Exercise of the Week:  Row, Row, Row the boat.

Fitness on the Go also offers sessions to train with a friend. So I invited my friend, neighbor and fellow Top 10 finalist Sarah to participate in a workout so we could learn some useful partner exercises. Sarah is a wonderful mother that is trying, like all of us, to get back in shape after having 3 kids.

The Partner assisted Row is a great exercise to help tone the bulges that begin to form on your back. Some people refer to this as back boob. I have been surprised at how quickly my back and shoulders are tightening and I am sure this exercise deserves some praise.

Note: If you don’t have a partner but do have a resistance band you can modify this exercise by looping your band around a stationary object in your house ie. a railing or heavy piece of furniture or your husbands waist when he passes out on the couch..

Step 1: Face your partner and take a wide stance. Spread your feet opposite to one another to allow for better balance. Grab two tea towels and each grab the ends. Try not to giggle as you look intensely into one another’s eyes

 

Step 2: Partner A pulls and partner B pulls as well. It is not a tug of war. You want to keep constant tension on the towels but still allow partner A to pull them towards themselves. Keep your shoulders down, elbows back and head forward.

Step 3: When Partner A’s arms are bent reverse the movement allowing Partner B to pull towards themselves. Keep your core engaged to support your back and help you stay planted on you feet. Continue back and forth for 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.

What I like about this exercise is that you can do it with a partner that has a different strength than you. The resistance can be easily adapted as you and your partner become stronger. Most of all I don’t miss my back boob at all!

Giddy up Partner up! Some things are better in two’s. Besides if your arms don’t get a workout I bet your tummy will from all the laughing!

– Stephanie Raposo