Build Strength and Fry Fat in 15 Minutes – Trainer Craig

This fast-paced circuit from trainer Craig Ballantyne, author of Turbulence Training, will get you sweating and looking fantastic

This fast-paced circuit from trainer Craig Ballantyne, author of Turbulence Training, alternates upper-and lower-body muscle groups to burn more calories in less time.

Do it: Complete as many reps of each exercise as you can in 30 seconds, without resting in between moves. Rest one minute, then repeat for a total of three or four sets. Use a weight that feels challenging (try starting with eight to 12 pounds).

Move 1: Dumbbell Squat

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides, palms facing you (a). Sit your hips back and bend your knees to lower your body as far as you can, keeping your back flat and core tight (b). Press through your heels to return to start. That’s one rep.

Move 2: Pushup

Place your hands on the floor just outside your shoulders, and extend your legs behind you, body forming a straight line from head to heels (a). Keeping your back flat, lower your body toward the floor (b). Straighten your arms to return to start. That’s one rep.

Move 3: Bent-Over Row

Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Bend forward from the hips until your chest is almost parallel to the floor, arms straight and weights in line with your shoulders(a). Pull the dumbbells up, squeezing your shoulder blades together (b). Pause, then return to start. That’s one rep.

Move 4: Goblet Split-Squat

Stand with your left foot two feet in front of your right, holding a dumbbell vertically in front of your chest with both hands (a). Bend your knees to lower your body until your left thigh is parallel and your shin is perpendicular to the floor (b). Straighten your legs to return to start. That’s one rep. Continue for 30 seconds, then switch sides and repeat.

Move 5: Pushup-Position Row

Get into a pushup position with your hands resting on dumbbells and your feet slightly more than hip-width apart (a). Brace your abs as you pull one dumbbell toward your waist (b). Pause, lower the weight, then repeat with the other arm. That’s one rep.

Move 6: Overhead Press

Hold a pair of dumbbells just outside your shoulders, palms facing each other (a). Press the weights directly overhead until your arms are completely straight (b). Pause, then slowly lower back to the starting position. That’s one rep.