Jumping jacks are a great calisthenic, but they hardly scream, “This is going to be a brutal workout!” That’s about to change. For this challenge from Men’s Health, kick up the intensity of this old-school exercise by performing a terrible trifecta of pushup jacks, squat jacks, and seal jacks. “These variations of the classic jumping jack will get your muscles burning and your heart pumping in no time,” says BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S., metabolic training expert who designed Men’s Health Speed Shred and owner of StreamFit.com.

DO THIS
Perform 11 pushup jacks, 22 squat jacks, and 33 seal jacks in a row. Then repeat. Test yourself by doing two rounds as fast as you can. Rest whenever you want, but keep the clock running the whole time. If that’s too difficult, try the modified challenge by removing the pushup from the pushup jack.

Pushup Jack
Assume a pushup position, your hands slightly beyond shoulder width. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your ankles. Jump your hands and feet out a few inches wider, while bending your elbows and lowering your body until your chest nearly touches the floor. Then push up with enough force for your hands and feet to come off the floor. Land in the starting position. That is 1 rep. Do 11.

Squat Jack
Stand with your feet together and your hands at your sides. This is your starting position. Jump your feet out to shoulder-width apart and lower down into a squat, reaching your arms straight out in front of your body at shoulder level. Immediately jump back up to the starting position. That’s 1 rep. Do 22 total.

Seal Jack
Stand with your feet together. Your arms should be straight out in front of your body at shoulder level  and your palms together. Simultaneously squeeze your shoulder blades together, pull your arms out to your sides (they should still be parallel to the floor), and jump up just enough to kick your feet out wide. Without pausing, quickly reverse the movement and repeat. That’s 1 rep. Do 33 reps.

Are you fit enough to beat BJ or Jill? Watch the video above to see them perform the Get Jacked Up challenge. BJ finished 2 advanced rounds in 2 minutes and 14 seconds, and Jill completed 2 modified rounds in 2:09 seconds.  What was your time?  Drop by our Facebook page and let us know how you did!

Do you have an iPad and want to add some additional variety to treadmill workout?

Outside Interactive, a Boston-based startup and developer of forward motion video software technology for treadmill runners, has released its Virtual Runner app for the iPad that allows viewers to run popular running routes virtually all from the safety and comfort of a treadmill. The high definition videos are shot from a runner’s point of view and allow the runner to interactively view different virtual running routes as if they were on the course itself. The Boston Marathon course can be purchased for those training through the winter months for the big event on April 15. Neat stuff!

JOOS is in the Boston Globe and also partnered with Fisique. We’re always looking for healthy products and offerings for our members. You can now order JOOS products online and pick them up at Fisique, as Downtown Boston’s main JOOS Depot. Plus, Dana Young, Certified Health Coach from JOOS, will be in tomorrow from 11 am – 2:30 pm for a JOOS tasting and for product / cleanse information.

Members can select the following links to:  LEARN MORE or to ORDER JOOS® products.

You put the effort in to getting those workouts in during the week. Don’t let your off days lead to weight gain! Click the link to read some weekend diet tips from Men’s Fitness and have a great guilt-free weekend!

Weekend Diet Tips