We all know wisdom isn’t the only thing that comes with age. Our bodies change, too. But some of the things women associate with the tip over 40—muscle loss, a slowed metabolism, stubborn fat, lower energy—don’t have to be your destiny. There are plenty of ways to maximize your results.
What follows is a high-intensity workout and training guide for lasting fitness. Former IFBB Fitness Olympia Champ Monica Brant has crafted a full-body circuit that targets hard-to-sculpt areas with strength exercises, plyometrics, and lateral and forward/backward moves that prime every muscle. Follow it along with advice from top fitness experts on how to keep your metabolism fired up at any age.
TIP: For better results in muscle definition, train at your highest intensity twice a week. Your muscles will thank you later.
Perform this entire workout (including cardio) as a circuit.
For treadmill: Without holding on to the handles, walk at the highest incline you can manage at whatever speed you can maintain for 10 minutes. (Shoot for 10–15%.) If you feel like you have to hold on, slow your pace down instead.
For StepMill: Start with a resistance of 3, 4, or 5, working up to 15 over a few weeks. Keep the tempo slow and steady.
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Per Bernal
WALKING LUNGE FORWARD AND REVERSE
Perform:12 forward and 12 reverse
Stand with your feet hip width, holding a dumbbell in each hand.
Keeping your hands by your sides, step your right foot forward a few feet, lowering into a lunge until your front thigh is parallel with the floor and your back knee nearly touches the floor.
Pause at bottom, then power through your front heel to quickly return to standing.
Standing with feet shoulder width, toes facing forward or just slightly out, lower you hips into a mid-squat.
Swing your arms back and then to the front as you leap forward, landing softly in a squat position.
Quickly swing your arms back to starting position, then leap forward again.
Jump as high and as far as you can, staying as low as possible once you’ve landed in the squat.
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Per Bernal
BALL CRUNCH
Perform: 20-23 reps
Sit on a stability ball, then roll your body forward until only your lower back is supported on the ball.
Bend knees 90 degrees and brace your abs to support your upper torso. Place your hands behind your head.
From this starting position lean back for a good stretch, then crunch your torso up, exhaling all your air at the top; inhale as you stretch back to starting position.
Stand with feet hip width, holding dumbbells in both hands.
Bracing your abs, hinge forward from the hips and simultaneously lift your right leg off the floor, using your left glutes, hamstrings, and quads to stabilize you.
Continue lowering your torso until the weights are at mid-shin.
Pull through your glutes to return to standing.
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Per Bernal
SIDE PLANK WITH LEG LIFT
Perform: 30 seconds each side
Begin in a side plank, left arm bent 90 degrees with elbow directly below shoulder, legs and feet stacked, forming a straight line from head to heels.
Keeping hips high, lift your right leg; hold for 30 seconds.
Switch sides and repeat.
To make it harder, place your elbow on a Bosu ball, round-side up.
Grab a dumbbell or kettlebell in your right hand, then lie faceup on the floor with your right knee bent 90 degrees, left hand 90 degrees from body, and left leg straight.
Keeping your right arm straight, press through your right foot and shift your weight onto your left elbow and then left hand until your torso is upright.
Keeping your left leg straight and right arm overhead, lift your hips as much as needed to slide your left knee under you.
Then place all your weight on that lower left leg and your still-bent right leg and lift your torso.
Drive through your feet and press up to standing.
Lunge back with your left leg to then reverse the process.
