Fat Burn: Boost Metabolism with Skater Jumps
Channel your inner ballerina with Side Curtsy Jumps, also called Skater Jumps, which blast calories by revving up your heart rate and working to sculpt your lower body (think stubborn inner and outer thighs).
1 Benefits
By adding a ballet-inspired movement to a traditional lower body exercise (we’re talking about you, lateral pliés!) you’ll experience toning in your lower body.
2 Step-by-Step Guide
- Start in Mountain Pose (standing at the front of your mat, feet together, legs active and arms by your sides).
- Push off gently, or “jump” with your right foot, coming into a traditional Skater Jump Pose with your right leg crossing just behind your left. (Make sure that when your right toes tap the floor behind you, you also tap your fingers to the front of your mat.)
- Now “jump” with your left foot, coming into a traditional Skater Jump Pose with your left leg crossing just behind your right.
- Follow this jumping sequence a total of 20 times (10 times per side).
3 Focus Areas
- Boosts your metabolism
- Strengthens and tones your core, glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves
- Improves your balance
4 Skater Jumps - Tips
Engaging your core, keeping your back straight and your upper body lengthened are the secrets to nailing this workout. For those of you with any knee issues, we recommend shortening this jumping sequence in half (5 times per side) to avoid any unnecessary strain.
5 Variations
Although this exercise is designed using your own body weight, feel free to add light kettlebells or dumbbells if you prefer an extra cardio challenge.
