\n Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness and nutrition courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you \n >”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>sign up for Outside+.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Functional workouts tend to allow for some creativity \u2014 which is perfect when you find yourself trying to figure out how to train around a freak injury.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the position certified health coach,\u00a0personal trainer\u00a0and IT health-care consultant Kelly Von Schleis found herself in following an Alaskan adventure this spring. \u201cI was on a heli-skiing trip and ended up breaking my foot in four places,\u201d she says. Relentlessly active, she set out to figure out the best way to stay in shape while recovering from her surgery in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cI became very focused on identifying the types of workouts I could still perform, since I was restricted from putting weight on my foot post-surgery \u2014 so I decided to add extra emphasis on my arm workouts and core-strengthening exercises,\u201d she says. \u201cSince my injury, I\u2019ve been raking in the compliments on my arms, so I think I\u2019ve come across something special here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following functional workout crushes boredom and delivers pulse-pounding action with three circuits made up of combination-style exercises. You\u2019ll do multiple related movements within each repetition \u2014 for instance, incline push-ups with an explosive \u201cup\u201d phase or bench dips that add in a one-leg-at-a-time knee crunch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cWomen often worry about building \u2018too much muscle\u2019 in their arms \u2014 and I\u2019ll admit, I\u2019m one of them \u2014 but if you keep your reps high, around 12 to 15 per set, you focus more on muscle tightening and giving them shape,\u201d she says. \u201cHowever, I know some women need to build some lean muscle in their arms as a foundation, so I\u2019ve included a second training option where you lower the reps to eight to 10 per set and work closer to the maximum weight you can handle for those reps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Equipment Required:<\/b>\u00a0Bench (also can be a chair or couch), dumbbells (Von Schleis recommends adjustable dumbbells to maximize results \u2014 her favorite are by\u00a0Core Home Fitness) and an optional sandbag for the triceps dips.<\/p>\n
Kelly Von Schleis\u2019 Functional Arm Workout Warm-Up<\/h2>\n
Suggested Warm-Up:<\/b> Do the following circuit of bodyweight moves.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
Exercise<\/td>\n
Reps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
\n
Punches Side to Side<\/td>\n
20 (10 per side)\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Arm Circles (with option to add a squat in between circles)\t<\/td>\n
10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Jumping Jacks \t\t<\/td>\n
20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Plank Shoulder Taps<\/td>\n
20 (10 per shoulder)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Mountain Climbers <\/td>\n
20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Kelly Von Schleis\u2019 Functional Arm Workout<\/b><\/h2>\n
After your warm-up, you\u2019ll do three circuits made up of combination exercises (two movements per single exercise rep), doing each superset twice through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Do three rounds of each mini circuit listed below \u2014 keep your rest periods between circuits to 30 to 60 seconds (just enough to catch your breath and recover enough strength to continue) if you\u2019re toning and one to two minutes if you\u2019re working with heavier weights and lower rep ranges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The workout also includes an optional burnout superset at the end pairing three functional faves: woodchops, mountain climbers and planks.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
Exercise<\/td>\n
Toning Reps<\/td>\n
Building Reps\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
\n
Plyo\u00a0Incline Push-Up \t<\/td>\n
10-12<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Triceps Dip + Knee Crunch<\/td>\n
12-14<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Hammer Curl + Wide Biceps Curl<\/td>\n
12-15<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Bird-Dog Row + Triceps Kickback\t<\/td>\n
12-15<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Front Raise + Upright Row<\/td>\n
12-15<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Narrow Chest Press + Ab Toe Touch\u00a0+\u00a0Skullcrusher\u00a0<\/td>\n
12-15<\/td>\n
8-10\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
As an optional finisher, Von Schleis<\/i> suggests a three-round triple set of half-kneeling woodchops (eight to 10 per side for building muscle, 12 to 15 per side for toning), paired with 20 mountain climbers and one minute of plank holds.<\/i><\/p>\n