Hi Leah, which of your workouts are the best to use for someone who is trying to get stronger in planks and pushups? I find most of your upper body plank work to be too advanced for where I am now. I can do the Ballet Body Basics series but I would like to use some of your newer workouts as well. I would love to try the Iron Barre Select for upper body (I would love to slim down my arms and upper back), but it may be too advanced? Suggestions appreciated!

Hi Wendy!

Thanks for your question! That's great you are good on the Basics. You can use any of the new workouts to work your upper body, but I recommend the total body workouts before moving on to an upper body focused segment as you are building strength. You will find the more your train in planks and pushups on a weekly basis, the faster you will gain strength versus just doing them one time a week. If a mat exercise is too difficult, you can always modify by decreasing range of motion or coming down the knees. Also, you can use a step to elevate your body and make a pushup easier, but try to always push yourself to increase the number of reps. When performing a pushup or plank, make sure the elbows point back at a 45 degree angle and engage your core, glutes, back, and chest before initiating movement. Then imagine your fingertips are turning a jar and grip the ground as you do the push up. In planks, slightly bend the elbows and don't lock out the elbow joint. You will automatically feel stronger activating the working muscle groups. With any of the workouts, please feel free to sub an advanced mat exercise for isometric pushups and holding planks as well. The mat workouts are tough so please modify as you need! Slimming down the upper body and back will require a combination of diet and exercise to reduce body fat in those areas, and training those areas with tighten and define those areas. Plus the lean muscle growth will help to boost your metabolism, so don't be afraid to use weights as well. Hope this helps!