3 Exercise Swaps to Make Life Easier

Then they say it’s “functional training”… or worse, their trainer says it.

Because in life… you never know when you have to hold a rock while pressing your small child over your head…

… or lift your grocery bags up and down while standing on a water bed.

#BePrepared <= No, not really.

Let’s get real here. Here are 3 SMART exercise swaps that will actually make life a lot easier…

Exercise Swap #1 The Sumo Deadlift for the Seated Leg Curl

Assume a wide stance with your feet slightly outside shoulder-width apart.

Grab a KB or DB between your feet, keeping your abs tight, chest up and your lower back in a natural arch.

Bend at the knees and grasp the KB or DB, then push through your heels to stand up.

The reason: You’ll run and walk with more efficiency. You’ll also “teach” your brain and muscles how to pick up heavy stuff with ease (like your kids).

Exercise Swap #2 – Farmer’s Walk for ANY Cardio

Holding a pair of heavy dumbbells, walk (I like to go a certain distance like 40 yards… or timed sets like 20 seconds).

Keep your shoulders back and your abs tight.

The reason: Better posture for one thing – which will make other exercises easier and relieve back pain.

Plus, you’ll handle grocery bags and suitcases like a boss… all while making your heart pound as if you’re running on a treadmill.

Exercise Swap #3 – Plank with Weight Transfer for Crunches

In case you can’t read the description inside the image, here it goes…

Hold a Plank position with a dumbbell next to one hand.

Keep your abs braced.

While maintaining a straight line with your body, roll the dumbbell to the other side of your opposite hand.

Repeat and go the other way.

This is a beauty. I like to go 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds. Do this up to 4 times. It looks easy on paper, but it’s brutal.

The reason: You’ll improve your lower back strength. You’ll also find it much easier to play with your kids or your dog on the floor. You’ll also be surprised at what this does to your pushup numbers…

… and pushups help you push heavy objects and get off the floor with ease.

Since we’re talking about unusual ab exercises, you’ll love the one I posted on my Facebook page this morning.

Join me on Facebook here 

And boom goes the exercise swap dynamite,
Mikey Whitfield, Master CTT

PS – This week, I’ll reveal the best way to “stack” 2-4 finishers together for a legendary workout 😉