Power lunch

December 11, 2009, 2:44 pmmenshealth

No weights or rep counts are required for this gym-free workout, which builds endurance and reduces fat in your midday break

Fitness
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What?
A hard and fast high-intensity workout to burn kilojoules long after you’ve caught your breath.
Why?
This workout will up your heart rate and give you the energy to get through the rest of the day.
How?
This routine, designed by Paul Collins, the author of Belly Busters for Men, takes just 20

minutes and doesn’t require equipment.

When?

Perform these moves in order, spending one minute on each. Rest for two minutes between each set. Repeat as often as you can in the allotted time.

Who?

Those who struggle to fit a workout into their day.

Set 1


00:01 Calf jump with arms overhead

Stand on your toes with your legs shoulder-width apart. Stretch your arms over your head and jump as if you were skipping with a rope. Repeat.

01:02 Switch split jump

From a lunge position, hands behind your head, jump and switch legs in mid-air. Fall into the next lunge and repeat immediately.

02:03 Speed side-shuffle push-up

From a push-up position, extend your left arm and leg. Bring your right arm and leg to the left so you’re back at the starting position. Shuffle back and forth.

03:04 Soft jump squat

Place a cone outside your left foot. Assume a squat position, bending your legs until your quads are parallel to the ground. Jump back and forth sideways over the cone, landing gently.

04:05 Burpees

Do a push-up. Jump into a squat position. Raise your hands and jump up, bringing your knees into your chest. Land on your toes and drop back into a squat. Kick your feet back into a push-up position. Repeat.

Two-minute break: 05:07

Set 2


07:08 Bear crawl

From a crawling position, bend your elbows and knees, your hips in the air. Crawl quickly towards a point. Then move backwards to the starting position.

08:09 Pulsing sumo squat with jump

Do two consecutive squats, holding each one for one second. Explode up out of the last squat, maintaining your form at all times. Repeat.

09:10 High knees in place

Sprint on the spot by driving your knees to your chest. If your legs are lagging, hold your hand out and try to connect your knees with your elbows.

10:11 Jump squats and star jumps

Stand with your hands behind your head. Bend your knees to lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor, then push up so that your feet leave the floor. Land with bent knees then do five star jumps and repeat.

11:12 Push-up with side plank

Complete one push-up, then immediately push yourself into a side plank. Align your head, neck, shoulders, core and legs. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on alternate sides.

Two-minute break: 12:14

Set 3


14:15 Forward distance hop

With your feet hip-width apart, jump as far forward as you can, using your arms to propel you. Land in a low squat position and immediately jump forward again.

15:16 Kangaroo hops

Stand with your legs apart and your arms out. Jump and drive your knees to your chest, using your arms to help with balance. Aim for 10-15 jumps.

16:17 Bicycle crunches

Lie on your back with your hands behind your head. Lift both legs slightly off the ground. Touch your elbow to the opposite knee, then alternate, as if you’re pedalling a bike.

17:18 Heels high

Sprint on the spot, bringing your heels right up behind you. Imagine you are kicking your own glutes.

18:19 Side shuffles

Stand with you feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees into a low squat. Shuffle left for 10 seconds, then right for 10 seconds.

One-minute break: 19:20

You can eat your lunch now.

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7 Comments

  1. Patricia P03:53pm Monday 04th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

    great but not all work places have showers so you can freshen up afterwards

    Reply
    1. KateDavo04:11pm Monday 04th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

      Good in theory...not so much in practise! Can't really imagine doing the "Bear Crawl" or "Kangraoo Hops" in the middle of the busy Queen St Mall in Brisbane on my lunchbreak without getting taken to the loony bin!

      Reply
      1. Life Only08:33pm Monday 04th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

        If you are looking for a wealthy lifestyle or looking for a businness partner, you may look at this,A cool place for us to meet rich and famous people @ m-e-e-t--m-i-l-l-i-o-n-a--i-r-e-.-co-m- -,good luck!!

        Reply
        1. S A02:55am Tuesday 05th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

          10 minutes to eat lunch? Maybe I'll try just 1 set.

          Reply
          1. SpYke!04:06am Tuesday 05th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

            If I started doing that at Melbourne airport I'd have the AFP Chasing me around the grounds...Then I'd really be getting a workout!!!! Great idea though... (the work out, not the AFP)

            Reply
            1. van-cuong02:58pm Wednesday 06th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

              good idea but no photo demo and no warm up.

              Reply
              1. blah03:33pm Thursday 07th January 2010 ESTReport Abuse

                Not sure I understand the Speed side-shuffle push-up in set 1. If my left arm and leg are extended, how do I move my right arm and leg

                Reply

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