Up Down Down Up Workout

Now before you get your mind in the gutter over the up down, down up reference (mine is always there) please let me explain.

It has nothing to do about sex, but it will help make you sexier.

Intrigued yet?

Please read on.

One of the hardest things we do physically as human beings is to get up and down. Whether it’s from the ground, the toilet seat, rocking chair or your comfy recliner.

There’s a lot of up, down, down and up in your day. And the rest you can leave up to your imagination. 😉

And when you’re a young whipper snapper with oodles of mobility,  getting up and down isn’t a problem. Getting up when you’ve fallen over or knocked down is easy.  Or sitting down into a chair or a squat isn’t a big deal either.

However, once you get older and reach a certain age (like me) it becomes a bigger deal. A life and death deal. Because when you fall and you can’t get up, you’re two-three times more likely to meet your maker. (1)

And you don’t want that.

For this reason, you need to include up down, down up exercises into your routine. Whether you’re a beginner, seasoned exercise veteran or you’re turning into get off my lawn type of person.

Here is your blueprint to make one of the hardest things we do, easier.

Note- This is not an exhaustive list and it’s based on the traditional way of doing each exercise.

Down/ Up/ Down Exercises

The following exercises start in the down position, towards the ground and you have to overcome the resistance and gravity to lift the weight up and to lower it down.

• Deadlift variations
• Kettlebell swings
• Turkish Get Up
• Biceps curls
• Shoulder raise variations
• Shoulder pressing variations
• Rowing variations (dumbbell, cable rows)
• Chin up variations
• Broad jumps

Up/Down/Up Exercises

The following exercises have you standing up and then resisting gravity and resistance on the way down and overcoming both on the way up.

• Squat variations
• Lunge variations
• Split squat variations
• Deadlift variations
• Single leg deadlifts
• Med ball slam variations

Exercises where you stay up

These are isometric exercises where you’re resisting gravity. For example,

• Front plank variations
• Side plank variations
• Farmer carries

Exercises where you stay down

These are also isometric exercises where you stay in the down position.

• Isometric squat variations
• Isometric spilt squats
• Hip flexor stretches

What makes these exercises so great?

Most of the above are self-limiting exercises because you’ll eventually feel the burn and the body will say enough.

Self-limiting exercises demand an awareness of what you’re doing and lots of balance and control. You cannot pop on your headphones and walk or run on the treadmill, listening to music or watching the news. These demand your total attention.

Not only that, these exercises are great for fat loss and muscle-building.

Do I have your attention now?

Up down, down up training

Here is a sample 4 week training you can follow in which you can interchange exercises (above) based on your preferences and training experience to better suit your needs.

In the follow the up down, down up training you’ll be on your way to becoming more mobile, better at life and certain other things, like gardening. What were you thinking?

Instructions

This is an A + B training.

You’ll alternate between the 2 trainings 3 days a week for 4 weeks for a total of 12 trainings, 6 of each. If It takes you longer because life gets in the way, that’s fine. Make sure to knock your 12 trainings out.

The format is a tri set, 3 exercises done in a row. The sets and reps’ guidelines will be as will be as follows.

If you want to concentrate on strength do between 4-6 reps on the first 2 tri sets. If your goal is more fat loss or muscle-building, do between 8-15 reps. Or  mix it up depending on how you’re feeling.

You’ll rest when needed between exercises and 1-2 minutes at the end of each tri set. The last tri set is optional if you have the time.

Please rest 24-48 hours between trainings and get after it and have some fun.  

Note- here is a warm up if you don’t have your own. And the last triset is optional, Only complete if you have time.

Training A

1A.  Squat variation (Barbell, dumbbell or body weight) 3 sets 4-12 reps

1B.  Horizontal pressing variations (push-ups, bench presses) 3 sets 4-12reps

1C.  Farmers carry variation 3 sets of 40 yards

2A. Single leg variation (lunge, split squat etc.) 3 sets 6-12 reps per side

2B.  Rowing exercise (dumbbell, barbell or cable row) 3 sets 6-12 reps

2C.  Hip flexor stretch 3 sets 30 seconds per side

3A. Single arm rowing variation 2-sets 8-12 reps

3B.  Arm exercise (curls, triceps or shoulder raises) 2 sets 8-15 reps

3C.  Side or Front Plank 2 sets 30-60 seconds

Training B

1A.  Deadlift variation (Bodyweight, barbell, dumbbell) 3 sets 4-12 reps

1B.  Push-ups or bench press variation 3 sets 6-12 reps

1C.  Hip flexor stretch 30 seconds each side

2A.  Medicine ball slam 3 sets 4-8 reps

2B.  Single leg exercise (single leg deadlift or lunge) 3 sets 6-12 reps per side

2C.  Rowing exercise (single arm variation) 3 sets 8-15 reps per side

3A.  Turkish get up (bodyweight or weighted) 2 sets 3 reps per side

3B.  Single arm press variation (cable or dumbbell) 2 sets 8-12 reps per side

3C.  Arm exercise (curls, triceps or shoulder raises) 2 sets 8-15 reps

Training’s can be printed out here.

Wrapping up

Incorporating up down, down up exercises into your exercise routine will make your life easier, healthier and sexier. What you choose to do will all that power will be up (or down) to you.

See what I did there?

Email-shanemcleantraining@gmail.com