Well, we wouldn’t be Westporters if we didn’t associate feast with fitness, mentally tallying the number of workouts required to burn the calories we imbibe. Or eat.
We asked two popular fitness instructors for exercises we can do in a gym, at home, or al fresco; masked or maskless; and easily distanced from another’s globular inhalation zone. We also replaced Gabby’s hand weights with canned pumpkin, because not all of us have home gyms. You could also do, say, the lunges with a frozen turkey, but then we’d be advocating lunges with a frozen turkey.
Mo Prester
Instructor at JoyRide, DJ, personal trainer, and a bunch of other things
Mo has pretty much elevated Westport’s passion for fitness to an entirely new level. His wit, style, and infectious energy motivates legions of residents to get fit, stay fit, and not waste their time with lousy music.
He says, “I’m thankful for being able to train this terrific community of people in health and exercise. I’m thankful for traveling, for all my amazing experiences and seeing different parts of the world.”
One Arm Plank
- Start in a push-up position: hands on the surface shoulder width apart
- Move legs/feet wide
- Put one hand behind your back and (try to) hold the position for 10-15 seconds
- Switch hand behind your back.
- Over time work up to 20, 45, 60 seconds each side.
Side Plank
- Lie on your side, legs extended and stacked from hips to feet
- Elbow underneath you should be directly under your shoulder
- Lift your hips and knees from the surface and hold for 10 seconds
- Over time work up to 20, 30, 45, to 60 seconds
Incline Push-Up
- Place feet on bench, hands shoulder width apart
- Lift one foot off the bench
- For more difficulty, try pushing up 10-20 times.
Reversed Hands Push-Up
- Start in a seated position
- Place hands close together behind you, fingertips facing toward your back
- Keep elbows close to your sides, heels on the floor
- Push up off the floor 10-20 times
- For more difficulty, raise one leg
Bench Knee Lifts
- Stand in front of bench, one foot firmly on top
- Press down on left foot and push your body up while lifting your right foot to 45-degree angle
- Do 10-20 times with left foot, then right foot
Plank-to-Push-Up
- Place feet and hands on surface, shoulder width apart
- Slowly walk hands to plank position
- Lift up into a push-up, keeping back straight
- Slowly walk hands back to original position
- Repeat 10-20 times
Gabby Aiardo
Associate Trainer at Physique 57
Physique 57 managed to open moments before closing for quarantine. Then it re-opened in June, offering full-power sculpting, cardio, a full body burn and stretches in exactly 57 minutes.
Gabby’s a dancer with loads of experience in pilates and personal training.
She states, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead people through their workout - seriously!- it makes them feel awesome, this is a feel-good atmosphere. It’s all positive. They’re here because they want to be here and everyone leaves feeling good. And I’m thankful for my family.”
Round Back Abs
- Hold the legs in tabletop
- Lower and lift the legs or march them towards the floor.
Make sure: low back stays round, core stabilizes the body, chest stays open. Nothing should move but the legs.
All Fours for Glutes
- Kneel with hands on the floor, flat back
- Lift one leg; pulse, lower and lift, circle, draw a triangle, etc. while the core stabilizes the body
- Extend opposite arm
Make sure: abs pull in, low back stays long, engage the glute of the working leg, reach long through your opposite fingertips.
Tricep Kick Back with a Bicep Curl
- Bend and extend back arm in a tricep kickback, then a straight arm lift or slice across the body
- With front arm, do a bicep curl
Make sure: Hips and shoulders square, lengthen back arm to work the tricep, shoulders pull down your back, press into your back heel.
Lunge
- Pulse in a low lunge with arms holding over head or arms pulling down as you lower.
Make sure: Front knee stays over your heel, back knee stays hovered off the floor. Shoulders pull down your back.
