Gym Mat Workout: A Full-Body Routine for Strength and Toning
Before we dive into the workout, let’s briefly discuss the advantages of using a gym mat. The cushioned surface provides support for your joints, reduces the risk of injury, and allows you to engage muscles more effectively during bodyweight exercises.
Bridges
We’ll start with bridges, a fantastic exercise for targeting the glutes and lower back. To perform a bridge, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the mat. Slowly lift your hips off the ground, squeezing your glutes at the top. Hold for a moment, then lower back down. Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.
Renegades
Renegades, or renegade rows, are excellent for building upper body strength. Begin in a plank position with your hands on the mat, gripping a pair of dumbbells. Perform a row with each arm while keeping your core engaged to stabilize your body. Aim for 3 sets of 10 reps per arm.
Seated Twists
Seated twists are perfect for targeting your obliques and improving flexibility. Sit on the mat with your knees slightly bent and feet lifted off the ground. Hold a dumbbell or a medicine ball in your hands and twist from side to side. Do 3 sets of 15 reps on each side.
Alternating Shoulder Press
This exercise focuses on the shoulders and helps build upper body strength. Stand on the mat with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding dumbbells at shoulder height. Press one dumbbell overhead while keeping the other at shoulder level. Alternate between arms for 3 sets of 10 reps per arm.
Alternating Bicep Curls
Get those biceps burning with alternating bicep curls. Stand tall on the mat with dumbbells in hand, palms facing forward. Curl one dumbbell towards your shoulder while keeping the other extended. Alternate between arms for 3 sets of 12 reps per arm.
Shoulder Press
The shoulder press is an excellent compound exercise that targets multiple upper body muscles. Stand on the mat with dumbbells at shoulder height. Press them overhead and lower back down. Aim for 3 sets of 10 reps.
Ab Exercises
Let’s shift our focus to core exercises. Lie down on the mat and perform various ab exercises such as crunches, leg raises, and bicycle crunches. Mix it up and do 3 sets of 15 reps for each exercise.
Ab Burnout
For an extra challenge, engage in an ab burnout session. Perform plank variations, such as forearm planks and side planks, for 1 minute each. Repeat the circuit 3 times.
Roll Ups
Finish off the workout with roll-ups, a Pilates-inspired movement that targets the entire core. Lie flat on your back, extend your arms overhead, and roll up into a seated position. Roll back down with control. Complete 3 sets of 8 roll-ups.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve completed a full-body gym mat workout that targeted various muscle groups, providing you with strength, stability, and flexibility. Remember to perform each exercise with proper form and listen to your body throughout the workout.
Get ready to see impressive results as you incorporate this gym mat workout into your fitness routine. It’s time to take your workouts to the next level and enjoy the benefits of working out on a mat.