Grab your dumbbells for this fun and challenging routine. One round only takes 15-Minutes, and it can be repeated up to 3X.
This workout routine is focused on building full body strength, fitness, and lean muscles. Don’t be afraid to push yourself. Breathe heavy, get sweaty and have fun!
I am focusing on re-building my strength, endurance and overall health and fitness. To be honest, it isn’t easy. It’s a lot easier to keep going once you have established a consistent routine. When your routine stops working with your lifestyle or is consistently met with obstacles things get much harder.
It takes a lot of effort to establish a new routine, but the end result is worth it.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout! Let me know how many rounds you get in.
Melissa
The Workout Video:
The Workout Breakdown:
No Equipment. Total Core Workout + Fat Burning Exercise Routine. Build strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Welcome to a great full body workout routine. This workout requires no equipment and can be completed with body weight. As always, you will find the full length workout video below.
This was my first workout back to HIIT after an extended break. I did keep up with some yoga, but definitely had a decline in my overall health and fitness. I’ve got some work to do to re-build, but I’m excited for the journey. Plus, I’ve noticed that every time I workout my kids also want to workout or stretch with me. It’s not just my health and fitness that I’m building. These little ones are paying attention and my healthy habits are helping them create their own.
Family Flex.
I paired today’s workout with a mile walk on the treadmill. I kept it simple, 3.0 mph speed, Incline level 2. You can repeat the workout 1-3X or do just one round. I’m starting out with one round. As my fitness level improves I will start to repeat for another round or two, or add some higher intensity cardio after the workout.
My current focus remains on CONSISTENCY. Showing up on a regular basis for my workouts, week in and week out. Consistency is more important than having one great week, or two great weeks. In that vein, I’ve committed to keeping active on a daily basis with at least one mile of walking. This is intentional walking or other exercise, outside of my normal daily activity.
I’m re-training my mind and body to show up for my health and my future self. I love taking care of my family, and sometimes do so at the expense of my own workouts, sleep, etc. I’ve been reminding myself that my family also relies on me maintaining my health and wellness, so that needs to be a priority, too.
I enjoyed being back to filming and I hope you enjoy this workout as much as I did. I would love to hear which exercise you enjoyed the most and which you found most challenging. I found the single leg hip tap most challenging, but it was also one of my favorites from today. My second favorite was the Beast Heel Press.
Post workout stretching to keep mobile.
Have fun with today’s workout and let me know what your goals are this year, and how you’re doing with staying on track so far. Let’s keep building our health and wellness together. I’m looking forward to the year ahead and sharing plenty of new workouts with you.
Welcome to a new workout! I filmed this workout live on Facebook a couple of days ago. This is an amazing full body workout with some of the best equipment free, low impact exercise moves. We start out this routine focused on the core, then move to lower body, and finish with arms/shoulders and back.
It’s short, but very effective. You can do this on its own once through, repeat it, or pair it with another workout or some cardio. Make it workout for whatever time you have.
Make exercise a part of your normal habits and schedule. The best workout is one that you can realistically get in on a consistent basis.
I’m striving to stay consistent with sharing new workouts, which is something I’ve been struggling with lately. Parenting young kids and working makes things pretty crazy at times. I’m glad that my kids and cats enjoy being around me so much. Even when they make working out a bit wild.
Now that I am getting back on track with consistent workouts, I’m also ready to start turning my attention back to nutrition. Less convenience food and more home cooked meals will be great for the entire family. We always have a home cooked dinner, but my other meals and snacks have included more processed or prepared foods than we normally have.
It takes some dedication and planning to get in healthy meals and workouts. Pre-kids I could always do a late night workout or fit in my exercise when it was convenient. Meal prep and cooking extra food for leftovers was simple. Now it takes a lot more intention and effort. It’s worth it though. I’m already noticing improvements in my energy level and motivation. When I move more, I have more energy and want to do more. It’s an all around win: Healthy habits beget more healthy habits.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout and the new workout I posted earlier this week. Let me know if you enjoyed it and if you had a favorite (or most challenging!) exercise from this routine. I added some fun new moves that I hope you enjoy.
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness TikTok: @BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
Grab your dumbbells for the first half of today’s workout. We are starting off strong with some lower body exercises that will also activate the muscles of your arms and back. No dumbbells? No problem, you can skip the dumbbells and do every exercise in this routine with bodyweight.
The second half of this workout focuses on strengthening your core and doesn’t require any equipment.
Exercise Tutorial for the Lower Body Movements with No Equipment (Note: I modified the knee to knee kickback for the full length video to include Warrior III): https://pin.it/5jb3gUt and Exercise Tutorial for the Core section of today’s workout: https://pin.it/GbbeVxr
*Note: I’m not sure why those links aren’t embedding, but I will work on that. They will bring you to my pinterest page, which includes many quick workout tutorials that I haven’t shared here yet.
Cardio:
I paired today’s workout with 30-Minutes on the treadmill. I combined two miles of incline walking (4.0 Speed and 10 Incline) plus a 1-Mile run at incline 2.
I haven’t been running at all lately. I start teaching a jogging kinesiology course next month, and I’m a large believer in practice what you preach. So I am re-incorporating running back into my routine.
Life Update:
I have been on a mission to re-build a consistent workout and filming schedule. For far too long I’ve been struggling with these aspects of my life. There comes a time when you have to accept that the craziness isn’t going to change, but you need to find a way to manage the crazy and make things happen. So that is what I’m working to do.
My focus is on filming and doing shorter workouts, because that is what fits best into my schedule right now. Trying to find time to film 40-Minute workouts just isn’t realistic for where I am right now. So you can expect to see more 10-20 Minute workouts here.
I started this website, focused on short workouts when I was in graduate school and working multiple jobs because I needed short workouts. My life has come full circle with that, and it’s time for some excellent short workouts to come back into the rotation.
Have fun with today’s workout! I filmed a Facebook Live workout that will be heading this way soon. So be sure to check back!
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness TikTok: @BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
Knee to Knee Kick Back (No Equipment)Knee to Knee Kick Back (No Equipment)Warrior Knee to Knee Kick BackWarrior Knee to Knee Kick BackWarrior Knee to Knee Kick BackPlie HopPlie HopFrogger ReachFrogger ReachFrogger ReachKnee Drive LungeKnee Drive LungePlank JackPlank JackSide V-UpSide V-UpInvisible LadderInvisible LadderProne Heel Reach
Welcome to today’s workout! I hope you are ready for a great Total Body Exercise routine. This workout is Low Impact. That means no Plyometrics/Jumping. It’s a quiet, apartment or hotel room friendly workout routine. It’s also very effective. You can find the full length workout video, and photo tutorial for the workout below.
I worked up a great sweat during this routine, and I think you will too. If you are looking for a more intense version of today’s workout you can do High Knees or Jump Rope during the Cardio Intervals. Remember, there is always a way to modify your workouts to fit your needs.
One round of this workout will take 30-minutes. I went through it once, but if you are looking for a longer workout, you can repeat it, or pair it with another routine.
Below you will find the full length workout video and workout breakdown, as well as a photo tutorial of each exercises.
Life Update
I have been struggling to establish a consistent routine for exercise and filming. As a result, I feel like I am not at my most fit or healthy. It can be really easy to get down on yourself when things aren’t going your way and unfortunately that’s how I have been feeling.
Until I needed to go to my mother’s house and get boxes out of her attic. I’m an avid reader and I have been storing huge boxes of books that I saved since middle school and up through college. As I carried heavy box after box down two flights of stairs, outside and up the road to my parking spot I realized something. I wasn’t even out of breath. When I got home from my mom’s house my husband was picking our son up from karate so I unloaded the car and carried everything in by myself with no problems. The next day I wasn’t even sore.
That experience was the exact reminder that I needed. I don’t work out to look a certain way, I work out to be strong, healthy and ready to be present and participate in my life. And even though I might not be at my strongest or fastest at this moment in time, I am incredibly healthy and able to participate in my life without limitations.
The last time I moved those boxes of books I was in my 20s, I had help, and I remember it being exhausting. This time, I did it alone and handled it easily. If you get down on yourself for being in a part of your life where consistency is challenging just do your best. Then remind yourself that all of the work you’ve put in has made you stronger, healthier and more capable. Recognize what you are able to do and how your life has improved functionally and keep moving forward.
I hope you have fun with today’s workout routine! Let me know what you think, how you feel, and if you’re willing to share: one way that exercise has helped you to improve your life, function or capabilities.
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness TikTok: @BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
I have a fantastic throwback workout on my To Do list for today. This routine is completed in standing and uses dumbbells for a few exercises. You can also choose to do the exercises with bodyweight if you don’t have access to equipment. You will find the workout video, breakdown and photo tutorial below.
I had a very active weekend, but didn’t get in any formal exercise routines. I’m excited to get back into my normal workout flow, although I enjoyed mixing it up with some other activities.
Staying Active in Erie
We just got back from a quick three day weekend getaway trip to Erie, PA. I tried to unplug as much as possible and just enjoy being with my family and it was wonderful. We did a lot of exploring. I found some beautiful places for yoga flows. The kids loved the Griff Slides (40-foot slides built into a hill side) and exploring on nature walks through the park.
At Presque Isle, we spent some time relaxing and playing on the beach and then rented a Surrey from The Yellow Bike Rental Company to explore a bit more. The kids loved sitting up front, and Jesse and I enjoyed pedaling around and staying active. We did a 6-Mile roundtrip loop from the bike rental site down to the Perry Monument and back. It was the perfect length to keep the kids engaged without getting bored.
We also took the kiddos on a boat ride for Scallywags Pirate Adventures. When I say the kids LOVED the pirate adventure I mean it with the all caps kind of love. From using water canons to battle a wicked pirate (who was a very good actor!) to a variety of other games and activities the kids had an amazing time.
This quick little weekend getaway was just what we needed. Lots of fun, and impromptu adventures. I’m feeling much more rested and energized. I also have a renewed sense of motivation. Sometimes a change of pace (or place in this case) is just what you need to become refreshed.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout. Keep an eye out for new ones! They are coming soon.
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness TikTok: @BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
Low Impact Jumping JacksCalf Raise CurlSquat PulseSingle Leg Chair ExtensionSingle Leg Chair Extension: Part 2Standing Cross Crunch: Part 1Standing Cross Crunch: Part 2Standing Side Heel Press: Part 1Standing Side Heel Press: Part 2Swaying Goddess: Part 1Swaying Goddess: Part 2Twist and ReachWarrior DeadliftSkierFlat Back to Triangle: Part 1Flat Back to Triangle: Part 2Sumo Twist: Part 1Sumo Twist: Part 2Squat Press: Part 1Squat Press: Part 2Lunge to Row: Part 1Lunge to Row: Part 2Bent Knee Press with Chest Press: Part 1Bent Knee Press with Chest Press: Part 2Single Leg SquatSide to Side Squat and Fly: Part 1Side to Side Squat and Fly: Part 2Chair Pose Press: Part 1Chair Pose Press: Part 2
Welcome to a fantastic total body workout! On the agenda for today I have a Tabata style workout. It’s split into five 4-minute sections, with a short rest break in between sections. As always, you will find the workout video and photo tutorial below.
During each four minute interval, push yourself to get in maximum repetitions. There is a lot of research to show that Tabata style workouts have a LOT of benefits. Some of the benefits of Tabata workouts include: increasing lean muscle mass, boosting both aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, burns fat, boosts your metabolism and is very time efficient.
Doing just one 4-minute round of tabata style exercises will boost your metabolism and fitness level. Today’s routine stacks five tabata workouts. Challenge yourself, while listening to your body. If you’ve been working out with me for a while you will probably be able to make it through all five tabatas. If you are new to working out you might want to pause the video and take longer breaks between rounds, or even do 1-2 Tabatas, and work your way to doing all five.
Here’s the thing about exercise: the goal is to make you stronger and healthier. So there is a fine line between pushing yourself to get stronger and build your endurance and going overboard. Learning to listen to your body is one of the most important skills you can develop. So push yourself. You’re probably stronger than you think you are.
Our family has been staying super busy and active. The kids have done a Mommy and Me Horse Camp, and my son is doing Martial Arts camp. There are a lot of different ways to stay healthy. Time outdoors, engaged in fun activities is one way our family keeps health fun.
I am still posting a lot of new workout tutorials on Pinterest. They have a new creator rewards program, which has been great for us. If you use Pinterest, please head over there and checkout the tutorials I’ve shared. The best way that you can help keep BenderFitness free is by sharing, liking, commenting, saving and overall interacting with our content.
I hope that you enjoy today’s workout. Let me know what you think about Tabata style workouts in the comments below.
Have fun!
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
I have a fantastic workout on the planner today. This 18-Minute HIIT routine is an amazing full body workout. We will be incorporating dumbbells into this routine, so be sure to grab some for resistance. If you don’t have dumbbells you can either grab something from around the house (water bottles work!) or do the exercises with body weight. Either way, you will be getting in a great workout. You will find the workout video and a photo tutorial below.
We have finished our flooring renovations throughout the house. We are still in the process of getting everything put back in order and re-arranged. Everything takes longer when you have young kids. We still need to stain and finish our staircase. It was previously carpeted, but we want to change the look. I have never stained any furniture before, so wish me luck and share any useful tips in the comments!
I hope that you enjoy today’s workout. I’ve been sharing some fun and quick workout tutorials on Pinterest, so be sure to check those out: https://pin.it/41bSorJ.
Have fun!
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
Repeat 1-3X Optional: Pair with 30-Minutes Cardio of Choice
High Knees: Run in place, focusing on keeping your core tight and engaged, and driving the knees as high as you can.
Burpee: Part 1: Start in Plank. Hold here or do one pushup.
Burpee: Part 2: Jump your feet forward from plank position. Lift your hands and get ready to spring up.
Burpee: Part 3: Jump as high as you can. Try to touch the ceiling (or sky if you are lucky enough to workout outside!)
Warrior Deadlift: Part 1: Hold Dumbbells in front of you, with your palms facing your body. Keep the core strong and engaged. Extend one leg behind you.
Warrior Deadlift: Part 2: Keep the back flat (most important part of this move!), hinge forward at the hips, let your arms hang in front of your body. Keep your hips closed and your knee & both hip bones pointed toward the floor. Lift from the glutes and hands strings to return to starting position.
Chair to Pendulum Squat & Press: Part 1: Hold a dumbbell at shoulder height. Keep both knees pressing together, and thighs squeezing. Sink your hips backward into chair pose (like you are about to sit on a chair).
Chair to Pendulum Squat & Press: Part 2: Press through your heels to come up from chair pose. Lift your leg into a pendulum swing, keeping your knee facing forward. At the same time, press the dumbbell toward the ceiling. Bring the weight back to your shoulders, and the legs together to return to chair pose.
Runner’s Lunge Lift: Part 1: Start with both feet together. Take a large step backward until you come into a runner’s lunge. Hold a dumbbell between both hands, at shoulder height. For the Runner’s Lunge keep the back leg straight, chest lifted, and your front thigh parallel with the ground.)
Runner’s Lunge Lift: Part 2: From the lunge position lean forward with a flat back. Keeping both feet on the floor, hold onto the weight and place it in front of your foot. Press through the heel of the front leg to lift your back leg/heel toward the ceiling. Use a controlled motion to return the back foot to the ground. Firmly grasp the weight, keeping the back flat, and return to starting position.
Modified Pistol Squat/Sit to Stand: Part 1: Start in standing with your glutes strongly engaged.
Modified Pistol Squat/Sit to Stand: Part 2: Extend one leg in front of you. Press your hip backwards to sit or tap the chair with your butt. Keep the core tight and press through your heel to return to standing.
Today I have an excellent lower body workout on the planner. You won’t need any equipment, but we will be working all of the muscles of the lower body, getting in some cardio, and still incorporating some movements for core strength and stability. You will find the workout video below.
I am joined in this workout by my sister, Kristen. This is a throwback workout, but I LOVE when I have the opportunity to exercise with my friends and family. It’s so wonderful when they see themselves growing stronger, more confident and filled with energy.
Working out with my sister.
Even though this is a throwback workout, I want to take a moment to give a shoutout to my sister. She is currently on a trip to accept an award for being one of the top 40 Under 40 in her industry. She applies her drive and work ethic to everything that she does, and I am a very proud big sister.
Kristen is someone who envisioned the life that she wanted and then worked to make those dreams a reality, and I love that she is being recognized for that. Often, people don’t get the recognition that they deserve, so if you are in that position right now whether it’s work, fitness or something else, I want you to take a moment and acknowledge your own accomplishments. If you know or see someone else doing something wonderful and you recognize their efforts, tell them!
You can also tell me in the comments what you are most proud about yourself for right now. It can be anything. I will be rooting along and cheering for you. I absolutely love celebrating people’s successes.
Our flooring project is almost done, so I will be back to filming new workouts. I was on a roll, but then my computer crashed (still isn’t fixed so I can’t access what was filmed) and we got crazy busy with our renovations. I’m looking forward to getting our house put back together and being back into a clutter free less cluttered space. Having everything pulled out of the bedrooms and into our main living areas is a study in patience and has tested my mess tolerance. It’s also a great motivator to purge and donate some of belongings.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout!
See you soon!
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
We have a fun workout with Jesse on the planner today! Jesse is very fun to workout with because he is high energy and manages to get me laughing during every workout (including the ones that I film, so if you hear snickering behind the camera it’s me).
I wrote this workout for one of my group classes. In class we start with a 10-Minute warm-up, go through two rounds of this workout, and finish with a 10-Minute Cool Down.
Below you will find the workout, plus a quick warm-up and cool down video. There is also a photo tutorial if you aren’t sure what the exercises are.
We are in the midst of some renovations around the house, which will hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) be done today. I was a bit overly optimistic that we would have time to do a live workout this weekend. We own to much stuff, so as we finish our renovations and re-situate our household I plan on purging and donating as much as I can.
My son running his Sonic 5K.
In the meantime, I’m focused on moving as much as possible and writing new workouts so we can go full steam ahead.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout with Jesse. I would love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
Welcome to today’s workout. This is a quick, 12-Minute Exercise Routine. It can be repeated for a longer workout, stacked with another exercise routine or done once if you are short on time. This routine is low impact and doesn’t include any jumping. As always, you will find the full length workout video and exercise breakdown below.
For today’s workout we are focused on lower body strength and mobility. We will be working the lower body through multiple ranges and planes of motion to recruit all of the muscles of your legs and glutes.
I am a fan of compound exercises, so although this workout is focused on the lower body you will still be getting in some strengthening for your arms, shoulders and core. I love multifunctional exercises that give you the most benefit during a short period of time.
I filmed this workout when I was newly postpartum. The process of re-building strength after having a baby is slow, and short workouts like this one were a huge part of regaining my strength. It was a fine tuned process of finding balance in getting in exercise, enough sleep, nursing and maintaining my own energy levels. I share this as a reminder, one round of exercise counts. If you can repeat the workout or stack it with another workout, excellent! If you only have time for one round, excellent!
Health and fitness are about consistency. You don’t workout once and achieve health and fitness for the rest of your life. It’s a continual process of making choices to actively maintain your health and wellness. At certain times in life that is more challenging than others. After having a baby (and during the toddler years!) it can be very difficult to carve out time for your own health, but everyone in the family will benefit when you do. So whether it’s a short workout or a longer exercise session try and get in some movement. If you find a favorite routine bookmark it and fit it in whenever you can.
I’m at a time period of my life where it’s very challenging to create time for myself, but I strive to make time anyway because I am a healthier, happier parent and human being when I do. I’m more patient, handle frustration better, and feel overall calmer and happier when I workout. That’s a positive and healthy dynamic that directly impacts my ability to parent to the best of my ability.
A huge motivator for my health is my family. I want to be strong, healthy and happy for them so I can be present with them, and teach them how to do the same.
My oldest. My youngest.
I hope you enjoy today’s workout! Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite move and if this quick routine challenged you. I would also love to hear about what motivates you to get in your workouts and consistently choose your own health and wellness. Understanding your motivations (and what doesn’t motivate you) is a powerful tool for consistency.
Melissa
You can find me on Social Media: @BenderFitness and on Facebook: @MelissaBenderFitness Pinterest: Pinterest.com/BenderFitness
If you want to help support BenderFitness so we can keep bringing you new workouts, your donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/BenderFitness.
1. Rainbow: Right 2. Rainbow: Left 3. Elevated Clam: Right 4. Elevated Clam: Left 5. Prone Heel Press 6. Beast Thigh Pulse: Right 7. Beast Thigh Pulse: Left 8. Extended Hydrant Circle: Right 9. Extended Hydrant Circle: Left 10. Down Dog Leg Lifts 11. Prone Cross Tap: Right 12. Prone Cross Tap: Left
