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The 5 Effective Strength Moves Katie Austin Recommends for When You’re Feeling Lazy

Low-intensity exercises perfect for when you’re just not in the mood.

Martha Zaytoun

Katie Austin flexes her arm muscle and smiles for the camera.

Katie Austin.

We all have those days when we want to move, but we can’t fathom a high-intensity routine. Whether we’re sore from a hard workout set in the days prior or just tired from our busy schedules, sometimes an overly challenging exercise regimen is not in the cards.

If that’s the case, Katie Austin has the perfect solution for you. The following five moves are the perfect bodyweight exercises to perform on your next low-intensity day.

Bird dog

Come to table top position on your mat, with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Extend one arm long in front of you and your opposite leg long behind you. Simultaneously pull them in toward your midsection, rounding your back and bringing your elbow and knee to touch.

Leg lifts

Lay on your side, propping your upper body up on your elbow. Lift your top leg toward the ceiling, engaging your core as you do, then return it back down to rest on your other leg.

Superman

Lay on your stomach with your arms extended long in front of you and your legs behind. Simultaneously lift your lower and upper body as high as you can, keeping your head in line with your spine and your eyes facing the floor. Lay back down.

Side crunches

Lay on your side with your legs bent. Place your hands behind your head in crunch position. Crunch up, working your obliques as you do. Return to the mat.

Hip bridge hold

Lay on your mat with your knees raised. Lift your hips up into bridge position and hold, ensuring your core is engaged and you’re squeezing your glutes.

Even if you’re not feeling overly tired or sore, adding in low-intensity sets to your weekly schedule is an important way of promoting recovery. So, regardless of how you’re feeling, we’d recommend trying out Austin’s recs. They never disappoint.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a Lifestyle & Trending News writer for SI Swimsuit. Before joining the team, Martha worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Martha loves to watercolor and oil paint, run or water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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