Create Your Own Full Body Circuit Workout

How about a fun Create Your Own Full Body Circuit Workout today?!

After putting out a call for a Reader’s Choice workout, I saw an overwhelming response for full body. However, I couldn’t help but notice that there were so many other requests as well, so I decided to put together a little something that I think should please ALL of you in one way or another.

This workout has four mini circuits: upper, lower, core, and a “blast it out” circuit. Depending on what you’re looking to work, complete the entire thing or just focus on a couple of mini circuit.

For example, perhaps one day you focus on Upper + Core and the next day you do Lower + Blast It Out. Make it work for you, your schedule, and your time. Either way, you’re still going to end up with a killer workout, using minimal equipment (all you’ll need is a set of dumbbells and a stability ball).

Have fun with it, and be sure to check out the moves below.

UPPER BODY

Standing Reverse Fly w/ Dumbbells

Stand with feet hip-width apart and your knees bent. Bend forward at the hips and let arms hang straight down from shoulders, palms facing in. Raise both arms out to sides as you squeeze shoulder blades together. Return to start. Repeat.

 

 

Stability Ball Push-Ups

Place shins on top of a stability ball, and walk your hands out on the floor. Center hands beneath your shoulders, keeping back straight, core engaged, and perform push-ups as normal.

 

Skullcrushers

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and lie with upper back resting on a stability ball; raise hips so body forms a tabletop position. Extend dumbbells directly overhead with arms straight and palms facing each other. Push weight into your heels to keep your hips lifted and glutes engaged. Without moving upper arms, slowly bend elbows and lower dumbbells until forearms are past a parallel position. Straighten elbows and return to start. Repeat.

Alternating Dumbbell Cross Jab

Stand with feet a bit wider than hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold a weight in each hand at chest height with elbows bent, palms facing each other. Punch your right arm out, as shown, stepping forward with right foot. As you bring it back in, punch out with your left arm and step forward with left foot. Continue punching/stepping motion.

 

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LOWER BODY

Squat & Lunge Combo

Stand with arms at sides and squat until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Push back up to the starting position. Then take a giant step forward with left foot and lower your body until left thigh is parallel to the ground. Push up onto your left leg and return to start. That’s one rep. Repeat, stepping forward with right foot.

Single-Leg, Single-Arm Reach

Stand and raise right arm in front of you. Bend from hips and lift right leg behind you until it’s parallel to floor. Contract glutes and hamstrings as you return to standing. That’s one rep. Complete reps, switch sides and repeat.

 

Single-Leg Hip Extension

Lie faceup with arms out to sides, right knee bent, left leg straight and raised a few inches off the floor. Lift leg until it’s in line with right thigh and push hips upward. Keep a straight line from shoulders to knees. Pause, lower to start. Do all reps, switch legs and repeat.

 

Dumbbell Bent Knee Deadlift

Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor in front of you. Squat, keeping chest up, and grab dumbbells with an overhand grip. Arms should be straight and lower back slightly arched. Contract glutes and stand up with dumbbells, straightening legs, pushing hips forward, and pulling torso back and up. Slowly lower dumbbells to the floor. Repeat.

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CORE

Oblique Twist with Medicine Ball

Sit with knees bent and lean back slightly while holding a medicine ball. Draw belly button in and twist from side to side, tapping your elbow or palm down to the floor. Twist from side to side, keeping the movement slow and controlled.

Pullover Curl Up

Lie faceup on mat, knees bent and feet flat, holding ends of one dumbbell with both hands, arms extended behind head. Raise arms up. Once dumbbell is over chest, curl shoulders off mat and reach dumbbell toward knees. Reverse motion back to start. You can also do this without a dumbbell.

 

Side Plank with Dip & Reach

Start in a side plank position on forearm, shoulder over the elbow, feet stacked. Raise top arm, drop hips to tap the ground, and raise back up to plank position. Lower top arm down and underneath, then return back up to start. Repeat.

 

 

Stability Ball Leg Raises

Start on your back on the ground with the ball between your ankles.  Lift legs up to 90 degrees and then keep going, lifting the hips into the air. Bring the ball back down slow and controlled, and up again, making sure to use the abs to lift the hips off of the floor.

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BLAST IT OUT MOVES

• Mountain Climbers
• Burpees
• Plank Jacks
• Split Jumps