[Video] Total Body Toning Functional Strength Training Workout

Functional fitness is all about strengthening key areas of the body that help you to perform everyday activities without injury. If you've ever reached into your car for a bag of groceries and had a back spasm, or stretched up to get something off a shelf and tweaked your shoulder, you know how easy it can be to injure yourself if your body isn't fit and strong.

Performing regular exercise and stretching can help keep your muscles flexible and prevent injury, but it's also important to keep your muscles strong and toned, so they will be able to handle unexpected demands such as shoveling snow, wrestling with the grandkids, or having a water balloon fight in the back yard!

This workout will take you through a series of exercises designed to strengthen and tone key areas of the body, while taking your body through its entire range of motion to loosen tight muscles and increase flexibility. Many of the exercises mimic common daily movements such as climbing stairs, reaching down to pick something up, or squatting. There is also a focus on core muscles, which are important for maintaining spine stability and keeping your whole body in alignment. This is a bodyweight workout, so you can do it at home, and no equipment is required. All you need is a mat or folded blanket.

Stay in shape and enjoy your life without pain by building a fit, strong body!

Here's the workout (you will need to do a brief warmup first, as the video does not include one):

[Video] 10-Minute Fat Burning Ab Workout

If you're looking to get rid of some of that extra flab around your middle this summer, this quick workout will hit the spot (the muffin top/love handle spot, that is)!

This 10-minute workout targets the abs, along with fat-burning cardio intervals, to help you both lose fat, and tone your midriff at the same time. This is a pure bodyweight workout, so no equipment is required, and you can do it just about anywhere, so you have no excuse for not showing off your tummy this summer!

You will do 1 minute of each exercise, with 10 seconds of rest between each set. Please note that this workout does not include a warmup and cool down, so you will want to do those on your own.

Got 10 minutes? Let's burn some fat!

[Video] Back On Fire Back Sculpting Workout

When you're getting ready for swimsuit season, you may be focusing on working out your legs, butt, or core, but one area that is often overlooked is your back.

Not only does having a strong back help you to avoid injury and support you during all of your fun summer activities, but it also helps you look great in sexy swimwear or skimpy summer tops!

This short workout will work your shoulders, core, and entire back and butt area, to provide a toned and sculpted look from behind - all in less than 15 minutes.

All you need for this workout is a mat and a set of hand weights (or use water bottles or canned goods if you don't have weights).

[Video] 6-Minute Abs QuickFit Core Workout

Of course if you really want to show off those abs, you will also need to burn calories, especially if you are overweight. But you also need to build strong, defined core muscles, and that is what this quick ab workout will do for you.

These simple exercises are very effective, and don't require any equipment, so you can do them anywhere. All you need is a mat or blanket to lie on.

Do this 2-3 times per week along with or between your regular workouts for best results. Work slowly, and concentrate on feeling the contraction in your abs. This short series will strengthen and tone all of your different abdominal muscles, for a strong, toned tummy just in time for spring!

[Video] 10-Minute Hard Core Workout

This 10-minute core workout will definitely get your core working hard - yes, you WILL be sore tomorrow!

A strong core is important for balance, posture, and injury prevention, and this workout will definitely help you to build your core muscles fast. 

From all of your ab muscles, including those waist-shaping obliques, to your glutes and lower back, this workout will challenge and strengthen your entire core, providing balance and stability to your whole body, improving your posture, and helping prevent injury during running, other workouts, or just your regular daily activities.

This is not an easy workout, so go slow, maintain proper form, and listen to your body! Be sure to keep your abs tight to protect your lower back, especially during any extension exercise. 

Do this one at least twice a week for ongoing core shaping and strengthening benefits.

[Video] 15-Minute Cardio Core Challenge Workout

You may hate sit-ups (really, who doesn't?), but neglecting core strength can put a serious crimp in your fitness. Not only will a weak core throw off your balance and your posture, but it can also lead to injury. If your ab and back muscles are not strong (and equal strength is important to provide balance to your muscles), you can literally hurt yourself doing simple activities from running, to gardening, to taking the groceries out of the car!

This short workout will challenge your core muscles - from all of your different ab groups, to your glutes and lower back as well - with fast, fun exercises that provide balanced strengthening and toning (no sit-ups here)! This quick, fast-paced workout will also give you a great cardio challenge.

Okay, grab a mat, and let's get that core in shape before it's time for spring yard work!