WEDNESDAY SHIFT 12/30/2020
MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY
PRE: AIRPLANE STRETCH OR MORNING COFFEE
POST: CHEST OPENER, QUADS/IT BAND
AMRAP 12 Min
(As Many Rounds and Reps As Possible in 12 Min)
5 Push Up + Taps
10 DB/KB Jump Overs
15 Air Squats
No weight needed! (Except for an object to jump over!)
Score: Total # of Completed Rounds + Any Additional Reps
Goal: 6+ Rounds
The way this one works is you'll cycle through 5 push up + taps, 10 jump overs, and 15 squats until 12 minutes are over!
For the push ups + taps you may do regular push ups, knee push ups, or even elevated push ups. Choose a type of push up that you can't just bust out 10 reps. It's ok if you need to break them up a bit.
Make sure the elbows go back and that the hands are just wider than the shoulders. No flaring elbows. Keep the belly tight and avoid worming or snaking. Go all of the way down to touch the chest at the bottom, come all of the way up at the top.
Once you are at the top of the push up, you will bring your right hand to your left shoulder, then take your left hand to touch your right shoulder. Try to not let the hips rotate, or allow the butt to pop up when you lift your hand up. You can do the taps on your toes, knees, or even elevated!
The Push Up + Taps is 1 push up + tap right shoulder + tap left shoulder = 1 rep.
For the DB/KB jump over you will stand facing the DB/KB and jump over it. Then you will turn around and jump back over the object. You can scale to a line if you are intimidated to go over something. You can also sub a little skip over.
If jumping or skipping is out of the question, you can perform a low, alternating step up.
For the air squats, you will have the feet shoulder width apart with the heels down. Lift the chest and tighten the belly. Reach the butt back and down as you drive the knees out. Ideally, you will get your butt lower than your knees at the bottom with the chest up and belly still tight! Drive through the heels and drive the knees out to stand completely.
If you have a tendency to collapse at the bottom, you may try using a counter balance. If you have pain or issue in the bottom from current or past injury or issue - you may choose to squat to a slightly higher target. Still focus on heels down, knees out, chest up!
PUSH UPS - If you notice coning/doming in the plank position or if you find yourself straining to breathe or bearing down forcefully into your belly or pelvic floor, sub an elevated push up with hands on box, bench, wall, table, etc. or sub floor press, or bench press. You can also try doing the PUSH UP + PULL ACROSS from your knees or a table top position.
AIR SQUAT - If you have a hard time maintaining control and a stable midline in the bottom of the squat or if you find yourself bearing down to get out of the bottom, try subbing a target or assisted squat to shorten the range of motion. A box squat is always a great idea especially during pregnancy to strengthen the posterior chain and balance out the growing belly.
JUMP/SKIP OVERS - To manage the added pressure to the pelvic floor that the impact from jumping and hopping can create, sub: Skip Overs, Row, Bike, Farmer Carry, Taps, Quick Step Ups, Sled Push/Drag, Elevated Plank Blast Off, Single Legged Plank Rock Back, High Knee Step Overs.
BOX JUMP - This is going to be all about managing the impact and pressure to your core and pelvic floor. If you feel any heaviness or pain in the pelvic floor or surrounding areas (i.e. tailbone, lower back, pubic symphysis) or if you notice symptoms like leaking pee, please consider adapting your approach or modifying the movement. The SHIFT options for smaller Jump/Skip Overs are good for helping you achieve the stimulus with a little less impact. You can ALWAYS substitute Step Ups if you want zero impact or even KB Swings if you want to get a little more explosive with your hips. For pregnant mamas, please remember that if you are unsure if you can complete the movement because of balance, strength, or coordination it may not be worth the risk of potentially falling or busting up your shins! For mamas further along in their Postpartum you can try a lower height of box to practice that two foot take off and landing without the extra impact. Focus on your breath and posture throughout the movement and do less reps if that helps you concentrate on good technique and awareness in your body.