It’s Monday, and your workout says to do a certain exercise, but you’re pretty sure you can’t make it happen. There can be many reasons. It could be an injury or physical limitation holding you back, or maybe you just don’t have the necessary equipment. Whatever the reason, everybody who exercises regularly has to cross this bridge at one point.   

So what’s the answer? It’s definitely OK to modify exercises! Modifying an exercise simply allows you to tailor a workout to your individual fitness level and unique needs.

Here’s a mantra worth remembering in your training: There are no magic movements, nor are there any mandatory exercises. Nobody has to deadlift with a barbell, squat a certain way, or press a certain type of weights overhead. Whatever hits the muscles you’re targeting and feels safe for your body can work just fine.

Don’t worry; this isn’t something you need to figure out on your own. With most of our V Shred programs, like the follow-along workouts in the home version of Fat Loss Extreme, or in the follow-along workouts in our Facebook Women’s Group, your instructor will offer up some alternate versions. And if you’re following one of our gym-based plans like Clean Bulk, all you have to do is perform similar movements and base modifications on your fitness level and what equipment you have available at your gym.

Exercise modification examples:

• If doing a dumbbell bench press feels better than using plates and a flat bench, go for it! 
• If the shoulder press machine is occupied, use dumbbells instead
  
• If you can’t do pull-ups on your own yet, use an assisted pull-up machine or bands to help you get your reps

If you are having a hard time with an exercise, it’s also possible that you don’t need to modify it. You may simply need to explore if there are ways you can make the prescribed exercise more stable. For example, if your balance is holding you back on lunges, you could do split squats with both feet on the ground, use a Smith machine, or hold onto something for support.

No, this isn’t cheating! If it allows you to perform the exercise with better form, and safely push the intensity, then it’s a superior version for you, at this point in your journey.

You Still Need to Challenge Yourself!

All of what we just said comes with one caveat: modifications aren’t an excuse to water down the intensity of an exercise just because it challenges you.

Modifications should only be used if you are experiencing pain, aren’t feeling a good mind-muscle connection, lack equipment, or need to progress your way up to the prescribed exercise. 

Working out is all about challenging yourself and building new abilities. If you can, always give the prescribed exercise a chance. Then, if it’s not a fit for you, use modifications as long as you need them.

Is soreness a reason to modify an exercise?

Sometimes, you may think you need to modify an exercise because it makes you sore in the days following a workout. That’s possible, but not necessarily the case. To ensure that you are properly recovering after every workout, take a hard look at the way you’re eating. 

If you’re winging it in the kitchen, the macronutrient calculator in the V Shred app for Apple or Android can help you dial in your calories and macronutrients like protein, carbs, and fats — and customize it for your body type, age, goal and activity level. Drinking BCAAs before a workout has also been shown in studies to help combat muscle soreness before it happens.

Still Unsure How To Modify Your Exercise Program?

You don’t have to figure it out on your own! Our V Shred trainers are always ready to answer your questions in our Facebook Groups for Men and Women and V-Shred Plus.

And if you still feel unqualified to make these kinds of decisions, we get it.

It takes years to build that kind of knowledge. Working one-on-one with a qualified V Shred nutritionist or coach could be the thing you need to get you there faster. 

Click HERE or email coaching@vshred.com, to get connected with one of our coaches.

The post Is It OK To Modify Exercises? appeared first on V Shred.

Summer is here and the sun is out! With the summer sun comes swimsuits, and swimsuits mean your body is going to be on full display.

Unlike the fellas, who can cover up their REAR VIEW in a pair of swim trunks, ladies have to expose it all.

Not fair .. we know.

BUT we’ve got you covered (so you can confidently be uncovered) – with a 12-minute home glute workout – that will help you blast fat and build curves in all the right places!

Speaking of the summer sun….
While the weather is pleasant, try leaving your living room and take your training outside!
The fresh air and bright sunshine can be a great motivator to get moving!

Studies say being outdoors….

• Lowers stress hormones (which can impact things like appetite and weight)
• Re-sets your ability to focus & boosts creativity
• Supports immune health
• May help you burn a few more calories (because of the extra energy required.)
• ++ More

Outdoor training may not be ideal for every workout, but the one we are showing you today is really short – only 12-minutes!

Don’t forget your sunscreen and plenty of water! Let’s get that summer booty poppin!

You don’t need any equipment for this workout, but if you have some weights or bands, feel free to add them.

We will perform all exercises as “super-sets” .. this means you will do “Exercise A & B” without any rest in-between. Then you will get a quick break before moving on to the next superset, and so on.

The reason we are doing supersets is to keep things moving. This keeps your heart-rate up and will ensure you are getting the most out of your time.

12-Minute Follow Along Booty Movements 

Each exercise will be performed for 20 Seconds. Your rest periods between supersets will also be a quick 20-seconds.

Exercise 1A: Reverse Table Top Hip ThrustsExercise

Exercise 1B: Side to Side Lunges

Exercise 2A: Single Leg Hip Thrust (Left Leg)

Exercise 2B: Single Leg Hip Thrust (Right Leg)

Exercise 3A: Glute Kickbacks (Left Leg)

Exercise 3B: Glute Kickbacks (Right Leg)

Do this workout or one of the dozens of others we have on our YouTube Channel a few times a week, and your butt will be summer-ready in no time.

TO AMPLIFY FAT LOSS AND GET BOOTY READY IN TIME FOR SUMMER….

You may want to add a thermogenic fat burner into your supplement stack!

We developed Sculpt Nation BURN based on science. We only include ingredients that are safe and tested to be effective at attacking fat cells all over your body.

Most fat burners only have one or two ingredients that could potentially help you burn a few extra calories. Sculpt Nation BURN goes further .. it helps support and raise your metabolic rate and attacks your body fat from three essential pathways.

Try BURN by itself, or to really take your summer body goals to the next level, take a look at our FAT LOSS STACK. It includes BURN, plus two of our other top-selling Sculpt Nation supplements that aid in lean muscle growth and fat loss.

So if you have been thinking about adding supplements to further amplify your fat-loss .. now is the time! CLICK HERE to shop now!

The post Get A Bikini Ready Booty With This 12-Minute Home Workout appeared first on V Shred.