Hitch Fit Living Magazine Volume 1 July/August 2015 | Page 11

2. GLUTE BRIDGE How To: Lie on your back with your arms at your sides with your knees bent and your feet on the floor. Lift your hips toward the ceiling. Hold for 1 count, and then lower back down. Repeat the lifts for 60 seconds, concentrating on squeezing your glutes at the top of the range of motion. Be careful not to overarch your spine. Challenge: To make this exercise more difficult, put a weighted plate or loaded barbell on your hips for more resistance. You can also try single leg ones by extending one leg at the top of the lift. Keep your thighs parallel and hold the lifted position for about 5 seconds. Keeping your hips up, place your foot back on the floor and then lower your hips. Repeat this exercise for 30 seconds; switch sides and do the move for another 30 seconds on the other leg. 3. SIDE TO SIDE LUNGES How To: With hands on hips and abs tight, take a wide step to one side keeping the opposite leg straight and driving those hips and butt back into a side lunge. Drive through your heel back to the starting position. Complete three sets of 10-15 reps on each leg. Challenge: Hold dumbbells down to your side or a barbell across your shoulders.