Oh yes, it's time for another exercise challenge! I hope you all have been enjoying them. It's been great for me to add a new move every week to my regular routine, like adding new tricks to my bank of moves in the gym or at home. My recent thing has been to do some moves at random while I'm not even exercising, mainly while watching TV, or as a break while I'm reading, or waiting for something to cook in the kitchen. Any way we can sqeeze in a few more reps/burn more calories!

Ok, so now that it is officially bathing suit/tank top season, I thought it would be good to have a chest/shoulder/arm move in here. It's from that self.com routine (when will I ever get over how much I liked it?) Jump Away the Jiggle:

Killer push-up
Killer Push Up illustrated from self.com
Works chest, shoulders, arms, abs Start in push-up position on knees. Bend elbows and lower torso until chest is about 6 inches above floor. Contract abs and forcefully push off palms, propelling body off floor as high as you can (as shown). Drop gently back onto hands and continue pushing up and down for one minute.

Make sure when you are done with these to really really stretch out your chest. The first time I did these I totally spaced and really felt sorry for myself the day after. If these aren't really your thing, I have posted a few variations on the basic push-up below to try instead, or in addition to it:

These are from an article in Men's Fitness, Nov 2003

2| Incline: Now place your hands on a bench that is 18 to 28 inches high (2a). Perform another set of push-ups, lowering your chest only to the level where it is even with your hands (2b). This position emphasizes your lower chest.

* Variation: Balance your hands on a stability ball instead of a bench. This balancing effort will recruit more muscle fibers in your upper body and will also challenge the core muscles of your abdomen and lower back.

3| Decline: Turn around and place your feet on the bench and your hands on the floor (3a). Lower your chest until it almost touches the floor (3b). This position emphasizes your upper chest and the front of your shoulders.

* Variation: Balance your feet on a stability ball so your core muscles work to keep your body in line.

Alrighty, that's it for now! Keep your workout logs coming. I have picked up some great moves from them and ideas. And Minnie, thanks for sharing that yogalates move last week. I LOVED doing it this week and will keep it in my rotation for sure

Stay happy and stay fit!