7 Exercises To Make You Look Great

Movement is the best medicine to look and feel your best. Exercise stimulates endorphin production and leaves you with a sense of well-being. In addition to the psychological benefits, exercise improves your body's health both inside and out. A routine of strengthening and toning the major muscle groups of your body will have you in tip-top shape. Complete this series of seven exercises three times per week for best results. Allow 48 hours of recovery before performing the same exercises.

Pushups

Pushups strengthen your chest, shoulders, triceps and abdominal muscles. Begin in a table-top position, with arms extended, wrists underneath your shoulders and knees underneath your hips. For a full pushup, extend both legs out, balancing on the balls of your feet. To modify your pushup for less intensity, remain on your knees and angle your torso so you form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Bend both arms at your elbows and lower your chest to a fists-width distance from the floor. Push back to your starting position and repeat. Complete one to three sets of as many pushups as you can perform while maintaining the correct form.

Squats

Squats tighten and tone your thighs and butt. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees and lower into a squat. Keep your knees behind your toes and lower until the back of your thighs are parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat for one to three sets of 15 reps.

Triceps Dips

Triceps dips firm the flab behind your arms. You can perform dips from the side of a bench, chair or bed. Begin seated with your arms along your sides and your hands anchoring around your bench or chair. Straighten your arms and lift your butt three to four inches away from the chair. Extend your legs and lower your body by bending your elbows. Straighten your arms and repeat. Complete one to three sets of 12 reps. Modify this exercise for less resistance by bending your knees.

Plank Hold

The plank hold strengthens all of your core muscles. Begin in a pushup position and hold for up to one minute. If a full plank feels too intense, modify the exercise by bringing your knees to the ground as if you were performing a modified pushup.

Calf Raises

Calf raises are an effective lower body strengthening exercise that can be performed anywhere without any equipment. Begin in a standing position with your feet together. Lift onto the balls of your feet, squeezing your calves at the top of the movement. Lower your heels to the floor and repeat. Complete one to three sets of 20 lifts. Use a chair or wall to assist with your balance if necessary.

Walking Lunges

Walking lunges strengthen your hips, butt and thighs while also providing cardiovascular conditioning. Begin from a standing position and step one foot forward. Bend both knees as you lower into your lunge, forming two 90-degree angles with your knees. Lift up and step your back foot forward into another lunge. Continue to alternate lead legs as you complete 10 lunges on each leg. Complete one to three sets.

Burpees

Burpees combine pushups, squats and vertical jumps. Begin from a standing position with your feet hip width distance apart. Squat down and bring your hands to the floor. Kick your feet back to land in a plank position and lower into a pushup. Bring your feet back into the squat position and jump off of the floor with your arms overhead to land in a standing position. Repeat 10 times and work your way up to see how many you are able to complete.