Workout Hacks: 5 Best Secrets to Easily Shape up Your Body

Let's admit it. Getting in shape is not easy, but for sure, there are a lot of workout hacks that you could try incorporating into your usual routine at the gym or at home.

If you want to tone up your body, then I think you have to go on and read.

Let's get physical! 

Sometimes, the best tips in working out are what we consider the simplest. Trust me, you'd be surprised! 

 

1. Burpees or Squat Thrusts

Though we all hate doing burpees, little do we know that burpees are the best-kept secret in the gym. It is a highly effective whole-body exercise that also improves muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. 

How to do it:

1. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Hands in front of you, squat down. When your hands touch the ground, extend your legs back into a pushup stance.
3. Do one pushup.
4. Go back to the starting pushup position and jump both feet to your hands by hinging at the waist. Land your feet outside your hands if needed.
5. Stand straight, then bring your hands overhead and jump.
6. Complete 3 sets with 10 repetitions. 

Cardio and muscle strength improvement in one

 

2. Planks

Planks target the core, making it strong. Planks only require a small amount of time to be done and can give you good results in a relatively short time. 

Doing planks can also develop strong biceps, shoulders, and neck muscles. 

How to do it: 

1. Start by doing a pushup position.
2. Bend your elbows 90 degrees and put your weight on your arms.
3. Keep your body in a straight line from ears to toes.
4. Relax your head while looking at the floor. 
5. Breathe slowly and steadily.
6. Hold the position as long as you can. 

Make sure your form is steady, and don't hesitate to stop doing it once the strain is heavy.

 

3. Side Planks

Looking for a more intense form of planking? Try doing side planks! Side planks can tone your abs and can minimize back pain.

Side planks can work the sides of your body, which could help in identifying weaknesses in your muscles and joints, eventually addressing them before they become chronic.

How to do it: 

1. Start on your side with your feet together and one arm below your shoulder.
2. Put some attention to your core and raise your hips until your body is following a straight line from head to feet.
3. Hold the pose without allowing your hips to drop for the longest time possible, then repeat on the other side. 
4. You can try a variation that has your arm stretched. 
5. Beginners could start at 10 seconds per side. 

To intensify your side plank, you can also raise a foot for several intervals. 

 

4. Standing Overhead Dumbbell Press

This routine is best for toning your shoulders while engaging your upper back and core. 

How to do it: 

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. 
2. Move the weights above your head and make sure your upper arms are parallel to the floor. 
3. Tightening your core, push until your arms are extended overhead. Make sure to keep your head and neck stationary.
4. Bend your elbows and lower the dumbbells until your triceps are parallel to the floor.
5. Do 3 sets of 12 repetitions.

Your arms will be beefed up in a small amount of time.

 

5. Full Body Stretches

Sometimes we oversee stretching in our gym life. Little do we know that total body stretches help us maintain the body shape that we want. 

Cardio and strength training are the rudiments of any workout, but stretching at the end of every workout is usually overlooked. Do it and never neglect it. Stretching inhibits relaxation and stress relief. 

How to do it: 

1. You may need a bench, a chair, or an exercise ball. 
2. Stretch after a workout when your muscles are all warmed up.
3. Hold each stretching pose for 10 to 30 secs and do at least 1-3 repetitions.

Aside from toning your body, stretching is a perfect way to cool down. 

 

There are several more workout hacks you could curate yourself for you to do every time you are in the gym.

A trainer can definitely help you, but these bits and pieces of workout hacks can certainly be helpful!

Remember, health is wealth! 

 

 

Starting small when it comes to working out is not a bad thing — at least you know you are doing something positive. If you want to be fit in just four weeks, here is a  workout plan for you. Enjoy!