Countless studies published in the Journal of Lipids prove that combination-ingredient dietary supplements, combined with metabolic boosting meal replacement high-quality, whey protein shakes or protein bars, help melt belly fat and boost weight loss 40 percent more than exercise alone. This is especially true if you are apple-shaped and store excess belly fat.
You can jump-start your metabolism and burn off excess calories with one simple upgrade to your fitness routine. The best part? You don't need to go out and invest money for a piece of fancy equipment to perform these explosive moves. You can use what you probably already have in your home.
And, let's be real — who doesn't need to burn off excess calories this time of year?
All you need is a mini-platform ranging in height from four inches to any height you can safely jump on or over. Even a step or stair will do. For the sake of describing the movements, we're going to call it a "hop box."
Research from the American Council on Exercise shows you'll burn 15 calories more per minute during your HIT-metabolic boosting workout when you include the hop box. The spike comes from the added challenge of simply jumping onto a specific target.
But be aware, this jumping revs up your heart rate because you're hoisting your body weight up against gravity.
It will work all your major muscles, especially abs, glutes, and quads, to propel you while building your smaller stability muscles (which are worked as you land) that are equally as important but almost always overlooked.
As you can see, a hop box can be a one-stop-shop for reshaping muscles, from head to toe.
You can easily add this to your current workout by doing your strength training moves on the box. This increases the intensity of the moves by simply changing the angles. Making subtle changes in your workout, like changing the angle, require more balance and power.
FIT TIPS
- Set a goal before you begin, such as ten repetitions of each move
- Do "1-more" of each move than you did last time
- Keep track of how many of each move you can initially do. Make a note of the extra reps you can do as you progress. This will help motivate you by allowing you to visibly see and feel how much stronger and leaner you're becoming.
THE HOP BOX WORKOUT
Intensity level: 8–9 — Start wherever you are and remember that anything extra you do counts as more. This is an eight on the RPE scale (rate of perceived exertion) out of 10.
Total time: 30 minutes — You can break it down into (3) 10-minute sessions.
You'll need:
- A timer (the timer on your phone works great)
- A step-stool, plyo box, or even a sturdy milk crate can work. Beginners should begin at 20-inches height or less. If you're more advanced, you can use 24–30 inches. If you're outside, a park bench is perfect.
How you do it: Before beginning each move, set your time to one minute and perform your first set, working as quickly as possible, using good form and aiming to complete the repetitions in less than the minute allowed. Use any remaining time to recover and rest before continuing. This is all about working smarter, not harder. Then, finish the remaining six sets, or as many as you can.
How often to do it: Perform this workout three times weekly, allowing one day in between. Short on time? Done one move daily for one minute. The goal is seven sets.
Warm up first: For three minutes, do as many rounds as possible of each of the following:
- 10 squats
- 10 single leg lunges onto the box (10 on each side)
- Frog kicks
The Workout Movements
#1: The Burpee Box Hop (I call these "burp-up your last mealies")
- Stand up in front of the box with your feet hip-width apart to begin
- Crouch down and place your hands on the box, jump feet back to a plank position and do a full push-up (lower your entire body — thighs and chest — all the way to the floor). Push back up to a plank position and "hop" feet back up towards your hands. Stand back up and hop onto the box.
(NOTE: Make sure to keep your knees soft and use your arms to swing yourself up onto the box and land with both feet securely on the box) - Step down on the other side. That's one!
- Repeat at least 10 times or for one minute straight
#2: The Incline Box Push-Up
- Start this move in plank position with your palms on the box. Lower your chest on the box until it touches it, keeping your elbows tight to your side (this way is best for beginners).
- Push yourself back up to a plank position. That's one!
- Perform at 10 times without resting or as many as you can safely perform
#3: Box Step-Up
- Stand, facing the box with your left foot on top of the box, knee bent, and arms by your side
- Push off using your right foot as if you're jumping (exploding) onto the box and bring your bent, stable knee up to your chest (as if to give your knee a kiss).
- Lower your right leg back to the start position, making sure to land with knees slight bent (soft knees)
- That's one! Continue on the same side for 4–5 reps and then switch legs, repeating on the other side.
- Do two sets and rest for the remainder of the minute drill. If you finish early, allow your body and breath to recover.
#4: Tricep Box Dips
- Sit on the edge of the box, facing away from it, with hands on the edge and fingertips pointing towards the floor.
- Walk feet forward away from the box until legs are straight (beginners, keep legs bent to make it easier).
- Keep butt close to the box as you bend your elbows behind you until your arms form a 90° angle
- Push yourself up, using the box to push off as if you're pushing yourself down until you're back up to the starting position
- That's one!
- Do 10 reps and rest for the remainder of the minute
#5: On the Box Frog Kicks
- Sit on top of the box, close to the edge with legs into the chest
- Slowly lean your torso back and extend your legs out while making sure to keep your core tight
- Explode back up to the starting position
- That's one!
- Do 25 reps and rest for the remainder of the minute. For beginners, you can secure yourself using your arms placed behind you and allowing yourself to push off using them.
Repeat the five moves above six more times......
You'll burn 250 calories (more if you're a male) in addition to tightening and toning your body.
Did you know that just because you're working out doesn't mean you'll burn fat? That's what fat-burning supplements are for. Want more accelerated fat burning? Try these simple steps to promote fat-burning vs. the fat released in your workout from being stored as fat in your cells:
- Take (1–2) LynFit Cutting Edge and (1) LynFit Accelerator before your workout, then
- Take (1–2) LynFit Cutting Edge immediately after your workout
- If you struggle with sore and achy joints, take (1–2) LynFit Pure Omega 3 immediately after you work out to help reduce inflammation. And, drink a lot of water or green tea.
Merry fat-melting and a healthier, stronger you this holiday season. We'd love to hear your story. Feel free to share with us, so we can join in on the celebration with you!