The St. Patrick’s Day Challenge!

Looking for a fun quick work out before heading out to celebrate like the Irish do?
I’m sure there is no guessing that I am an Irish girl, so I created these St. Patty’s Day inspired exercises. Hope you can share them with your favorite Irish friends, be safe and have fun! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Irish Jig Warm Up:

1. Warm up by crossing the right foot over the left thigh (aim for above the knee). Try to keep hips and shoulders square while doing this. ** Dynamically stretches the hip and works the inner thigh.
2. Lift the left foot up to the right glut. Think of trying to kick your butt and at the same time keep your knees relatively in line with each other. **Dynamically stretches the quad and works the hamstring.

Irish Jig Cardio Challenge:

If the Irish Jig Warm Up feels good, pick up your pace for 20-30 seconds. Make sure to repeat both the Warm Up and Cardio Challenge on the other leg. ** Great cardiovascular exercise as well as a nice dynamic stretch for legs and hips.

Shamrock Shuffle:

3 leaves are on most shamrocks (Unless you are lucky enough to find that four-leaf clover!) You will be shuffling in 3 different directions.

1. Begin in a squat position. Stay low and shuffle feet to the right. Turn 90 degrees to your right and shuffle to your left. Shuffle back to your right.
2. Continue to your left – shuffle left. Turn 90 degrees to your left and shuffle left. Shuffle back to your left.
3. Repeat for 60 seconds. **Great cardiovascular exercise that works gluts, quads, & outer thighs.

Leprechaun Run:

Rotate out from the hips and think of lifting knees up to the torso. Gradually pick up pace for 30 seconds. **Great cardiovascular exercise & hip opener.

“Pot of Gold” Jumps:

1. Prep with small jumps (like you are jumping rope), making sure to land ball of foot first, followed by the heel with soft knees.
2. After 2-3 small prep jumps, lift both knees towards torso, pulling feet in and up. Repeat 4-6 times. **Great cardiovascular exercise. Works the core & inner thighs.

“Kiss Me, I’m Irish” Lunges:

1. Step out into a lunge with the right leg.
2. Push off the floor, and kiss your feet in the air, as you switch your legs to land with the left in front.
3. From the left lunge push off again to kiss feet and switch. Repeat 6-8 times. ** Great cardiovascular exercise. Works legs, butt, and core.

“Good Luck” Horseshoe Abs:

1. Begin flat on your back with your legs extended straight up from your hips. Upper bodys stays flat on the ground.
2. Keeping your feet as close together as possible, carry legs on a diagonal.
3. Draw a “horseshoe” from one corner, down and around to the corner, and then back to the other side. Keep core engaged and breathe! Repeat 8-10 times** Works abs, obliques, and inner thighs.

*** Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times through.