12 Minute Workouts: Wall-Sits

So here I am, perched against a wall on a random street near the beach in California. I didn't have access to a gym that day, but I DID have a wall, and if you're looking to tone those isometric muscles, that's really all it takes.

The average American spends 12 hours a day sitting. To put that in perspective, you're awake for 16 hours, and you spend a full 12 of them with your butt in a chair. The overwhelming consensus? It's not good!

​So here's the challenge: Take at least one minute for each of those hours you spend sitting, and turn it into a wall-sit. In 12 minutes a day you can seriously tone your legs, lower abs, and if you're up for it, your arms too! 
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I won't belabor the description of how to do a proper wall-sit. You sit! Like you're in an imaginary chair with your back straight against the wall. The most important part is to make sure that your legs are bent at a clean, 90 degree angle. No knees hanging out over your toes! 

Start out holding your plank for how ever long you can and work up from there. Ideally, you'll be able to hold the pose for at least two minutes - That's when you start to get into really good muscle building territory. If you can hold your wall-sit for longer, that's even better. Do however many reps it takes you to get to 12 minutes each day. 

If you're up for it, there are lots of ways to tone your arms while doing a wall-sit as well. Hold your arms up overhead, add in some light hand weights and do curls or straight arm lifts, or simply press your hands together like I am in this picture, applying a constant force. There are endless combinations of ways to tone your arms while you're working your legs. 

​Stuck at the office? Don't worry! This is what makes wall-sits so perfect: You can do them ANYWHERE. I mean, where there is a wall, and let's face it, there are always walls, you can workout. Get in a few reps in your office, in the hallway, or step outside every couple hours. You can wear your work clothes and you're not going to get sweaty. So just do it! Wall-sit for 12 minutes a day. Rocking your favorite summer gear has never been easier.