Whether you’re trying to shed those last few pounds of fat, trying to improve your cardiovascular health, or even just trying to maintain your weight, you must ensure you’re exercising with intensity! Instead of always just doing your usual cardio exercise, why not try adding something called Core Conditioning Training (CCT) into your workout routine.

Basically, CCT is a combination of different core (abdominal, oblique, etc.) exercises combined with a brief cardio sprint on a stationary bike. It’s done in a circuit-training format in order to keep your heart rate elevated. By adding this high-intensity circuit to your workout routine you’ll accomplish three things: 1) you’ll really enhance your core strength, tone, and conditioning, 2) you’ll improve your cardio conditioning by keeping your heart rate elevated, and 3) you’ll stimulate thermogenesis and calorie-burning! Check out the sample CCT program below and give it a try for yourself!

The core-conditioning program is to be done in a circuit-training format. You will complete the 6 exercises for each circuit in sequence, with no rest between each exercise. After the 6 exercises are completed, you will then rest and repeat for a total of 4 circuits.

Sample CCT Workout
1. Full Sit-Ups 12-15 reps
2. Jack-Knife Sit-Ups 12-15 reps
3. Back Extensions 12-15 reps
4. Side Crunches 12-15 reps per side
5. Ball Crunches 12-15 reps
6. Stationary Bike 60 seconds all-out sprint
* Rest for 90 seconds, and then repeat again starting with exercise #1 for a total of 4 circuits.