Choose one

Cardio Options

For moderate cardio, the pace should feel like: "I'm working, but I can still talk."

Brisk walking Stationary bike Outdoor cycling Swimming Elliptical Slow jogging Treadmill walking Water aerobics

Overview

Weekly Plan

Day 1

Full-body Strength + Moderate Cardio

45-60 min

Warm-up

5-10 min easy walking, cycling, or elliptical.

Strength

  1. Goblet squat exercise demonstration
    1

    Squat or Goblet Squat

    3 x 10-12

  2. Knee push-up exercise demonstration
    2

    Wall, Knee, or Regular Push-up

    3 x 8-12

  3. Single-arm dumbbell row exercise demonstration
    3

    Single-arm Dumbbell Row

    3 x 10-12 each side

  4. Lying dumbbell leg curl exercise demonstration
    4

    Lying Dumbbell Leg Curl

    3 x 10-12

  5. Farmer's walk exercise demonstration
    5

    Farmer's Walk

    3 x 30 sec

  6. Plank exercise demonstration
    6

    Plank

    3 x 20-30 sec

Cardio

20-25 min brisk walk, bike, swim, elliptical, or treadmill walk.

Day 2

Intervals + Steady Cardio

45-60 min

Warm-up

5-10 min at an easy pace.

8 rounds 20 sec faster effort
Between rounds 40 sec easy recovery
Finish 15-25 min easy cardio

Best choices: stationary bike, treadmill walk, elliptical, or swimming.

Day 3

Strength + Mobility/Balance

~60 min

Warm-up

5-10 min at an easy pace.

Strength

  1. Glute bridge exercise demonstration
    1

    Glute Bridge

    3 x 10-15

  2. Dumbbell chest press exercise demonstration
    2

    Dumbbell Chest Press

    3 x 10-12

  3. Step-up exercise demonstration
    3

    Step-ups

    3 x 10 each leg

  4. Curtsey squat exercise demonstration
    4

    Curtsey Squat

    3 x 8-10 each leg

  5. Reverse hyperextension exercise demonstration
    5

    Reverse Hyperextension

    3 x 10-12

  6. Dead bug exercise demonstration
    6

    Dead Bug or Bird Dog

    3 x 8-10 each side

Yoga

10-15 min gentle yoga.

Day 4

Low-impact Intervals or Moderate Cardio

25-30 min

Cardio

Choose brisk walking, cycling, swimming, elliptical, treadmill walking, or water aerobics.

Keep the pace comfortable and steady.

Day 5

Full-body Strength

45-60 min

Warm-up

5-10 min at an easy pace.

Strength

  1. Supported split squat exercise demonstration
    1

    Lunges or Supported Split Squats

    3 x 8-10 each leg

  2. Overhead dumbbell press exercise demonstration
    2

    Overhead Dumbbell Press

    3 x 10-12

  3. Dumbbell row exercise demonstration
    3

    Dumbbell Row or Lat Pulldown

    3 x 10-12

  4. Bent-over dumbbell triceps kickback exercise demonstration
    4

    Dumbbell Triceps Kickback

    3 x 10-12

  5. Side plank exercise demonstration
    5

    Side Plank

    2-3 x 20 sec each side

  6. Dead hang exercise demonstration
    6

    Dead Hang

    2-3 x 15-30 sec

Balance

Choose 2: single-leg balance, heel-to-toe walk, bird dog, or standing toe taps.

Day 6

Longer Intervals or Zone 2 Cardio

30-40 min
Option A

Gentle Intervals

3 min faster pace, then 3 min easy pace. Repeat 3-4 times.

Best choices: bike, elliptical, treadmill walk, or swimming.

Option B

Longer Easy Cardio

30-40 min steady walking, cycling, swimming, or elliptical.

Day 7

Active Recovery

35-50 min

Easy Movement

15-20 min gentle walk or light stretching.

Yoga

15-25 min gentle yoga focused on breathing, balance, and relaxation.

Cat-cow Child's pose Legs-up-the-wall Cobra Seated twist Cobbler's pose Tree pose

Keep in mind

Simple Rules

Source image library

Exercise Image Library

Dumbbell chest press
Dumbbell Chest Press
Overhead dumbbell press
Overhead Dumbbell Press
Curtsey squat
Curtsey Squat
Glute bridge
Glute Bridge
Lying dumbbell leg curl
Lying Dumbbell Leg Curl
Goblet squat exercise demonstration
Goblet Squat
Goblet squat exercise demonstration
Goblet Squat
Knee push-ups
Knee Push-ups
Bent-over dumbbell triceps kickback
Dumbbell Triceps Kickback
Dead hang
Dead Hang
Reverse hyperextension
Reverse Hyperextension
Plank
Plank
Dead bug
Dead Bug
Step-ups
Step-ups
Dumbbell row
Dumbbell Row
Side plank
Side Plank
Split squats
Split Squats
Farmer's walk
Farmer's Walk