chose 10 exercises that collectively work every part of your body. Then we made each exercise a 60-second station so you can challenge your heart and lungs as well as your muscles. The final product is a high-intensity circuit designed to torch fat, define your chest, abs, and arms, and send your fitness level soaring. You'll sculpt a lean, athletic-looking body—and be in the best shape of your life. Stay that way by following these 20 ways to stick to your workout. Directions: Do this circuit three days a week. Perform one set of each exercise (or "station") in succession. Each station lasts 60 seconds. Do as many reps as you can (with perfect form) in that time, and then move on to the next station. Give yourself 15 seconds to move between stations, and rest for two minutes after you've completed one circuit of all 10 exercises. Then repeat twice. If you can't go the entire minute, rest a few seconds and then resume until your time at that station is up. Use a weight that's challenging for 15 to 20 reps.
Station 1: Goblet squat With both hands, grab one end of a dumbbell to hold it vertically in front of your chest, and stand with your feet slightly beyond shoulder width [A]. Keeping your back naturally arched, push your hips back, bend your knees, and lower your body until the tops of your thighs are at least parallel to the floor [B]. Pause, and push yourself up to the starting
Station 2: Mountain climber Assume a pushup
Station 3: Single-arm dumbbell swing Hold a dumbbell (or a kettlebell) at arm's length in front of your waist, and stand with your feet beyond shoulder width. Without rounding your lower back, bend at your hips and knees and swing the dumbbell between your legs [A]. Keeping your arm straight, thrust your hips forward and swing the dumbbell to shoulder level as you rise to a standing position [B]. Swing the weight back and forth. At the 30-second mark, switch arms.
Station 4: T-pushup Grab a pair of hex
Station 5: Split jump Stand in a staggered stance with your feet two to three feet apart, your right foot in front of your left. Keeping your torso upright, bend your legs and lower your body into a lunge [A]. Now jump with enough force to propel both feet off the floor [B]. While you're in the air, scissor-kick your legs so you land with your left leg forward. Repeat, alternating your forward leg for the duration of the set. Discover five more ways to add strength without lifting a weight.
Station 6: Dumbbell row Grab a pair of dumbbells, bend at your hips (don't round your lower back), and lower your torso until it's nearly parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang at arm's length [A]. Without moving your torso, row the weights upward by raising your upper arms, bending your elbows, and squeezing your shoulder blades together [B]. Pause, lower the dumbbells, and repeat.
Station 7: Dumbbell side lunge and touch Hold a pair of dumbbells at arm's length at your sides [A]. Take a big step to your left and lower your body by pushing your hips backward and bending your left knee. As you lower your body, bend forward at your hips and touch the dumbbells to the floor [B]. Repeat for 30 seconds, and then switch to your right leg. If the exercise is too hard, do the move without the dumbbells; just reach for the floor with your hands.
Station 8: Pushup-position row Grab a pair of hex dumbbells and assume a pushup position, your arms straight [A]. Keeping your core stiff, row the dumbbell in your right hand to the side of your chest, bending your arm as you pull it upward [B]. Pause, and then quickly lower the dumbbell. Repeat with your left arm. And be sure you avoid these seven muscle-building mistakes.
Station 9: Dumbbell lunge and rotation Grab a dumbbell and hold it horizontally by its ends, just under your chin [A]. Step forward with your right foot and lower your body into a lunge. As you lunge, rotate your upper body to the right [B]. Return to the starting position, and repeat with your left leg. Alternate left and right until your 60 seconds are up. If the exercise is too hard, perform the movement without the dumbbell.
Station 10: Dumbbell push press Stand holding a pair of dumbbells just outside your shoulders, with your arms bent and palms facing each other. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent [A]. Dip your knees [B], and then explosively push up with your legs as you press the weights straight over your shoulders [C]. Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position and repeat. Sign up for the Spartacus Challenge to transform your body into a lean, ripped, muscular physique. Provided by Men's Health |












