Cupid’s go-to Valentine’s Day workout

valentines+day+workout+video

Hannah Olson / Iowa State Daily

valentines day workout video

Amanda Wymore

Valentine’s Day: a Hallmark day when people are pressured into buying lots of chocolate and expensive dinners. But you don’t have to worry about treating yourself when you can do this quick workout before getting ready for your lovey-dovey night.

Do each of these moves twice for 14 reps, but make sure to stretch and drink plenty of water, because it’s about to get hot in here.

One-minute run

To get your heart beating, run for one minute, but only run in place so you don’t run away with my heart.

Pick-up line squats

“My love for you is deeper than these squats.”

Start with you feet shoulder-width apart. Bend down in to a seated position, keeping your hips stacked over your knees, and make sure your knees do not pass over your ankles. Hold the seated position for a few seconds and return to the standing position.

Russian twists

Do these to get rid of your “love handles.”

Lie down on the floor, placing your feet a few inches above the ground, legs bent at the knee. Elevate your upper body so it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Twist your torso to one side until your clasped hands touch the ground next to you. Hold the contraction for a second and move back to the starting position. Now move to the opposite side, performing the same techniques.

XOXO shoulder circuit

The first of this two-move series is the X portion. For this, the start position is creating an X with your arms across your chest. Then you will open them up diagonally across from each other, alternating with each move. Imagine you are pushing your arms out with resistance. This will work the shoulders and the back.

For the second move, begin with your arms extended to the sides at shoulder height with your palms facing the ground. Cross them in front of you, making sure your arms stay at shoulder height. Alternate each hand that is on top. We are targeting the back of the arms during this move. 

Single lady lunges

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Love yourself and especially your legs by doing this lunge move. Begin by keeping the upper body straight, with your shoulders back, keeping your core engaged. Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are at a 90-degree angle. Come back up to the standing position, and lunge forward with the other leg. 

Kiss the floor pushups 

This is a more complicated move but probably not as complicated as your last relationship. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands wider than shoulder-width apart. Now lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor. Press your upper body back up to the starting position.

Disclaimer: Do not actually kiss the floor during this workout. This holiday is not about contracting diseases.

Chocolate chewers tricep curls

For this position, bend the elbows and keep your arms behind you. Bring your forearms forward as if you’re trying to stuff your face with some delicious chocolate. We are only working through the elbow joint, isolating the triceps.

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