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WAR ON FAT
Our 2006 Men’s Health poster
series concludes with a total-body
workout that’ll not only help
you survive the holidays,
but leave you leaner than ever.
BY M YAT T M U R P H Y
2006
these precepts to one fat-torching routine, performed 3 days a week
with at least a day of rest between workouts. The result: You’ll be
leaner and stronger than you were before the holidays. And that means
you’ll be free to use your New Year’s resolutions for something other
THE PAYOFF
BODY
stance, the squat works rotation both engage do. Studies show that
the largest muscles of your core fully; and this leads to greater
your lower body, while the squat challenges growth—while
the bench press and your abdominals reducing the overall
seated row develop throughout the entire time you spend
your upper body. movement. in the gym.
20
BENCHMARK
OF SUCCESS Do each exercise in this circuit without resting between moves. Do each exercise in this circuit without resting between moves. Do each exercise in this circuit without resting between moves.
Rest for 45 to 60 seconds and repeat the circuit twice more. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds and repeat the circuit twice more. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds and repeat the circuit twice more.
HOW DO YOU Then move to the next circuit. Then move to the next circuit. Percentage of men
who keep their workouts
MEASURE 1
under 40 minutes
UP?
3
BARBELL BENCH PRESS A
The single-leg squat Lie on a bench with your feet flat on the floor. Grab the bar with your
touchdown is one of the hands slightly more than shoulder-width apart and hold the weight with 1
your arms extended over your chest. Pull your shoulder blades back SEATED ROW NUMBER OF TIMES
most natural athletic BETTER YOUR AB
movements: You bend at and together, then lower the bar to your chest. (Tuck your elbows in— Sit at a seated-row station or on
WORKOUT IS WHEN
don’t let them flare out to the sides.) Pause, then push the weight back up. the floor a couple of feet from YOU DO PUSHUPS ON
the knees while balancing
on one leg. So even if
The plan: Perform eight to 15 repetitions. a low pulley cable, your feet on A SWISS BALL (AS
the footrests or a weight plate. SHOWN) INSTEAD OF
you’ve never done the A B ON THE FLOOR
Attach a handle that allows
exercise, you’ll find yourself
you to use a neutral grip (palms
40
in similar positions in A B
facing each other). Grab the
sports. As a timed test, the B handle and slowly draw it toward
move measures your 1 your midsection while keeping
Percentage of men who want
ability to stay strong while BARBELL SQUAT your back perpendicular to the their winter workouts to help
keeping a stable base, an Place a barbell at chest height in a squat rack. Grab the bar with an floor. The handle should touch them burn fat and get ready
for winter sports
important factor in almost overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width and rest it across the just below your chest. Pause,
any activity, and key to back of your shoulders. Lift the bar off the rack and step back. Keeping then slowly allow your arms to
building muscle. your back naturally arched, bend at the hips and knees until your thighs straighten.
Balance on your right are parallel to the floor. Press yourself back up into a standing position.
The plan: Perform eight to 15 repetitions.
The plan: Perform eight to
15 repetitions.
TRACK YOUR
leg with your knees
slightly bent. (See Circuit
PROGRESS
3 for photos.) Start your Add up the total time it
stopwatch. Slowly bend 2 2 takes to perform the single-
A
your knee to lower your SWISS-BALL PUSHUP SINGLE-LEG SQUAT leg squat touchdown with
body toward the floor while
With the balls of your feet on TOUCHDOWN both legs, and the total
the floor, assume the standard Balance on your right leg with number of reps you were
reaching toward the
pushup position, but place your knees slightly bent and
outside of your right foot able to do. Divide each
your hands on the sides of a your hands on your hips. Slowly
with your left hand. Push number by two and record
Swiss ball directly under your bend your knee to lower your
through your heel and A B A B the resulting averages
shoulders. Spread your fingers, body toward the floor while
squeeze your glutes to in this chart. Follow the
with your thumbs pointing reaching toward the outside
return to the starting forward. Keeping your body in workout and retest
of your right foot with your left
position, then repeat as a straight line from your head hand. Push through your heel yourself every week. Go to
many times as you can. to your heels, bend your arms and squeeze your glutes to MensHealth.com/poster for
Stop the clock when you until your chest touches the ball. B return to the starting position. more fitness tips and to
lose balance and have Pause, then push yourself up to The plan: Perform 15 to 20 check out the previous
to stand on both feet. Then the starting position. 2 repetitions on each leg. nine posters in this series.
The plan: Perform 10 to 15 ALTERNATING ROW
restart the clock and
repetitions. Grab a pulley handle in each hand and step back so there’s slight tension
repeat on your left leg.
in the cables. Quickly pull the left handle in toward the left side of
Track your progress in the your chest. Allow your arm to straighten as you draw your right arm in.
chart at right. The plan: Perform 10 to 15 repetitions with each arm.
3 A B C
35
P ER C EN TAG E O F M EN W H O
F IN D I T M O R E DIF F IC U LT T O
MEDICINE-BALL
CHOP
Stand holding a medicine ball WEEK 1 [AV ER AGE T IME /
W O R K O U T T HI S M O N T H T H A N A
4 with your arms straight and over AV ER AGE REPS]
B your left shoulder. Pivot to the
AT A N Y O T H ER T IM E O F Y E A R
left so that your right heel rises
off the floor and your torso faces
59
MILLIONS OF
A B
left. This is the starting position.
Quickly bend your knees and
rotate your torso to the right as
WEEK 2 [AV ER AGE T IME /
AV ER AGE REPS]
62
Percentage increase in your
TORSO ROTATION
Grab the handle of a shoulder-high pulley cable (or resistance bands)
with both hands. With your left side to the weight stack and both arms
return to the starting position.
Complete your repetitions, then
switch positions to work the
3
DUMBBELL CROSS PUNCH
Stand holding a pair of light dumbbells in front of you, palms angled in.
body’s ability to use fat for energy extended toward the stack, step away until you feel tension. Keeping opposite side. Punch your left fist forward and slightly to the right, rotating your WEEK 4 [AV ER AGE T IME /
a whopping 16 hours after your AV ER AGE REPS]
weight workout—that’s well into your arms straight, rotate your shoulders to the right, then return. The plan: Perform 10 to 15 wrist as you go. Draw your arm back as you punch with your right fist.
your day off, using this plan The plan: Do 15 to 20 repetitions, then turn around and repeat. repetitions in each direction. The plan: Perform 15 to 20 repetitions with each arm.
Photographs by B E T H B I S C H O F F, grooming: Mia Sarazen