Get Back to Basics with These Great Core-Strength Exercises!

Sometimes regular running, skipping rope or lifting iron just isn't enough and I find I need to really shock my body in order to get the 'ol heart pumping. It's moments like these that I need to train like an animal! Until about a year ago I'd never heard the phrase "train like an animal". And even then, I thought the phrase just referred to hard core, intense training. That's true to an extent, but when you train like an animal you're really going back to basics: When you train like an animal you incorporate some basic animal movements that will definitely put your body through its paces.

So without further delay, it's time to train like an animal! Duck Walk

Squat down, keep your back straight, eyes front and clasp your hands behind your head. Now start walking like a duck! Quaking is optional. More often than not I find myself grunting and groaning. The trick is to maintain the squat while putting one leg in front of the other. Try to go at least 25 yards up and 25 yards back. I'd wager that your upper and lower legs will start to burn within the first 20 yards or so and if you do make it back without tipping over then you get a pat on the back. Take a minute rest and repeat x 4. Frog Jump

Squat down similar to the duck walk. Squat a little bit lower and - with your arms on the inside of your legs - clasp your hands on your ankles. This will cause you to lean forward a bit. Use this natural incline allow yourself to jump forward staying as low to the ground as possible. Use 25 yards up and back as your benchmark. Take a minute rest and repeat x 4.

Alligator Walk

You're gonna love this one: assume the prone, push-up position keeping as close to the floor as possible. Now start to move forward alternating your left arm/leg with the right. You know - like an alligator walks! Once again go up and back 25 yards at least. If you love push-ups you will really enjoy this. And don't forget 1 minute rest x 4.Wheel Barrel Walk

You'll need an assist with this one: down in the prone push-up position and have someone grab your extended legs by the ankles. Now walk forward on your hands. The higher your friend raises your legs the deeper the angle and the harder it is. Pain is sometimes good and this one proves it. 4 sets with 1 minute of rest in-between

As you increase your strength so to should you increase the distance you walk with each particular movement. Conversely, maintain the same 1 minute rest interval no matter how far you go.

These are great exercises to increase agility and allow you quick bursts of speed and power. So train like an animal and get that heart of yours pumping!