Michelle Bridges cardio workout: How to get rid of those extra kilos

THIS kilojoule-killer from personal trainer Michelle Bridges will push you into the fat-burning zone.

Michelle Bridges workout routine for body+soul.

THIS kilojoule-killer from personal trainer Michelle Bridges will push you into the fat-burning zone.

HOW TO MOVE

WARM up by walking for 3 minutes. Do each exercise for 1 minute with a 1-minute rest between. Try to go the full minute even if you have to slow down.

Once you’ve completed all 4 exercises, repeat the circuit twice more. As your fitness improves, reduce the rest time to 30 seconds. Cool down with a light stretch.

Jump-squat foot-tap

Start with feet wider than your shoulders and hands behind your head. Maintain a straight back and don’t lean forward as you squat. At the bottom of the squat, use your legs and core to jump up and tap your feet together. Land with your feet in the starting position, sink into the squat and repeat. Beginners do a normal squat.

The jump squat.

The jump squat.

Side plank elbow knee

Lie on your side and push up into a side plank, keeping your neck long, abs drawn in and legs strong. Reach overhead with your free arm then pull it down the side of your body as you draw your knee up towards your elbow. Balance by pulling your core in and focus on squeezing in the side as your knee and elbow meet. Beginners can do this from bent knees.

Michelle Bridges does the elbow to knee plank.

Michelle Bridges does a walking push-up.

Suicide burpee

Michelle Bridges shares her fitness secrets.

Start in a standing position and drop into a crouch with hands shoulder-width apart on the ground. Jump both feet out to the right into an angled plank position.

Immediately jump back into your crouched position and jump directly up into the air with an overhead clap. Drop straight down into your crouch position and repeat to the left. Beginners: walk the feet out into the plank position, walk them back to the crouch position and stand up for an overhead clap, removing the jump.

Sprint with side-step push-up

Sprint on the spot for 5 secs, then hit the ground to do a push-up. Next, place your right hand to your left hand, then move your left hand further to the left, while simultaneously stepping your feet the same way. Do another push-up, then jump up into a sprint and repeat. Beginners: do 2 push-ups from your knees without taking the side-step.

THIS MONTH’S TOOLKIT

DON’T GO IT ALONE

Michelle Bridges gives exercise advice.

I rediscovered this proverb from Seneca recently: “He who would do great things should not attempt them all alone.”

I think we can apply that to so many things in life but particularly to our health.

STEP 1: Tell someone your goal. It helps you explore ideas and it will resonate with the other person, too. Hearing yourself say the words will put it out there that you really want this.

STEP 2: Find a buddy who has similar goals or hire a personal trainer (PT). If the cost of working with a PT is outside your budget, try Googling training exercises instead.

STEP 3: Look for healthy food inspiration on TV, magazines, online and even when eating out. Then, start your own healthy recipe book. Fill it with meals you love or would like to try.

MISH’S PERSONAL LESSON: STAY HUNGRY FOR NEW IDEAS

I’m always on the hunt for new ideas around training and food.

I recently took myself to a new vegan cafe and was amazed by everything – the food, the concepts behind the meals and how those ideas ended up on my plate.

I was so inspired that I’ve brought some of those ideas into my own kitchen.

Originally published as Michelle Bridges cardio workout: How to get rid of those extra kilos