Text Book Fit

Whether you’re in high school or college, lugging text books around school is par for the course. Although they are filled with useful knowledge, the weight of those books can really weigh you down! I still own many of my college textbooks as they sit nice and pretty on my living room shelf. Even though I don’t use them in the traditional sense anymore, I still have found a way to make them… useful. So grab your old books, stack them up high, and get ready for a cardio blasting whirlwind of a routine.

PUSH UP AND OVER

Start in a plank position, with arms set wider than your shoulders. One hand is on the floor and one hand is on top of the text books. Perform one full push up by bending your elbows out to the side, lowering your body towards the ground. Then push yourself back to starting position. Inhale on the way down, and exhale on the way up. Climb your way up and over the books to the other side, and perform the same push up on other side. Then climb your way over to the other side and start again. Continue this as fast as you can for a total of 1 minute or at least 10 pushups each side.

SQUAT LIFT

Start by holding the books in your hands and stand hip width apart, toes pointing forward.
Inhale, as you sit back into a squat, as though you are sitting back into a chair, and keep energy in your heels. Get as low as possible while keeping your chest up and open.
*Watch that your knees never go over your toes. You should always be able to see your toes. Hold for one second. Keep your core engaged. Exhale, push into your heels and as you stand lift the books above your head. Immediately sit back down into your squat and repeat for a total of 1 minute.

JUMP UP AND OVER

Standing on one side of your stacked text books, feet slightly separated, bend the knees.
Leap into the air, up and over the books. Back and forth. Try to land as softly as possible. Try to get as high as possible. Keep core engaged. Continue jumping for a total of 1 minute.

TOE TAP

This move is hard depending on the how many books you have stacked. The higher the stack, the harder it is. Stand behind the stacked textbooks and place the right ball of your foot on top of the books. Begin jumping, switching feet as fast as possible. Try to keep the books still. Stay light on your feet. Keep core engaged. Go as fast as you can for 1 minute.

SQUAT WITH TORSO TWIST

Start standing with your feet wider than your hips and toes pointed forward. Hold the books in your hands. On an inhale, begin a squat, sitting as low as possible and bringing the books to the outside of your left foot. Keep your chest open. On an exhale, push into your heels and stand up while rotating the torso. You rotate by twisting the waistline, bringing the books go forward and up over your right shoulder. Try to keep your arms straight and core engaged. Return back down into your squat bringing the books to the outside of your left foot. Repeat this for 1 minute.

Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness.