HOW TO USE PARALLETTES FOR HOME WORKOUTS
What are parallettes?
Parallettes are essentially parallel bars, used widely for gymnastics and Calisthenics exercises. The bars allow for versatile exercises, performed using bodyweight. Parallettes are made of wood, metal or light weight polymers (plastic).
This equipment helps strengthen the muscles, and improve mobility. These bars are also a great tool for boosting wrist and hand strength. With regards to overall fitness, parallettes help improve bodily strength, body mechanics, and coordination. Exercising using this equipment will stabilise shoulders, add tonality to arm muscles, and improve balance.
Here are three exercises you can do at home using parallettes
1. Push ups
This exercise targets chest and tricep muscles.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Place the parallettes parallel to each other, shoulder width apart. Now, grab the handles of the parallette, and take the push up stance, with your body forming a straight line.
Step 2: Lower your body towards the ground, till your chest reaches the height of the handles.
Step 3: Push your body back to the starting position, with elbows remaining close to the body. Repeat at least ten to fifteen times to complete one set.
2. Mountain climbers
This exercise targets abdominal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus, and calf muscles.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Place the parallettes parallel to each other, slightly more than shoulder width apart. Now, grab the handles of the parallette, and take the push up stance, with your body forming a straight line.
Step 2: Pull your right knee towards the right elbow.
Step 3: Move the right leg back to the starting position, while pulling the left knee to the left elbow.
Step 4: Now take the left knee back to the starting position, while keeping the right knee to the right elbow. Repeat at least ten to fifteen times to complete one set.
3. Dips
This exercise targets triceps, chest, and shoulder muscles.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Place one parallette linear to the other one, at least three to four feet apart.
Step 2: Now, grab one parallette as support, with both hands, arms completely stretched.
Step 3: Stretch the legs forward and place them on the other parallette. Ensure to keep the body in a straight line.
Step 4: Lower the body, keeping your elbows together. Ensure that the angle between the upper and lower arms is 90 degrees.
Step 5: To complete the movement, press back to the starting position. Repeat at least ten to fifteen times to complete one set.
So ladies, get ready to workout from the comfort of your home, using this portable equipment!
