The Beach Body Workout
For Full Body Tone

Did summer sneak up on you before you were ready? Don't worry! With a beach body workout, you will soon be wearing your swimsuit with confidence. After a long winter, it feels great to pull out the summer wardrobe and enjoy the warm sunshine.

But, for some of us, beach season can be stressful. It is the time of year when we look in the mirror and judge our reflection a little more critically. Every bump, bulge, and ripple seems to be magnified and our dreams of playing beach volleyball in a bikini are shattered. 

Instead of trying on swimsuits, we are looking for stylish cover-ups so we can soak up the rays without feeling self-conscious. With efficient workouts that tone muscles and torch maximum calories in minimal time, you can whip your body into beach body shape just in time for your cottage vacation or the next swimsuit volleyball tournament.

Beach Body Workout

Even if we don't aspire to be the next Sport's Illustrated swimsuit model, we still want to look and feel good about ourselves, and there is no better motivation than that “itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini” just waiting to be worn with pride.

• Choose 4 exercises and perform in a circuit with little or no rest between each movement unless otherwise indicated
                  
• Repeat each exercise for 30-60 seconds or for desired number of reps
  
  
• Rest 30-60 seconds between sets
  
  
• Repeat the circuit until you reach desired workout length
  
  
• A single circuit or even an individual exercise can be added into your jog, brisk walk, or bike ride.

For example, you can stop every mile to perform a circuit or break your cardio workout into 5 minute segments, performing one of the above movements between each segment.

Beach Body Workout Samples

Beach Body Workout Exercises

Russian Twist:

The Russian twist is an abdominal exercise that that works the side oblique muscles by rotating your body. This routine can really assist those who use explosiveness in their upper torso. Sports like golf, swimming, and lacrosse are just a few that come to mind.

• More on Russian Twists

Push Ups:

Push ups work almost every part of your body, especially the arms, core back and shoulders. The exercise is super convenient and can be done almost anywhere without any equipment or a gym membership. A number of fitness professionals say that if they could only do one exercise for the rest of their lives...it would be the push up.

• More on Push Ups

Reverse Crunch:

The reverse crunch is one of the better abdominal exercises to really work the lower area of your abs, this is where stomach fat tends to accumulate. This exercise also helps to strengthen supporting muscles of the spine that provide stability.

• More on Ab Crunches

Twisting Forward Lunge:

This is a great core exercise that builds strength and better stamina in the lower body.  The twisting motion activates your glutes and core more fully and is a great way to challenge your balance skills.

• Dumbbell Lunges
  
  

Tricep Dips:

The tricep did is an isolation exercise that works the muscles in the back of your arms. It is a convenient body weight exercise that can be done anywhere you have a chair or low table. Doing these dips on a regular basis can help to tighten up flabby arms.

• More on Tricep Exercises

Plank Exercise:

The plank is a body weight exercise that works almost every muscle in your body with using any equipment. Many regard the plank as the best core exercise available. This exercise also strengthens the shoulders and hips and can be modified by extending your arms or legs to target specific muscle groups.

• More on Plank Exercises

Front Lat Raises:

Dumbbell front lat raises will strength and definition to your shoulders which will actually make your waist look smaller. Having stronger shoulders will make everyday functions easier and have you looking better in a tank top.

• Front Lat Raises

Yoga Boat Pose:

The Boat is a highly effective ab exercise that probably works your midsection better than many popular abdominal exercises like crunches and sit-ups. This pose will also improve balance and stretch and align the spine.

• More on the Boat Pose

Downward Facing Dog to Upward Dog:

Downward and Upward Facing Dog poses are two of the most popular yoga movements that new students learn. Both of these poses do a good job of stretching the body and are extremely helpful for people who spend their hunched over a desk.

• More on Downward Facing Dog
• More on Upward Facing Dog

Eagle Pose:

Eagle is a wonderful stretching pose that strengthens your joints and creates improved balance. This pose demands full concentration and can help to relieve stress and muscle tension. The eagle pose is good to do early in a session as it warms your muscles.

• More on the Eagle Pose

Squat Exercise:

Squats are a compound exercise that work almost every muscle group in your body simultaneously. They are one of the best exercises available to help you lose weight because it increases your muscle mass. Remember, the more muscle you have - the more calories your body burns.

• More on Squat Exercises

Hip Raises:

The hip raise is a fantastic body weight exercise that targets your abs, lower back and hamstring muscles. This exercise helps to stabilize that part of the body and can help to reduce the consistent lower back pain that many people deal with.

• More on Hip Raises

Step-Ups:

A step up routine can give your butt and legs an intense workout just by pushing your body up and down on a box or bench. Although this is a lower body exercise, if you include a pair of dumbbells you can put together an effective full body calorie burning exercise.

Beach Body Workout

Most of these workouts can be done on your lunch break, during half-time at your kid's soccer game, or in the privacy of your own backyard. Of course, you can also sculpt your beach body indoors, but the fresh air and sunshine will boost your mood and immunity and will also give your skin a healthy glow.

Other pages that might interest you:

• Upper Body Dumbbell Workout
• Cardio Workout Routines

I will continue to share ideas about diet and exercise that have helped me along the way. If you have any questions I can help you with, or ideas you would like to share, feel free to contact me or visit our Q&A forum