As much as we appreciate the calorie burn native to hill sprints, they can get boring come the end of your training week. Change up your routine with this high-intensity blast courtesy of our beautiful cover model, Jenna Douros – if you’re game!
Regardless of your fitness level or exercise experience – whether you’re a bodybuilder, gymnast or a weekend warrior – you can implement pyramid techniques and principals into your workout routine to achieve amazing results.
One of the reasons I work pyramid sets into my own training and that of my clients, is because they’re so versatile – you can apply them to nearly any workout. Pyramids can be a great way to break through those barriers that have brought progress to a standstill. The abnormal rep range helps to shock your system, shift those stubborn plateaus and really wake those muscle fibres up to improve tone and shape.
My training style contains a lot of exercise variety and an abundance of challenges to keep my mind motivated and my results moving forward. I’m so excited to share this pyramid workout with you!
Warning: this workout is quick, innovative, fun and, best of all, makes you feel like a child again. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a training session you can cruise through. The following pyramid set is a high-intensity, full-body workout that will require everything you’ve got and nothing less.
JD’s Pyramid Workout
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 reps (and back up to 10 if you are game.)
The aim is to perform 10 reps of each exercise with little to no rest. Follow suit performing 9 reps of each exercise with little to no rest, then 8 reps, then 7 reps and so on, descending all the way down to 1 rep. If you are game, work your way back up the pyramid in the same fashion until you reach 10 reps again.
There is nothing like a bit of healthy competition to push you harder so you exert more energy and keep yourself accountable. I suggest recording your time for completing the entire workout, so you can try and beat it the next time. Your only competition is you!
Photography: Adam McGrath Hcreations photography
Roll-ups (inverted burpee)
Begin in a standing position. Squat down, rolling on to your back while tucking your knees into your chest with your hands above your head. Rolling forward, throw your hands down towards your feet and kick both feet into the air and press into a hand stand. Lower both feet simultaneously to the ground.
Tip: If this is your first time, you may like to do this against a wall
Donkey Press ’n’ Tuck
Begin in a standing position dropping your body down (chest to floor). Press your body back up into a raised plank position while simultaneously tucking both knees towards your elbows, and back again. From the raised plank position, jump both feet to land outside your hands and progress into a tuck jump.
Bulldog Kicks
Begin in a bulldog position with your knees an inch from the ground (wrists, elbows, shoulders in alignment plus knees and hips in alignment). While doing your best to maintain the bulldog position, kick both heels up to meet your booty and return to the bulldog position (you will very quickly feel this in your midsection so keep that core rock solid to maintain a strong position throughout the movement).
Tip: This is a very small but quick move. To get the most out of this exercise it is best to build up a rhythm and blast out the reps consistently one after the other.
Ice-Skating Pistols
Begin the exercise by jumping to the right with a slight bend in your knees. In the same motion, reach down towards the outside of your right foot with your left hand. Perform a pistol squat (single leg squat) on the right leg. Repeat this movement in the opposite direction.
NEXT: Looking for more challenging workouts? Head to our workout section of the website for more.
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