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Playful workouts

  • Cross Over’s: Attach a resistance band or jump rope around a pole and hold the handles so there is tension in the band. Arms should be at about shoulder height. Begin to pull both of the handles of the band across your body over to the left and then back to center. Repeat this 10 times and do the same on the left side 10 times. To modify, shorten your range, and to intensify, go as slow as you can to fatigue your muscles.
  • Hopscotch: Stand in front of a hopscotch sketch on the ground, or envision one if you don’t have one. Begin to do the hopscotch sequence of jumping on one foot and then on two and then on one again. It is this kind of 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 sequence. Try holding dumbbells underhand up by your shoulders to intensify the work out. As fast as you can, do three repetitions of the hopscotch for three sets.
  • Jump Ups: Find a platform at a park or a step in your house. Start standing with your feet hip width a part, arms relaxed by your sides. Create a slight bend in your knees and hop up onto the platform and drop into a squat. Step back and do it again 10 times for two sets. To intensify, you can hold dumbbells in your hands and to modify you can step up and down instead of jumping. If you are doing this at a park with wood chips or sand as the surface, the jumping won’t feel so hard on your joints!
  • — Eliza, University of Massachusetts Amherst