These days with so many fitness programs flying into our lives at lightning speed, it’s incredibly difficult to even keep track of them all. When you want to find the best one for you, it becomes even more of a puzzle to figure out when trying to sort through all your choices. Some exercise programs focus on cardio, some exercise programs focus on strength building, some exercise programs focus on firming up your butt, and some exercise programs focus on the core.
But where do you go to find the exercise program that offers you the most efficient routine for your entire body to achieve optimal fitness results as soon as possible?
Well, unless you’ve been living under a rock for some time now, you have probably heard the phrase “HIIT” before. HIIT is an acronym that stands for “High Intensity Interval Training” and it is currently the most popular fitness program on the market today with an extreme focus on efficiency. The philosophy is to go as hard as you can with high intensity & effort on each exercise with quick and intense bursts of exercise, followed by brief recovery periods. The objective of this type of exercise program is to accelerate your heart-rate and burn more fat in as little time as possible.
Here is a sample 10 minute HIIT workout you can do without any equipment:
3 Rounds, 20 Seconds of Activity, and 10 Seconds of Rest
- Jumping Jacks
- Squats
- Butt Kickers
- Push-Ups
Simple, straight to the point, and easy to do anywhere, any time.
HIIT sounds pretty awesome, right? Well, there’s also GRIT!
If you’re fond of HIIT, then you’re going to love “GRIT” as an option to add to your fitness regimen to help you to maximize your fitness results immediately. GRIT workouts are becoming increasingly more well-known for achieving many results in the shortest amount of time.
GRIT workouts are a Les Mills 30-minute series product that features a variety of classes that primarily focuses on plyometric exercises, cardio, and strength training. Some people often are confused in trying to find a difference between HIIT and GRIT. Although they are similar, there are some key differences.
Some of the obvious differences in the two programs are the following:
GRIT training primarily features a set 30-minute routine whereas HIIT can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 60 minutes.
GRIT training includes more movements during the recovery periods whereas HIIT can utilize an idle or an active recovery, and offers a new & fresh challenge every 3 months.
Hands down, GRIT is the real deal and more people are falling in love with this program every single day. Gym, clubs, studios, and personal trainers are implementing this program into their facilities all across the world because simply put, it works and you can use it with little, some, or even no equipment at all.
Personally, I enjoy GRIT’s accessibility and versatility when combining their program with my fitness equipment such as the Total Gym Fit. Yes, you can even use your Total Gym Fit with GRIT and create an amazing home fitness routine!
Try the following 10 Minute GRIT workout routine with the Total Gym FIT, so that you can experience for yourself firsthand how this program works!
Sample Workout Routine on the Total Gym FIT
Maximum Effort on Each Exercise for 1 Minute
1. One Legged Squat Jump – Sit upright with your butt as close as possible to the bottom of the seat with one leg on the platform and the other leg lifted in the air to the side of the platform.
Proceed to squat on the one leg that is on the platform by going down slowly until you feel engagement in the quadriceps region of your leg, then explode up to lift your body back up to complete the rep. Repeat this sequence to complete the first rep and then you repeat the movement to complete the set. Don’t forget to switch sides after you complete a full set on one leg
2. High Knees (Active Recovery) – Stand up straight and place your feet about hip-width apart. Place your hands palms down facing the floor, hovering just above your belly button. Quickly drive your right knee up to meet your right hand. Bring the same leg back to the ground, and immediately bring the left knee coming up to meet your left hand. As you are alternating knees, you want to do it with a hopping motion, staying on the balls of your feet the entire time. Make sure you are engaging your abdominal muscles as each knee comes up to meet the hands.
3. One Legged Squat Jump and Alternate Sides – Sit upright with your butt as close as possible to the bottom of the seat with one leg on the platform and the other leg lifted in the air to the side of the platform. Proceed to squat on the one leg that is on the platform by going down slowly until you feel engagement in the quadriceps region of your leg, then explode up to lift your body back up to complete the rep, but instead of landing on the same foot, switch your legs in mid-air so that the other foot lands on the platform. Repeat this sequence by alternating legs to complete the first rep and repeat the movement to complete the set.
4. Squat Jumps (Active Recovery) – Start in a deep squat position with your hands by your side. From this position, explosively jump up as high as you can and reach up with your hands as you jump.
5. Incline Spiderman Push-Ups – Stand facing the foot platform of your Total Gym FIT. Place hands on the edge the foot platform, slightly wider than shoulder width. Position forefoot back from the foot platform with arms and body straight. Lower yourself down slowly and as you do, be sure to raise your knee up to your elbow on the same side of your body. Push your body up until arms are extended to complete the first rep, then you repeat this sequence on the other side of the body.
6. Incline Mountain Climbers (Active Recovery) – Begin in a push-up position so your hands are directly under your chest at shoulder width apart with straight arms, with your hands on the foot platform of the Total Gym Fit. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Lift your right foot off the floor and slowly raise your knee as close to your chest as you can. Return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg.
7. Dips – Position your hands shoulder-width apart on the foot platform. Slightly move with your legs extended out in front of you. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in your elbows to keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints. Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the foot platform. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, press down into the bench to straighten your elbows, returning to the starting position. This completes one rep. Keep your shoulders down as you lower and raise your body. Please note that you can slightly bend your legs to modify this exercise
8. Butt Kickers (Active Recovery) – Stand up straight and bring one heel off the floor towards your butt – then as that foot is dropping back to the ground, bring the other foot up while swinging the arms in a running motion.
9. Reverse Lunge and 1 Legged Power Jump – Stand up straight with one foot on the sliding board of the Total Gym FIT while the other foot is planted firmly on the ground. Squat down on the leg that is on the ground while the other foot is reverse lunging slowly on the slide board up the incline of your Total Gym Fit. As you return to the starting position, hop up on the foot that is on the ground. Repeat this sequence to complete the first rep and then you repeat the movement to complete the set. Don’t forget to switch to your other leg after completing the set on one leg.
10. Jump Lunges (Active Recovery) – Stand up straight with your feet staggered, with your left foot slightly in front of your right. With your core engaged, push off the bottom of both feet into a jump, switching the position of your feet in midair, landing in a basic lunge with your right leg in front. Without rest, repeat this movement alternating which leg is in front. Repeat this sequence to complete the first rep, and repeat the movement to complete the set.
So there you go! This is a fairly challenging GRIT workout that you can implement into your program today using your Total Gym FIT. Try this routine 3 days this week and push yourself to increase your number of reps each time.
Challenge yourself, push yourself, and come out of it on the other side a champion.
You can do it, you deserve it, and your fitness success awaits you – good luck!
