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ACE's Kick Start Workout : A Week-by-Week, 3-Month Exercise Program
by American Council on Exercise
Cardiovascular Training
Disease Considerations
Fit Facts
Your Roadmap to a Healthier, Happier You
Kick start your new year with this 12-week fitness program designed by ACE, to build total body strength, enhance cardiovascular endurance, gain muscular definition, lose weight, improve health and increase energy. It's a great beginner-level program for those new to exercise, or it can be used as a valuable dynamic warm-up for the more advanced. Here we're giving you Phase I of the program, the first 30 days, so you have a week-by-week plan that's easy to follow and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Simply use it as a roadmap to a healthier, happier you!
Weeks 1-4
Stability & Mobility Exercise Program with Aerobic Base Conditioning (Phase I)
The purpose of Phase 1, the first 4 weeks of the program is to develop a stable core region along with strength and mobility in the hips. You will do so by completing a series of exercises and a cardio session as described. This program begins with cardio sessions of walking, but the goal is to gradually increase the intensity and work rate to successfully complete a 30-minute jog by the end of the 3-month period. The progression of the core training exercises match the progression of the cardiovascular exercise to help make the jogging comfortable and manageable for the listed timed durations.
Your Exercises for Weeks 1-4 Will Include:
Side Plank
Front Plank
How to Use this Program
For someone new to exercise, you can do this program at home without any equipment. Simply follow the recommended workout and you'll begin to see results and feel better in only a few weeks. For you, this program will help to flatten the tummy while concurrently developing strength and definition in the hips and thighs.
For people who are already exercising on a regular basis, this program can be used as a supplement when you don't have time to make it to the gym and need a quick routine you can do from home or on the road while traveling. Another option is to use this program as a dynamic warm-up to prepare the core for the challenges of your regular exercise routine.
TIP: To measure exercise intensity during your cardio session use a simple and effective technique called the "Talk Test". The Talk Test has been validated through research to demonstrate that if someone can talk comfortably while exercising, then this means they are efficiently utilizing fat as a primary source of fuel. Once it becomes difficult to talk, this signifies that carbohydrates become the primary source of fuel for the activity. Pick a phrase that takes approximately 20-30 seconds to say to perform this test, such as the Pledge of Allegiance.
During the first week of the program, perform only one set of each exercise as described resting for at least 30 seconds before doing the next exercise. For optimal results, try to do the exercises at least two times during the week and once on the weekend for a minimum total of three days per week.
Exercise #1: Bird Dog
Perform one set of 12 repetitions. Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise.
Exercise #2: Side Plank (for Beginner Level) or Modified Side Plank (for Intermediate Level)
Perform one set (hold this exercise for 10 seconds on each side). Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise.
Exercise #3: Front Plank
Perform one set (hold this exercise for 10 seconds). Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise.
Exercise #4: Glute Bridge
Exercise #5: Crunches
Perform one set of 12 repetitions. Rest thirty seconds.
Cardio Session
Walk for 15 minutes continuously, a minimum of three different times during the week. Use a walking pace where it is easy and comfortable to hold a conversation.
15 Minutes: Walk (Comfortable to hold a conversation)
In the second week of the program, progress to doing two sets of each exercise resting for 30 seconds between each set. Complete both sets before progressing to the next exercise. For optimal results, try to do the exercises at least two times during the week and once on the weekend for a minimum total of three days per week.
Perform two sets of 12 repetitions. Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise.
Perform two sets (for each set hold this exercise for 10 seconds on each side). Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next set, and rest again for 30 seconds before the next exercise.
Perform two sets (for each set hold this exercise for 10 seconds). Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next set, and rest again for 30 seconds before the next exercise.
Perform two sets of 15 repetitions. Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next set, and rest again for 30 seconds before the next exercise.
Perform two sets of 12 repetitions. Rest 30 seconds before moving to the next set.
Walk for 15 minutes continuously, a minimum of four different times during the week. Use a walking pace where it is easy and comfortable to hold a conversation.
In the third week of the program, begin to do the exercises as a circuit: complete a single set of each exercise, resting in between each one for 15 seconds, then repeat this entire circuit again so you've performed a total of two sets for each exercise. For optimal results, try to do the exercises at least two times during the week and once on the weekend for a minimum total of three days per week.
Perform one set by holding this exercise for 15 seconds on each side. Rest 30 seconds and switch to do the other side, then rest another 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise. (If you started with the Modified Side Plank for the first two weeks, now progress to one set holding for 10 seconds with straight legs.)
Perform one set by holding this exercise for 15 seconds. Rest 30 seconds before moving to the other side, then rest another 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise.
Repeat this entire circuit once more.
In the fourth week the goal is to complete the entire circuit (do all exercises) before taking a rest interval of one minute, and repeat this circuit three times for the best results. For optimal results, try to do the exercises at least two times during the week and once on the weekend for a minimum total of three days per week.
Perform one set by holding this exercise for 15 seconds on each side. Do not rest and switch to do the other side. Do not rest before moving to the next exercise. (If you started with the Modified Side Plank for the first two weeks, progress to hold each set for 10 seconds with straight legs now.)
Perform one set by holding this exercise for 15 seconds. Do not rest and switch to do the other side. Do not rest before moving to the next exercise.
Perform one set of 15 repetitions. Do not rest before moving to the next exercise.
Perform one set of 15 repetitions. Rest for one minute.
Repeat this entire circuit two more times.
Continue to Phase 2!
American Council on Exercise
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