Watching world-class competitors inspires the inner athlete in all of us.
Sure, youcouldset a reminder to work out tomorrow, as you sit snacking on the couch.
But why not use that inspiration immediately?
Try these Olympics-inspired workouts, so you could get fit like a champion while you watch them in action.
We designed these as interval-style workouts, because what happens on screen isnt nonstop athleticism.
There are introductions, breaks between heats, and medal ceremonies.
Some, like vault, last just seconds, while others stretch longer than a minute.
Uneven Bars:Plank time!
Hold the position during the entire routine if you could.
Make it uneven by putting your hands and feet on different levels.
Switch sides with each bar routine you watch.
Balance Beam:Practice your balance.
Lower yourself into a partial squat while in the airplane position.
Whether you succeed or fail, youre a winner in our book.
Youre now in much the same position as a gymnast on the rings.
Try lifting up your feet, legs straight, while supporting yourself on the chairs.
Or for an easier exercise, leave your feet on the floor and lower your body fortricep dips.
If not (if they wobbled or took a step), do fourforward lunges.
Swimming
For swimming events, weve based our workouts on which stroke the athletes are doing.
In the longer races, take a break whenever you should probably.
Butterfly:Hold your arms out to the side and doarm circlesduring each butterfly event.
Are your legs getting bored?
Do squats at the same time.
Freestyle:Dosupermanson the floor.
For an authentic swimming feeling, alternate your arms up and down.
So after a few reps, stand up and switch to jumping jacks for the rest of the heat.
Keep an eye on the schedule for themedleyevents, where a swimmer or team does all four strokes.
The order is the same as weve listed them above.
Track and Field
For any race, pick your favorite athlete at the start.
Do the corresponding exercises until they finishwhether thats first, last, or somewhere in between.
Hurdles:Jog in place, and do a tuck jump for every hurdle.
(This also works for horse jumping events!
)Keep a foot on the floorif you arent used to doing a lot of jumping exercises.
100 and 200 Meters:Dohigh kneeswhile running in place, as fast as you’re free to.
400 Meters:Dobutt kickswhile running in place.
800 Meters:High knees for the first lap, butt kicks for the second.
If the camera cuts away to show another event, do a burpee and take a quick water break.
If the anthem is for another country, do awall sitinstead.
Ten if its a zero!
Feel free to invent your own interval workouts for other sports you end up watching.
And even though this is a fun workout, its still work.
Be smart about taking rest breaks when you need them, and making sure you keep good form.
Dont forget to sit down sometimes and cheer on your team!
Illustration by Angelica Alzona.
Photos byDavid Madison,Mike Kemp Images,Pete Saloutos, and CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images.
