Finisher Approach # 1 – Gauntlets — The 3 Best “Twists” to Finish Your Workouts

5 Extra Minutes To Faster Fat Burning — The 3 Best “Twists” to Finish Your Workouts

Finisher Approach # 1 – Gauntlets

A gauntlet is just my fancy name for when you assign a certain exercise as the “gauntlet” within a circuit.

So you’ll perform the gauntlet exercise followed by a new exercise, then back to the gauntlet exercise, etc.

You’re craving to try one now, aren’t you? I got you covered. Let’s hit the “Swingin’ the Abs” finishers…

“Swingin’ the Abs” Finisher

Do the following circuit ONE time, resting only when needed.

• KB or DB Swings (20 reps)
• Pushup/X-Body Mountain Climber Combo (12 reps)
• KB or DB Swings (20 reps)
• Plank to Tricep Extensions (12 reps)
• KB or DB Swings (20 reps)
• Hand Step-ups (12 reps)
• KB or DB Swings (20 reps)

See how the KB/DB Swings act as the “gauntlet” exercise?

Here are some coaching cues for each of the exercises in this routine.

Pushup/X-Body Mountain Climber Combo

• Start in the pushup position with your abs braced.
• Perform a pushup by lowering yourself to the ground, keeping a straight line from the crown of your head to your heels.
• Push through your hands to return to the starting position.
• Perform an X-Body Mountain Climber by bringing one knee towards the opposite elbow while keeping your body in a straight line. Repeat on the other side.
• That’s one rep – repeat as necessary.

Plank to Tricep Extension

• Raise your body in a straight line and rest your weight on your elbows and toes, so your body hovers over the mat.
• Keep your back straight and your hips up. Hold (brace) your abs tight. Contract them as if someone were about to punch you in the stomach, but remember to breathe normally.
• Now contract your triceps and press your palms into the ground to push your body up to the push-up position. Take 2 seconds to do it. It should be slow and deliberate.
• Slowly return to the start position.

Hand Step-ups

• In the pushup position, place your hands on a small step.
• Bring your right hand down to the ground while maintaining a straight line with your body. Don’t let your hips sag.
• Bring the left hand down.
• Then bring the right hand back up to the step followed by the left hand.

Those hand step-ups are NO joke! They look easy on paper, but they’ll challenge your abs in a whole new way.