Squat burner {video}

Hi! How’s your October going so far? 😉

Pumpkin

I am so excited for:

-More apple picking

-Pumpkin carving party

-Pumpkin painting party

-Wildcat basketball Red and Blue game (I loooooove U of A b-ball)

-Sweaters and boots

-Halloween

-Apple cider

-Spending time with the fam

-The cool, brisk air. It’s the last month before my half marathon and it’s going to help my last bit of training!

-The Pilot’s b-day is coming up, too

Last night, we got to welcome someone new to the family: Luna! 

With luna

Such a sweet, snoozy pup.

Kyle and Meg went to Phoenix to pick her up yesterday, so naturally, we all went over there to hold her and be covered in puppy kisses. I can’t wait for Bell and Caro to meet their newest fur cousin. 

With luna2

(Liv and Luna, already BFFs)

The best surprise was going to madre’s to say hi afterwards, and enjoying a madre-cooked meal of chicken and brown rice casserole and veggies with the family. It was perfect.

Today, I thought it would be fun to start October with a bang (or.. burn) with one of my all-time favorite exercises: the squat. It works many muscles (glutes, quads, hamstrings, core), and is one of the most functional exercises you can do in your training. You will need to squat your entire life, so might as well be friends with it, eh? 

Here’s a 5-minute squat burner I filmed this afternoon during naptime.

Squat burner  1 of 1

The best part about it: bodyweight only! No equipment needed, so if you want to join me, hit play and let’s do it 🙂

Some tips:

-Make sure that you have proper squat form. Sit your weight back onto your heels, keep your chest lifted and watch your front knees to make sure they don’t extend past your toes.

-If you have knee, hip or joint concerns, I’d talk to a doc before trying this one out. If you feel comfortable performing squats without pain, I always recommend decreased range of motion (baby squats) to see how that feels. 

-Pair with cardio (like a few of these Tabata rounds or some dance cardio) for a short yet super effective workout! You can also repeat the squat video to complete it up to 3 times total- your legs will looooove it.

Hope you enjoy!

xoxo

Gina

New post on the Fashion page 🙂

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31 Comments

  1. Alissa on October 1, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    Awesome video! I love how you start it off too! This is my first video from you I have watched since your TurboFire reviews. Love the garage set up, it’s working! Thank you for the squat tips!

    • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on October 1, 2013 at 9:56 pm

      I don’t know if I’m just a weirdo or what, but I love squats! I find them so satisfying 🙂

      Luna looks like such a sweetie! A great addition to the family 🙂

  2. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on October 1, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    Love this!! I really need to work on squats – but I can’t do them just yet since I am still recovering from injury. Hopefully I’ll be able to add this in soon!

  3. Kelly on October 1, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Best dogs everrrrrr!!!! My husband and I have a Boston and he is our best bud that goes everywhere with us!!! They are little balls of energy that are typically bouncing off the walls with energy, but the best little snuggle buddies too! Enjoy the cutie!

  4. Hazel @ The Comfort Zone and Beyond on October 1, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    I’ve done your booty burner like 50 times so really looking forward to feeling the burn of this one 🙂

  5. Lindsay Parker on October 2, 2013 at 12:12 am

    I love those pants in your video. Brand?

    • Tracy on October 2, 2013 at 9:24 am

      I want to know about the pants too! So cute! And I love this video!!!

      • Fitnessista on October 3, 2013 at 12:18 am

        thank you!! moving comfort

    • Fitnessista on October 3, 2013 at 12:18 am

      thank you! they’re from moving comfort

  6. Julie on October 2, 2013 at 12:17 am

    Tried it out. It’s a good, back to basics workout!

  7. Rachel on October 2, 2013 at 1:20 am

    Awwwwwwwww Luna us such a cutie! Was she a rescue?

  8. Runner Girl Eats on October 2, 2013 at 6:45 am

    Great workout! I am a big fan of the squat and can’t wait to do this 🙂

  9. Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit on October 2, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Woohoo!!! Can’t wait to try this. I love squats!!

  10. Captain Competition on October 2, 2013 at 8:35 am

    Squats are a great workout (with or without weight). I love exercises that work so many muscle groups. Good recommendation!

  11. dotsie on October 2, 2013 at 8:36 am

    What kind of puppy is Luna? 🙂 too cute!

    Loooove squats!

  12. Amanda on October 2, 2013 at 9:03 am

    A boston!!!! I have a boston and they are the best little puppies. They are so sweet, and having amazing personalities. They fact that they are CRAZY is ok because of how loveable they are!

  13. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on October 2, 2013 at 10:02 am

    What a cute puppy!! I love fur babies. ?

  14. Maria on October 2, 2013 at 10:34 am

    I Love this! thank you for the great workout, simple and fast yet gets the job done!!

  15. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on October 2, 2013 at 10:56 am

    I love your pants!!!! Are they from Lulu or somewhere else? Super cute.

    • Fitnessista on October 3, 2013 at 12:18 am

      thank you! moving comfort sent them and i am in love

  16. Sarah on October 2, 2013 at 11:17 am

    LOVE the pants.

  17. Jen on October 2, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Is that a baby boston? we have a boston- love him & all his wildness so much. I’m pretty certain I may never have another type of breed 🙂

  18. Anna @ Fitness à la Anna on October 2, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Oh my gawd, boston terriers are my fav!!! So adorable, and with such great personalities. So wonderful 🙂

  19. Hayley on October 2, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Hi Gina
    I’m on the train so haven’t watched the vid yet but I just wanted to ask your view on something. I love classes and body weight work and do lots of squats and lunges. My mum said that she worries that I will ‘wear out my knees’. At first I scoffed at her but it has stuck in my mind as one of those tiny little worries….set my mind at rest so I can continue to ‘squat without fear’!
    Ps…love the babies…the furry one and the top knotted one! X

  20. Melodie on October 2, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Just did two rounds of the squat burner with one of your tabata rounds in between. Loved it! Thankful for quick and effective workouts i can sneak in during my kids naptime. Im now a sweaty mess and off to shower. What would i do without your little blog!? 🙂

  21. Lindsay on October 2, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Awesome squat burner. My legs were already sore, and now they’re on fiyah! 🙂

  22. Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food on October 2, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Aww Luna is precious!! Congrats on the new addition, she’s adorable.

  23. Christina R on October 2, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    The new addition to the familiar is soo cute and I can’t get over how adorable liv always looks! also – love the sneakers!! are they reeboks?

  24. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves on October 2, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Oof, my quads are burnin’ just watching that video! We do those plie squats with the forced arch in jazz class 🙂 Great tips and video, Gina!

  25. Meg @ A Dash of Meg on October 2, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    OK! How cute is Liv’s hair!?!?!? <3 LOVE

  26. Cara's Healthy Cravings on October 3, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    Just finished your Squat Burn, it worked! It is killer when you lift your heels up during some of the moves (in a good way). I love your cues and encouragement along the way, great job!

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