Except for the first exercise (the lat pulldowns), all you need to complete this workout is a few pairs of dumbbells and a resistance band. If you don’t use or have access to a gym, simply substitute the lat pulldowns with a two dumbbell bent-over row.

Before you start, a few things to note: 

• The first two exercises, use HEAVY weights if you’re in the gym and have access to them. If you’re at home and only have lighter weight dumbbells, increase the number of reps to 15, 20, or even 25. Make sure your muscles are really burning by those last few reps!
• Instead of 30 seconds rest between sets for the resistance band exercises, you’ll be doing some core work. If you can’t use a captain’s chair you can easily preform the leg lift exercise on the floor and replace the captain’s chair knee tuck exercises with a bicycle crunch.
• The last three exercises are higher reps, so you can switch to slightly lighter weights. Light enough so that you can complete 15-20 reps, but heavy enough so that it burns by the end.

Got it? Good!

This workout is a complete upper-body routine targeting your back, chest, bicep, tricep, and shoulder muscles. Try including it in your routine 1-2 times a week (on non-consecutive days) to build upper-body strength and endurance.

Last week, on my Tumblr page, I was talking about how after weeks of struggling with 8 and 10 reps, I was finally able to press 30lb. dumbbells for 12 reps. It was amazing how I walked into the gym that day, picked up the weights, and they suddenly felt just a little bit lighter. It reminded me of the importance of staying focused and dedicated because even though it takes longer than we’d like, our hard work does pay off.

So, remember… Set measurable goals for yourself and then start chipping away at them, one step at a time. Never forget that it takes time and dedication. You have to be persistent and work at it every day. I know how easy it is to get discouraged when you don’t see or feel results after just one or two workouts. But that’s not how it works.

We all want instant gratification (and with working out you do get it a little bit because you will definitely ALWAYS feel AWESOME after a sweat sesh), but depending on what your goals are and where you’re starting out it might take weeks, months, or even years. Don’t let that discourage you though. Let it be your motivation, because the feeling of accomplishing what you set out to achieve is always worth it.

I tried it for the first time ever on Friday with The Holding Space at Studio Anya. It was one of the most playful and relaxing yoga classes I’ve ever taken and I really can’t wait until the next time I can take another class! For my first time around, I signed up for the restorative class (described as “the gentle, deep stretching, healing side of AntiGravity Yoga“) so that I could learn the ropes in an easy going, slow-paced environment. It’s important to take it slow and be gentle when learning a new kind of exercise.

You know, especially when you’re going to be hanging upside down and stuff

I Tried a New Exercise! The 411:

What: Restorative AntiGravity Yoga.

AntiGravity yoga classes incorporate a floating hammock (the purple thing I am hanging from in the photo above) to allow for greater spinal decompression, enhanced weight resistance, and deeper stretching. The atmosphere and feel is extremely similar to a typical yoga class, only traditional poses are modified in order to work with the hammock.

Where: Studio Anya at West 24th street between 6th Avenue and Broadway.

The studio is exquisitely clean and beautifully decorated. It’s not a traditional yoga space, but it totally works. It’s unique in that it includes a small kitchen where you can enjoy some healthy snacks and a cup of tea! In addition to their AntiGravity yoga classes, they also offer a handful of other options including AntiGravity and traditional Pilates classes.

Instructor: Joy

Joy was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The classes are small (about 6 people) and allow for a lot of individual attention and assistance.

I tried it. Did I like it?: Yes! I really enjoyed the class for the fact that it put a completely new spin on a familiar and favorite exercise. I’m always talking about how you should try new things and explore to find the exercises that you love, yet lately I’ve been so glued to my running and weight lifting routine that I haven’t strayed from the norm for quite some time. Not to mention I’ve totally been neglecting my love for yoga. Not cool!

My favorite part about the class was how playful it was. Hanging and swinging in the hammock made me feel like a kid on a swing set. Depending on what kind of studio you go to and who your instructor is sometimes you’ll be reminded, but yoga (and all exercise in general) is supposed to be fun and make you smile. Unfortunately, I think a lot of the time that aspect of it is lost, so this was a really refreshing breath of fresh exercise air.

The class began with a breathing meditation in what’s called “womb pose,” which simply requires that you sit in a cross legged position in the center of the hammock. When you do this, you’re completely elevated off of the ground and the hammock sort of engulfs you, and not in an overbearing way, just so that it’s literally like you are in a womb. It sounds a little ridiculous, and I’ll be honest, I felt a little ridiculous at the time (I was laughing internally), but honestly it is one of the coolest, most relaxing feelings ever to just float there and focus on your breathing. It actually feels like you are levitating. Like magic!

As I mentioned earlier, the restorative class was very easy-going, so if you’ve never tried AntiGravity yoga it’s a great place to start and get your body accustomed to the hammock.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! I’d definitely love to take the restorative class again, especially at the end of the week when I’m in need of some good rest and relaxation. And when I want to get a great yoga or strength workout, I can’t wait to give the traditional AntiGravity yoga and Pilates classes a try!

Calorie Burn: Unknown. I took off my heart rate monitor and watch before the beginning of class because it’s recommended that you remove all watches and jewelry so they do not snag the hammock. If I had to guesstimate, I’d say I burned about 100 calories, if that. The class is one hour and fifteen minutes long but I doubt my heart rate went above 80 or 90 beats per minute for the entire time. So, the restorative class is better for relaxing and meditating. But if you’re looking for a big calorie burn, I would imagine that the traditional AntiGravity Yoga and Pilates classes are challenging and will work up a sweat.

Would you try AntiGravity Yoga?

*Disclosure: This is not a sponsored or endorsed post. However, the kindhearted yogis of The Holding Space did offer a discount on my first class with them. I was not obligated to write about it and all thoughts and opinions above are my own.

You know why? Because this 19-minute kick-butt Tabata routine can be done anytime, anywhere, any way.

OK, maybe not any way. You do need to follow a few simple guidelines (see below). But still, that’s not much to ask at all. So if you haven’t gotten your sweat on yet today, get up and get moving!

No gym or equipment needed and therefore, no excuses accepted.P.S. Remember, the trick to Tabata is that you have to give it your absolute 150%, best effort ever during each 20 second interval. So no half-assing it! Tabata Guidelines

Perform each exercise for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat the 20/10 cycle 8 times for each exercise with 1 minute rest in between exercises.

For the 2nd segment of the workout, start with 4 cycles of jump squats, then move on to 4 cycles of alternating lunges (for a total of 8).

For the 3rd segment of the workout, start with 4 cycles of spider man pushups, then move on to 4 cycles of Russian twists.

Exercise Descriptions

Mountain Climbers: Come down to all fours in a high plank position. Make sure that your elbows are positioned underneath your shoulders and that your hands are planted firmly on the ground. Focus on engaging your core by drawing your belly button into your spine to protect your lower back and keep your spine in a straight line. Begin by drawing your knees in toward your chest, alternating one knee then the other, as if you were climbing a mountain. Move as quickly as you can without bouncing your hips up and down. Focus on using your core muscles to draw your knees up towards your chest. Continue for the allotted duration of the exercise.

Squat jumps: Start standing with your feet hip width distance apart. Settle down into squat position, as if you were about to sit back into a chair. Focus on keeping the weight in your heels, making sure that your knees never move in front of your ankles. Engage your core by drawing your belly button toward your spine for balance. Once you’re in a squat position use your legs to push the floor away and jump up as high as you can. Focus on firing from your glute (butt) muscles. Repeat the squat to jump move as fast and powerfully as you can for the allotted duration of the exercise.

Alternating Lunges: Start standing with your feet together, slightly closer than hip width distance apart. Keep your core engaged and your torso tall (shoulders back and down) as you step your right foot forward placing it on the ground in front of you flexing your knee so it forms a 90 degree angle and stepping far enough so that your left leg begins to extend, with your left knee nearly touching the ground behind you and also forming a 90 degree angle. Use your muscles to push the ground away with your right leg and return to the starting position. Repeat the same with your left leg then continue to alternate for allotted duration of the exercise

Spiderman Push ups: Start in high plank position, on all fours with your spine in a straight line, and your core engaged to protect your lower back. Lower down into a push up while simultaneously drawing your right knee toward your right elbow. Push back up and return to the starting position, repeat the same on your left side, alternating between sides for the allotted duration of the exercise.

Russian Twists: Sit on your mat with your legs out in front of you, knees bent up toward your chest. Lean back onto your sitting bones and keeping your knees bent, lift your feet off the ground so that your calves become parallel with the ground. (Modification: keep your feet on the floor out in front of you, knees slightly bent.) Engage your core by drawing your belly button into your spine and keep your back straight and torso tall, focusing on keeping your shoulders back and down. With your hands out in front of the middle of your core, using your obliques (side ab muscles) twist to the right, touching your hands to the floor slightly behind and to the right of your hips. Doing the same, twist to the left. Alternate between sides for the allotted duration of the exercise.

Burpees: Start standing with your feet slightly less than hip width apart at the top of your mat. Bend down and touch your hands to the ground. With your core engaged, thrust our legs back and out behind you so that you come into a high plank position. Focus on drawing your belly button into your spine to protect your lower back, then use your core muscles to tuck your knees back in toward your chest and then jump up to return to the starting position. Repeat this as quickly as you can for the allotted duration of the exercise.

Print it and & bring it!