abs – GRIT By Brit

Complete Core Workout – 30 minutes of abs, lower back & oblique exercises

January 21, 2015 No Comments

Hello friends! Happy Workout Wednesday! I’m still on cloud 9 and in a bit of whirlwind as we continue holding classes during our grand opening week of my new studio, Dallas GRIT Fitness. AHHHH it’s so exciting. We packed the house again last night for our “Eat Clean Train Dirty” event in partnership with Megan Lyons, creator of the The Lyons’ Share Wellness . Our classes were FIERCE and sweat puddles were everywhere (just how we like it).

Me and my class doing some serious core work on Monday, 1/19/15 during my very first PiYo class taught at my new studio, Dallas GRIT Fitness! Photo by Fagin007 Photography

We got great feedback on the core exercise sequences in the workouts so far, so I wanted to aggregate them into 1 complete core workout just for GRIT by Brit readers. Here is goes…

GRIT by Brit Complete Core Workout

Duration: 30 minutes

Equipment: Mat or soft floor surface + one medium dumbbell or medicine ball (6-8 pounds)

Instructions: Complete each of the following exercise for 60 seconds continuously. Once complete, rest for 2 minutes, then repeat.

In plank position

Straight arm plank alternating knee pulls, pull opposite knee up to opposite elbow
Straight arm plank knee taps to the floor, keeping the spine neutral and core engages, continuously drop the knees to tap the floor and return to starting position,
Straight arm plank mountain climbers, pull knees up to chest alternating as fast as possible
Straight arm plank jacks, keeping the core engaged jump feet apart and back together
Forearm plank hip raises, lower to your forearms and raise hips up to dolphin pose them back down to plank
Forearm side plank alternating sides, open up to a forearm side plank, come back to center, then open up to the other side

Lying on back w/ knees bent and heels on the ground

Bicycle crunches, hands behind your head, alternate reaching you opposite knee towards opposite elbow
Alternating heel touches, reach for each heel alternating sides, work the obliques
Row the boat, sit up at a 45 degree angle, holding the weight with both hands, Russian twist side to side
Crunches pulses, holding your weight straight up towards the ceiling, crunch up and pulse for 3 reps, lower, repeat

Lying on back w/ legs straight up in 90 degree angle

Climb the rope, reach each hand up towards your opposite foot alternating continuously
Toe touches, holding your weight or medicine balls, reach up try tap your toes
Leg raises and lowers, place hands under your booty and lower your legs 6 inches above the ground then raise back up to 90 degrees
Scissor kicks, keep hands under booty and keep legs super straight, alternating lowering one leg 6 inches above the ground while keeping the other at 90 degrees, switching back and forth
Knee tucks with leg extensions, keep hands under booty and pull knees into chest then extend forward so that legs are 6 inches above the ground, repeat

Let me know how it goes! Post a comment if you have questions about any of the moves. Lots of luv, Brit

Abs

Washboard Abs Workout

November 12, 2014 1 Comment

Image: Showing off my “washboard abs” during a styling session at Lorna Jane (love this outfit BTW – I wear it to teach cycling all the time)

Hey hey – happy Workout Wednesday! As promised, here is your workout of the week – Washboard Abs. I’m getting floors installed at my studio, Dallas Grit Fitness, today . Yay! This is the last major renovation milestone before I can start decorating and, ultimately, teaching classes. I’ll be hanging out at the studio all day, so I plan to knock out this ab workout while “overseeing” contractors. Should be good fun.

It’s been a while since I posted an ab workout, so today I’m bringing you my most comprehensive, complete, core exercise routine. During this workout you will engage your abdominals in 3 different positions: 1) Standing Up 2) On you hands and toes in the plank position 3) In the traditional position, on your back. This helps ensure we work the complete core for washboard abs!

Warning: This workout takes about 25 minutes to complete. You can’t rush through it. BUT, I promise you will feel the burn. For best results, do this workout 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks along with rigorous cardio workouts.

Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes. If you have any questions about the exercises below, just post a comment and I can explain. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Love, Brit

Abs

Complete Core + Cardio Workout

September 10, 2014 No Comments

Hello friends. It’s been a crazy work week for me here in Chicago. During high-stress times like these it’s so important to keep up with my workouts or else I feel super groggy. This morning I did this Core + Cardio Workout in my hotel gym. It got me a good sweat so I wanted to share 😉 The entire workout takes about 30-35 minutes. If you don’t like the stationary bike, feel free to hop on the elliptical or treadmill instead.

I’m jetting off to NYC tonight for a conference – hoping to sneak in a ride at Soul Cycle while I’m there. Also, can’t wait to see the Dallas crew this Saturday at my PiYo class at the W Dallas Hotel!

Let me know how you like the workout! Lots of luv, Brit

Abs, Home Workouts

Lose the Pooch: New Workout to Sculpt Lower Abs

February 18, 2014 No Comments

Alright, you guys asked for it so here it is, another Lose the Pooch Workout. In case you missed the last one, you can CLICK HERE check it out. Now, before I get started, you should know that the abs, or rectus abdominus, is actually all ONE muscle group that forms an “8-pack.” So you can’t really work your lower abs without working your upper abs (and vise versa).

However, there are some exercises that really target the lower region of the abdominals. I selected a few of my favorites and effectively sequenced them to create the GRIT by Brit Lose the Pooch Workout. For best results, complete this workout 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks. Also, be sure monitor your diet by avoiding foods and habits that cause bloating (i.e. too much sodium and lack of water consumption).

Tighten that Tummy! xoxo, Brit

Instructional Photos

Boat Pose

Single Leg Lowers

Plank Knee Pulls w/ Toe Slide

Plank knee tuck with toes slide - place a towel under your toes and do these on a smooth, hard floor. — Plank knee tuck with toes slide – place a towel under your toes and do these on a smooth, hard floor.

Hanging Knee Pulls

Hanging Knee Raise - You can straighten you leg for fully extended leg raises to increase intensity (Source: Women's Health Magazine) — Hanging Knee Raise – You can straighten you leg for fully extended leg raises to increase intensity
(Source: Women’s Health Magazine)

Abs

Your Flat Tummy Plan: 3 Days 3 Killer Core Workouts

February 6, 2014 No Comments

#TBT Enjoying warm weather in Martha's Vineyard last year with my "Fit Friend" Brittany - 2 Brit's in 2 Bikinis ;) — #TBT Enjoying warm weather in Martha’s Vineyard last year with my “Fit Friend” Brittany – 2 Brit’s in 2 Bikinis 😉

Hey Gang! While it’s FREEZING outside, I can see the little light at the end of the tunnel that is Spring Break. Despite being 29 years old and not having a true Spring Break, I like to still prepare my bikini body – hehe. That said, I’ve been digging through my workout repository and have pulled my 3 fiercest, most effective AB workouts…

Now, the plan is to do 1 workout every other day for the next 6 days. So do 1 workout, rest/do cardio, do the other workout, rest/do cardio…and so on. Got it? The idea is to give your abs and core one day of rest in between workouts so your muscles can repair and gain strength. Overworking your abs without adequate rest prevents you from gaining the full benefits of the workout. Alright… let’s do this!

Grit by Brit AB Workout #1:

ABS for Days Vol. 2

CLICK HERE for full instructions & photos

Grit by Brit AB Workout #2:

Tight Tummy, Sexy Stomach, Cut Core

CLICK HERE for full instructions & photos

Grit by Brit AB Workout #3:

Six Pack by Summer

CLICK HERE for full instructions & photos

Enjoy your Spring Break Abs ! (cliche’ I know – hehe)

Peace out, Brit

Abs, Home Workouts

5 Minute Ab Workout – Vol. 2

October 6, 2013 No Comments

As promised, here’s another 5 minute ab/core workout for you to enjoy. In case you missed my 5 minute Abs Vol. 1, you can CLICK HERE to check it out. Feel free to do the workout on your own or with me in real time via my YouTube video below. Lots of luv, Brit

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hFndoy23OY&w=420&h=315]

Abs, Home Workouts

5 Minute Abs Vol. 1 – Complete Killer Workout Video for your Core

September 23, 2013 7 Comments

Hey Gang! I just designed (and tested) this ab workout. It’s super effective, only 5 minutes and works ALL of your core muscles. You can simply follow the instructions or work out with me in real-time via my heart-felt video below. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for lots of super fun and super gritty home workouts. Hope you like!

Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc6WVP2o4_g&w=420&h=315]

5 Minute Abs

Abs, Home Workouts

Eliminate the Love Handles

June 9, 2013 No Comments

Hey hey ladies and gents! Hope you had a FABULOUS weekend! One of my best best friends from London came to visit me in Dallas this weekend. We had a great time dining, laying by the pool and catching up on life. This Friday we’ll be heading to Greece for our much awaiting summer vacation – eek!

As last-minute prep for our beach bodies, I designed this ab workout to focus primarily on the love handles (yes…that little layer of fat that sits so nicely on my side above my low-rise pants). The workout incorporates some techniques that I use in my PiYo Strength (Pilates/Yoga fusion classes). BTW, if you live in Dallas, you better come join me for PiYo on the deck every Saturday – it’s free and we have the best view in Dallas at the W Hotel 16th floor wet deck!

My “Eliminate the love handles” workout only takes 8 minutes – try it out and let me know what you think! Trust me, you will be sore tomorrow 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY8Yp__RrTk]

Abs

Cardio + Abs = Six Pack by Summer: Free 10 Minute Workout Video!

April 9, 2013 No Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD-j-uHj5V4]

Hey hey! Here’s a new workout video I made last weekend. It is intense! If you want a 10 minute cardio and abs workout, search no more. Expect to burn ~200 calories and for your abs to be on FIRE! Below is the description of the the workout in case you want to do it on your own without watching the YouTube video. Hope you like and hope you SWEAT!

Lots of luv, Brit 🙂

Abs

Melt the Muffin Top: Complete workout for your CORE

March 27, 2013 6 Comments

Alright y’all. Summer time is quickly approaching. While I’ve learned to love my “love handles” and opt for high-waist pants rather than low-rise ones, I still feel a need to address the much dreaded “muffin top.” Now, we all come in different shapes and sizes and we should embrace our natural curves. However, excess belly fat and fat storage around the hips is neither HEALTHY nor SEXY. Belly fat, which is called visceral or intra-abdominal fat, is linked to high cholesterol, high insulin, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and other health problems. You can click here to read up on more health risks of excess belly fat.

Below is a workout I designed that will strengthen your core and lower back and also help provide some definition to you lower waist. For best results, do this workout 3 times per week for 4 weeks along with 30-45 minutes of high intensity cardio intervals. I’ve also included some pics of me doing the workout this morning to help guide you. Try it out and let me know how it goes. Enjoy! Luv, Brit 🙂

muffin top