Better Health & Living

Benefit: Pick up whatever you need to from the ground with grace thanks to this balance- and coordination-improving move.

Balance on your left leg with your right leg bent so the calf is behind you and parallel to the floor. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand at shoulder height and extend your right arm for balance. Contract your abdominal muscles and, as if picking up a penny, bend your left leg while reaching forward with your left hand to touch the dumbbell to the floor in front of your left foot. Try to keep your right leg raised throughout the move. Reverse the movements to slowly return to the starting position. Pause for a second; then press your left arm up, lifting the dumbbell overhead. Do all the reps on this side and then switch sides.

Benefit: Strengthens and tones chest, abs, back, shoulders, and arms to help you hoist the laundry basket up the stairs.

Holding a dumbbell in each hand, kneel on the floor and extend your body so your hands are directly under your shoulders and your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Bend your elbows and slowly lower your body as close to the floor as possible. Pause for a second and then push back up. At the top of the push-up position, bend your left elbow, pressing it toward the ceiling and lifting the weight to the side of your chest. Lower yourself back to the starting position. Do another push-up and then repeat the lifting motion with your right arm, alternating arms to complete the reps.

Benefit: This ultimate hip, leg, and butt booster will let you gracefully rise from low, cushy seats--plus your rear view will get a lift.

Stand with your back to a chair with your feet about hip-width apart. Raise your left foot about 6 inches off the floor and balance on your right leg. Bend slowly and with control to lower your butt to the chair, keeping your arms up for balance. As you sit, rock back slightly and swing your arms forward; then swing them back as you simultaneously press through your right heel to stand up. Do all the repetitions on one leg and then switch sides.

Benefit: Firms and strengthens the butt, thighs, abs, back, and arms--plus helps you effortlessly load groceries from your cart into your car.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing in. Bend your arms 90 degrees so your forearms are parallel to the floor. Take a giant step forward with your right leg, bending the knee until your thigh is parallel to the floor. Hold and then turn your torso and arms to the right for a count of two, keeping the dumbbells in front of your chest. Return to center and stand up by moving your left foot next to your right. Repeat, stepping with your left leg and twisting left. Alternate for 10 to 12 reps on each side.

Benefit: Here's a total-body toner that builds strength for twisting and reaching high and low.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding one dumbbell in both hands in front of your body. Bend your knees and sit back as if lowering yourself onto a low bench. At the same time, lower the dumbbell along the outside of your right thigh until it reaches outside your ankle (as if you were putting a bowl in a low cupboard). Pause and then stand up, moving the dumbbell diagonally up across your body and simultaneously turning your torso to the left until the dumbbell is above your left shoulder (as if putting a glass on a high shelf). Return to the starting position; then switch sides and repeat.