Establishing fitness habits at a young age can lead to longterm health. Young adults can maintain an ideal weight and decrease their risk for developing many diseases as they get older, such as heart disease, cancer, hypertension, stroke and diabetes by making exercise part of their daily routine. Engage in a full-body workout two or three days per week to sculpt and tone your muscles. Allow at least one day of rest in between workouts to let your muscles recover.
Squats
Sculpt and tone your gluteals and quadriceps with squats. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing in, letting your arms extend down at your sides. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Retract your shoulders back, and lower down as if you were to sit in a chair, putting your weight through your heels. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the floor. Slowly raise back up to the starting position. Do two to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
Hamstring Curl
The hamstring curl strengthens your hamstrings. Lie down on your back, extending your legs out in front of you. Let your arms rest by your sides, and put your calves on the top of a stability ball. Lift your hips off the floor and engage your abs. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your toes. Curl the ball toward your buttocks. Keeping your hips lifted, roll the ball back out to the starting position. Do two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Pushups
Pushups work all the major muscle groups, such as the quads, hamstrings, calves, chest, back, shoulders, triceps, biceps and abdominals. Get onto your hands and knees, placing your hands shoulder-width apart and slightly in front of your shoulders. Bring both feet straight back. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your hands and your toes. Engage your abdominals, bending your arms to lower your chest toward the floor. Push yourself back up to the starting position. Do two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps.
Plank
Tone your abdominals and back by performing the plank. Start by getting onto your hands and knees, positioning your hands shoulder-width apart. Lift your knees and bring your feet straight back, curling your toes under. Set your gaze a few inches in front of you to keep a neutral spine. Engage your abdominals by pulling your belly button into your spine and hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. Do two sets.
References
- "Fitness: The Complete Guide"; Frederick C. Hatfield; 2010
- Yoga Journal: Plank Pose
- American College of Sports Medicine: Physical Activity and Public Health Guidelines
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Preventing Weight Gain in Young Adults: August 31, 2005



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