Fat Loss

Stretch Yourself

Sometimes less really is more. A stretch band, for example, weighs slightly less than a sock, but that doesn’t mean it can’t give you a good workout. The effort comes in stretching these giant rubber bands out of shape, and while you’re never going to reach exhaustion after a single rep, doing 30 of one exercise and then moving on instantly to another can be surprisingly tough.

This 30-minute circuit is fast and furious. It raises your heart rate and burns calories while toning almost every muscle in your body – just make sure you keep your muscles tense throughout each exercise. And as you can slip a stretch band into your pocket, you can do it anywhere.

‘Stretch bands can provide you with a great calorie-burning workout,’ agrees Sean Singleton, expertise coach at David Lloyd Leisure. ‘The constant resistance taxes your muscles through their full range of motion to improve your joint stabilisation, muscular endurance and your body’s ability to decelerate forces properly.’

How to do this workout
All you need is a stretch band or stretch tube with handles for easier use. Do the following exercises in order, taking no rest between stations. Once you’ve completed one circuit, rest for two minutes before going around again. You should complete at least two circuits but you can do up to four if you’re feeling particularly strong. Perform the workout three times a week for four weeks, leaving at least one day between workouts.

Sean Singleton is an expertise coach at David Lloyd Leisure and educates fitness coaches and personal trainers. For your nearest David Lloyd Leisure gym visit www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk or phone 020 8573 9378.