Get more bang for your workout buck by tackling moves that target multiple muscle groups at once, like this Awesome Arms & Abs Workout!
Welcome to another great Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up where Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, Michelle at Fruition Fitness and I bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us each week by reading along, linking up and grab the button to proudly display on your blog/in your posts!
NYC is all about the hustle and bustle. Everything is go-go-go all the time, so living here, I’ve learned how to be quite efficient. I know the quickest subway routes. I know how to weave through throngs of tourists on the sidewalks and when work calls for an early meeting, I know how to get in a quick yet efficient workout.
The key is to choose moves that work more than one body muscle group at a time, which is exactly what this Awesome Arms & Abs Workout does. Instead of 10 moves that will take you twice the time to complete, it combines movements to get the same amount of work done in half the time. For efficiency’s sake, let’s dive right in.
L-Sit Shoulder Press
Equipment: Exercise Mat, Medium Weight Dumbbells
Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you so that your legs and torso form an L. Lift the dumbbells to your shoulders, palms facing forward. With your core engaged, press the dumbbells overhead. Return the dumbbells to shoulder height. Complete 12-15 reps.
Note: Choose a weight where the last 2-3 reps are challenging but do-able.
Plank Tricep Kickbacks
Equipment: Exercise Mat, Light Weight Dumbbell
Get into a push up position, hands under the shoulders, body in a straight line. Keeping the core engaged, shift your weight to your right hand, making sure that your hips and torso stay parallel to the ground. Hold a weight in your left hand, and pull your left arm up so that it forms a 90-degree angle (upper arm parallel with your torso). Slowly kick the arm back so that the entire arm is straight and parallel with your torso. Return the arm to the 90-degree angle. Complete 12-15 reps. Repeat with the opposite arm.
Note: Choose a weight where the last 2-3 reps are challenging but do-able.
Weighted Russian Twists
Equipment: Exercise Mat, Medicine Ball
Sit on your bum. Lift your legs off the floor (knees slightly bent) and lean back slightly to create a V-shape between your torso and your thighs. Keeping your core tight, twist your torso and hands over to the right and then to the left for a total of 12-15x per side.
V-Sit Arm Pulses
Equipment: Exercise Mat, Light Weight Dumbbells
Sit on your bum. Keep your legs straight as you lift them off the floor and lean back slightly to create a V-shape between your torso and your legs. With a dumbbell in each hand, lift your arms up by your sides, keeping them straight and parallel to the mat. Keep the core tight and pulse the arms up and down quickly for 12-15 reps.
Lumberjack Chop
Equipment: Medium Weight Dumbbell
Start with feet about hip width apart and use both hands to hold the dumbbell. Rotate your torso to the right and bring the dumbbell up over your right shoulder. Then, bend the knees slightly and rotate your torso to the left, bringing the dumbbell over to the left side in front of the thigh, like you’re chopping wood. Rotate back up and repeat 12-15 times before switching sides.
Get it? Got it? Then do it to it. Once you get through all the moves, rest for a minute, and then start back at the top and do it again. If you’re really ambitious, do it 3 times through!
Let’s see how you’re getting down on this Wild Workout Wednesday! Check out the full link up rules here and link it on up below.
Let’s Chat:
What’s your go-to short-on-time workout?

Love this workout! I really do enjoy working my upper body and core so this is a great workout! I just need a darn medicine ball, we don’t seem to have them in my gym!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…ZOOMA Run Love 10K Training Week 3
No medicine balls at your gym? Put in a request!
Great workout Nicole, love your graphics also. This is surely on my to-do list.
Thanks, Ivanna!
Loving the graphics, so user friendly! Great workout–I haven’t done lumberjack chops in forever because of my back.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Hungry Root Copycat Sriracha Peanut Sauce (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Thanks friend! When everything is better, we’ll chop it up together 🙂
Some of my go to exercises! I actually did most of those yesterday and my trainer keeps reminding me it’s all about the core if I engage it. Thanks for the link up
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Yaktrax & Snowshoes tips & tricks
Sounds like you have a smart trainer 🙂
That’s a good one!! I’ll have to try it! Those plank lifts sound pretty awesome 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…10 Tricks for Anyone to Take Better Photos
Thanks, Julie!
Looks like a great workout! Love the combo moves to get more out of your workout.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…#WIAW – Weekend Edition
Thanks, girl!
trying this today
The Food Hunter recently posted…Kona Deep Water A More Effective Way To Hydrate Naturally
Did you give a shot? What’d you think?!
What a fantastic workout!! Pinning it so I can try it soon!
Woooo whoo!!
I love your graphics! This workout looks great – I’ve been looking for an upperbody workout that’s short and effective!
Then this is exactly what you need! Thanks, Laura!
Love workouts like this! I was just thinking yesterday how I haven’t done an upper body focused workout in a while- my guns are feeling weak! Guess I gotta give this a try!
Annmarie recently posted…Tips For Keeping Valuables Safe At The Gym
Weak feeling guns with all that DVRT lifting you’ve been doing? No way, jose!
This looks so great and definitely something I can fit in my schedule!
Hooray! Thanks, Whitney!
Love quick workouts! You can never have too many options. Cant wait to try it
AutumnPTW recently posted…Sleep Clean 101
Thanks, Autumn! If you try it, let me know what you think!
I love how all of these moves are total body engagement – especially core. I love working / integrating core because it truly is where all our energy and strength emanates from.
Cayanne Marcus recently posted…WIAW & What’s Goin’ On 1/27/16
Exactly!!!
Great workout! Love the graphic!
Tara recently posted…How to Build a HIIT Workout
Thanks, friend!
Great moves, and I love that graphic 🙂 I don’t work my shoulders as much as I should…leg day just trumps them all!! Just kidding…sort of.
I think women in general don’t focus on the upperbody as much as they should. Let’s get those strong shoulders and sexy guns, ladies!
Oooo I need this workout in my life! I sometimes neglect my upper half. I love your images and graphics too – so fun!
Thanks, Chrissa!