Urban Erg

Unconventional fitness, extraordinary gains.

All Core

Floor Core:


Alternate V - up: Lie on flat on your Back,  arms extended over your head and your legs flat. Lift one leg up to 60 degrees at the same time bring the opposite side arm up over your head and touch the shin to the vertical leg. Lower each but keep them 3 to 6 inches off the ground then lift the opposite side.

Alternating leg plank: Starting in the prone position, push up to either to your forearms or into the push up position. Keeping your torso firm, lift one foot off the ground 6" and hold. Then switch feet.

Crunches: Sitting on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, cross your arms over your chest. With your shoulders  slightly off the ground, lift up approximately 6 inches and lower yourself back down.

Hip Raises: Lie prone on the floor. Arms extended by your side, palm facing down. Elevate your legs to 90 degrees. Reach to the ceiling with your feet by contacting your lower abdominal muscles, allowing your hips to raise off the ground.

Russian twist: Seated with your knees bent and heels in contact with the ground. Lean back until you feel your stomach muscles engage and stabilize your body. With arms out stretched, hold a medicine ball or a weight, rotate as far to the right and touch the ground behind you. Note: make sure your entire torso rotates. Let your eyes follow the weight. - Come back to the middle then left.

Scullers: In the seated position with your knees bent, feet 3" off the  ground, extend and open your arms wide.  Then straighten your legs and bend your arms at the elbow so you finish with your thumbs at your torso.

Side crunch: Lie on your right side. Place your legs on top of each other and bend your knees. Place your left hand behind your head, lift your shoulders off the ground, pointing your left elbow toward your knees on the right. Repeat on opposite side.

Side- Middle-Side: Start In the seated position with your knees bent , feet off the ground, arms resting by your side. Shift your weight to one side. Stabilize your body in this position. Extend then draw your knees back toward your torso and crunch your upper body towards your knees. Repeat the same motion in the middle then on the other side.

Side Plank: Lie on your side. Place your feet on top of each other. With your bottom hand in line with your shoulder, press up. Keep your torso in line with your shoulders and feet. Make sure your hips stay firm.

Squirmies: Lie on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Your arms are by your side with your palms facing down. Alternate sliding your palms on the ground and touch your heels. The bend and contract from your torso.

Straight leg side to side: Lie on your back with your legs at 90 degrees, your arms out to your side with your palms facing down. Keeping the insoles of your feet together, lower your legato the side within 6 inches of the ground. Then to the other side.

Straight leg V - up: Lie flat on your back with your arms stretched over your head. Lift arms and legs at the same time meeting at 90 degrees. Lower yourself back down keeping your legs 6 inches from the ground and your shoulders off the ground.

Superman:
In the prone position, stretch your hands out over your head, legs straight. Lift your arms and knees off the ground and hold.

Toes touches:
Lie flat on your back with your legs at 90 degrees. Extend your arms and place the palms of your hands on your shins with your shoulders off the ground. With each rep, contract your abs so that your hands side up toward your toes.

V - ups: Lie on your back, legs straight  with your arms extended over your head. Fold your body upward by lifting your legs and stretching your arms toward your toes.

30 / 60/ 90:  The exercise is a series of movements that your legs will do in the 30-degree and 60-degree positions. The movements include flutter kicks,  bicycles, cross-overs and a static hold. Lie on the floor with your back flat. Your arms are by your side with palms facing down. Lift your legs approximately 6" ( 30 degrees) and 18" ( 60 degrees), 90" is perpendicular to your torso. - Flutter kick: small vertical kicks. Bicycle kick: small horizontal pedal motion. Cross over: cross right leg over the top left on the horizontal plane.

Physio ball:


Back extensions (physio ball): Rest your hips and thighs against the physio  ball. Transfer your body weight far enough forward to keep your balance yet able to pivot from your hips. Lower your torso then raise back up so that your back is straight. Your hands can rest behind your back.


Crunches (physio ball): Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor, cross your arms over your chest. Lean back so that your torso is at a 30 degree angle to the ball. Stabilize. Now lift your shoulders approximately 6 inches and lower yourself back down. Keeping your torso firm.


Dips (physio ball): Start with the ball behind you. Squat down and place your hands on the ball with your finger tips facing the floor. Walk your feet out so that your shins are perpendicular to the floor. Keeping your elbows close to your body, drop your hips down towards the floor. Push back up through your arms.


Drop and pop (physio ball): Place your hands on the ball approximately shoulder width apart. Walk your feet back so that your torsion is flat, arms are extended. The ball is just below your chest. Lift your hands off the ball so that your upper chest drops to the ball. Your body will bounce up approximately 4-6". Quickly place your hands back on the ball and push back up to the starting position. (This exercise requires you to trust your reflexes.)


Full sit-ups w/ twist (physio ball): Seated on the ball with your feet planted firmly up the floor, lean your torso back to 45 degree and place your hands behind your head with your elbows facing out. Lift your torso back to vertical, as you reach vertical, twist your torso so that your left elbow points to your right knee, back to the middle then right elbow to your left knee.






Hamstring curls (physio ball):
Lie on your back, arms extended by your side, palms facing down. Place your feet your the ball with your legs extended.  Press your feet into the ball, this lifts your hips off the ground, pull the ball towards your by bending your knees, hipping your hips up. Extend your legs and lower your hips. Repeat.



Hip raises (physio ball):
Lie prone on the floor. Arms extended by your side, palm facing down. Place your calves on top of the ball, knees slight bent. Push through the ball, lifting your hips from the ground. Your upper back will remain flat on the floor. Lower and repeat.


Kick-ins (physio ball):
Start in the seated position with knees bent. Place the ball at your feet. Grip the side the the ball with the insoles of your feet. Lean back so that your torso is 45 degree angle to the floor. Your arms are extended with your palms down. Lift the ball with your bent legs the straighten. Keeping the ball 6-8 inches off the ground draw the ball back by bending your knees. Keep the ball off the ground for both the contraction and the extension of your legs.


Knee balance (physio ball): In the standing position with the physio ball to your side. Place one hand on the ball and the opposite leg, knee bent on the ball. (Until you feel comfortable with your balance, make sure you can hold onto something) Once your first knee is on the ball, use your hands to keep it stable, then bend your other leg and put place it on the ball. (Again, you can hold onto something when your are beginning this exercise) Once you become comfortable with both knee on the ball, your hips low and by your feet, practice lifting your hips up. In this position your thighs will be perpendicular to the ground and you have raise your center of gravity. 




Knees to chest (physio ball):  Lie with your chest on the physio ball. Walk your hands out so that your shins are on top of the ball. Extend your arms and place your hands shoulder width apart and in line with your chest. Now draw the ball toward you. Your knees moves toward your chin, thigh touch your chest and your back remains flat. Push back out by straightening your legs.


Pike (physio ball): Start in the push up position with your feet on top of the ball. Lift your hips up to the ceiling and drawing the ball closer to your chest. Keep your back straight and firm (Pike.) The down motion is done by lowering your hips and pushing your feet away from your chest. Return to the push up position.




Plank (feet on physio ball): Lie with your chest on the ball. Walk your hands out in front until they are parallel with your shoulders and there is a straight line between your feet your your head. Keep your torso firm.

Push up (physio ball): Lie with your chest on the physio ball. Walk your hands out so that your feet are on top of the ball. Extend your arms and place your hands shoulder width apart and in line with your chest.  Keeping your torso firm, lower your chest to 4-8" from the ground. Press back up.


Russian twist (physio ball): Seated on the physio ball, feet placed flat on the floor.  Your torso  is at 30 degrees, extend your arms and interlace your fingers. With arms extended, move your  arms from side to side, twisting at the torso.



Seated single leg balance (physio ball):
Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. Raise one leg so that is it parallel to the floor. Arms out to the side.




Shoulder roll out (physio ball): Start on your knees and place your hands on the ball, arms extended. Roll the ball out in front of you, keeping your hips parallel with the with your torso. Draw the ball back by squeezing your abs. 


Side crunches (physio ball):
Sit on the ball with one hip as the contact point. Stabilize on the ball with foot of the bottom leg making firm contact with the floor.  Your top leg is crossed over the bottom leg so that you can stabilize on your side. Place your hands behind your head, elbows out. Lower your torso so that your bottom shoulder is 4-6 inches from the ball. Lift up, approximately 8 inches, bend at the waist, leading with your top elbow.


Single arm roll out (physio ball):
Start on your knees and place your hand on the ball, arms extended. Roll the ball out in front of you, keeping your hips parallel with the with your torso. Draw the ball back by squeezing your abs.


Single leg crunch (physio ball): Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor, cross your arms over your chest. Lean back so that your torso is at a 30 degree angle to the ball. Stabilize. Lift one foot off the ground 8-12 inches.  Now lift your shoulders approximately 6 inches and lower yourself back down. Keeping your torso firm. Switch feet.


Single leg hip extensions (physio ball):Lie on your back with one heel on top of the physio ball, the other foot flat on the ground, knees slightly bent. Your arms extended with palms facing on the ground. Lift your hips off the floor by pressing your heel into the ball. Lower yourself back down.


Single leg knee-to-chest (physio ball):
Lie with your chest on the physio ball. Walk your hands out so that your shins are on top of the ball. Extend your arms and place your hands shoulder width apart and in line with your chest. Lift one leg off the ball and stabilize. Now draw the ball toward you. Your knee moves toward your chin and your back remains flat. Push back out by straightening your leg.


Single leg plank ( physio ball): Place your shins on the top of the physio ball. Extended your body so that you have a straight line from your toes to your head. Your hands are shoulder width apart, palms on the ground and in line with your chest.  Lift one leg  6" off the ball and hold. Remember to switch feet.



Single leg push ups (physio ball): Lie with your chest on the physio ball. Walk your hands out so that your feet are on top of the ball. Extend your arms and place your hands shoulder width apart and in line with your chest. Once in position, lift one foot 6 inches off the ball.  Keeping your torso firm, lower your chest to 4-8" from the ground. Press back up. Switch

.


Single leg wall squat (physio ball):
Place a physio ball against the wall, turn your back to the wall and press your mid back against the ball. Lower your hips so that your thighs are parallel to the ground and your shins are perpendicular. Now lift one foot. Push through your heel back up to the standing position. Repeat


Skiers (physio ball): Place your torso on the ball, face down. Walk your hands out until you are in the push up position. Bend your knees. Alternate twisting your hips from right to left with your knees bent.


Wall sit (physio ball):
Place a physio ball against the wall, turn your back to the wall and press your mid back against the ball. Lower your hips so that your thighs are parallel to the ground and your shins are perpendicular. Keep your back firm. Hold for the desired effect. 




Wall squats (physio ball): Place a physio ball against the wall, turn your back to the wall and press your mid back against the ball. Lower your hips so that your thighs are parallel to the ground and your shins are perpendicular. Push back up to the standing position. Repeat





Weighted back extensions (physio ball): Rest your hips and thighs against the physio  ball. Transfer your body weight far enough forward to keep your balance yet able to pivot from your hips. Once stabilized, grab a weight that is lying next to you and cradle next to your chest or behind your neck.  Lower your torso then raise back up so that your back is straight.


Partner:


Belly toss: Athlete 1 lies on the floor in the supine position, arms slightly bent and legs extended. Athlete 2 stands 5-6 feet away facing athletes 1. Athlete 2 rolls a medicine ball to athlete 1. Athlete 1 catches the ball in front of their face, lifting legs and upper torso off the ground, tosses the ball back to athlete 2.


Full sit up ball passes: Athlete 1 sits on the ground with knees bent and torso 45 edge angle. Athlete 2 stands 5-6 feet away and tosses a medicine ball to athlete 1. Athlete 1 catches the ball, then extends their arms over their head, lowers their torso toward the ground and touches the ball to the ground. keeping their arms extended, this athlete sits up and at the 90 degree position tosses the ball back to athlete 2.


Partner squats: Two athletes stand back to back and hook each others elbows. This will lock the athletes together. Each athlete will then walk their feet out away from their body approximately 2-3 feet, press your backs firm against each other. Lower your body ( think sitting down on a chair) up each athlete's legs are parallel  to the ground and shins perpendicular. Push through the heel to initiate the up motion.






Partner leg toss: Athlete 1 lies in the supine position on the floor, legs extended with arms bent and hands holding onto the shins of athlete 2. Athlete 2 straddles the shoulders of athlete 1. Athlete 1 lifts their legs 90 degrees so that athlete 2  can easy reach their ankles. Athlete 2 will then randomly toss athlete 1's towards the ground,(using multiple directions creates a better exercise.)  Athlete 1 stops the momentum with in 6" from the ground then raises their legs back up for  another toss.  


Body:



Bent over row: Bend your knees slightly and pivot at the hips so that your chest is facing the ground and your back is straight. Your arms are stretched, with weight in your hands. Keeping your back straight draw your arms up to your upper waist.


Dips: Find a chair or a bench, with your back to this item place your hands on the edge. Lower your body so that your elbows are bent and next  to your body, shins perpendicular to the ground. Your hips will be lower than your knees. Press up through your hands and arms.


Isometric squat: Stand with your feet shoulder width part, hands behind your back. Lower down until your legs are parallel to the ground and shins are perpendicular to the ground. Keep chest up and weight in your heels.  Hold this position for stated time.


Push ups: Start in the prone position, place you hands slightly under your body, shoulder width apart. Curl your toes forward- so that you are on the balls of your feet. Press up using your arms - your back should be straight and the weight is on both  your hands and feet. Then lower your body  to approximately 3-6 inches from the ground. ( the up position is also called Plank)


Push up plus: The "plus" is executed from the up position of the push up also called plank. In the up position, follow the press up with an extension of your shoulders or rear deltas. Push your rear deltas to the ceiling.


Squats Jump: Start in a squat position, place one hand on the ground and, all in one motion, push off the ground with both feet, turn 180-degrees and land on both feet, crouching back into the squat position and touching one hand back to the ground. Reset your legs briefly (come up to a standing position and take a breath). Repeat for the number of assigned reps.


Wall sit: Place your back against a wall. Your feet are shoulder width apart and approximately 18 inches to 2 feet from the wall. Lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Keep your shins perpendicular. Hold



Disclaimer:

Always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your health care provider. If you experience any symptoms of weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness or dizziness, nausea or shortness of breath stop immediately. Mild soreness after exercise may be experienced after beginning a new exercise program. Contact your physician if the soreness does not improve after 2-3 days. Use these exercises at your own risk.