
Fitness Tips to Get More Toned

If it feels like lately you're just going through the workout motions, try these tips from New York City personal trainer Christa Bache. You'll increase the challenge of your go-to moves—and see faster results. (Do 10 to 20 reps of each exercise.)
Instead of a crunch, try...
A weighted crunch with a yoga block
Hold a 1- to 3-pound dumbbell with both
hands behind your head and place the
block between your thighs, feet on floor.
Keep the weight behind your head while
you crunch up.
The boost "Adding the dumbbell amps
up the resistance, making the move
harder, and the block brings in your pelvic
floor and inner thigh muscles."
Instead of a dumbbell
shoulder press, try...
Adding a resistance band
Stand on the middle of the
band and hold an end and a
dumbbell in each hand at
shoulders. Press weights
overhead, hold for
2 counts, then return to the
starting position and repeat.
The boost "When you
use resistance bands with
weights, you force your
muscles to work even harder."
Instead of a squat, try...
A deep squat followed
by a half squat
Stand with feet shoulder-width
apart and squat as low
as you can. Hold for
5 seconds, then stand up.
Perform a half squat (go down
half as deep) and hold for
5 seconds to complete 1 rep.
The boost
"Changing your
range of motion gives your
muscles more of a challenge."
Instead of standing
biceps curls, try...
Incline curls on an adjustable bench
Hold a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell in each
hand and sit on an incline bench with
arms extended toward the floor, palms
facing forward. Curl weights to your
shoulders, lower, and repeat.
The boost
"From this position, it's
difficult to cheat by swinging your hips
forward or leaning back."










