While I’m a fan of Moving Your Body, rather than working out to a specific routine, there are a few that come along that I absolutely love, as they completely embrace the idea of moving to gain energy and feel better.
A few months ago I was given the opportunity to test out the new programfrom Christine Bullock – a fitness veteran of many specialties, Finalist in the Women’s Health Next Fitness Star Contest, and founder of the program, Evolution20. Evolution 20 is the latest program from Christine, featuring a series of 20 minute workouts, a 2-tier fitness plan, and a 2-month meal plan.
Now you might be thinking this sounds a lot like the other programs you see, such as T-25, or various high intensity workouts with short time lengths. While these are quick exercises that can fit into anyone’s day, the message behind them and the variety is much different.
Christine’s program contains Pilates-inspired and yoga workouts which are used throughout. You start with the Pilates video to find your core, or as Christine calls it, your Foundation. She teaches you the importance of using your core in the Pilates workout, but also in ALL the other videos, so support your body as you move. In her yoga video, she reminds you that yoga is more than just moving – it is also about breathing deeply, finding space in your body, and clearing your mind a bit.
Evolution20 offers a ton of funky, high intensity moves, in a huge variety. It keeps you entertained, even after 30 day of the workout. After the first month, you get to upgrade to the next level, finishing strong in 60 days total. Along the way, Christine reminds you to modify the moves when needed, or even do a different move that works better for you. She reminds you that it’s not just about looking great (although these moves definitely build some mega-strength) but it is also about feeling good and making it work for a busy schedule, which is the #1 reason to not move your body. She’ll remind you that this will make you feel better and move better – whether you are a new mom who has been up all night and is using this in her AM routine, or a business women who has been at work all day and is using this to loosen up after sitting at a desk all day.
As a fan of “Moving Your body” over straight working out, I was surprised how much I loved this workout series, and how much it resonated with the idea of Moving Your body. I was also blown away by the meal plan, which didn’t make you buy or stick to a supplement or shake to drop weight. It featured a variety of food, focusing on organic and low-processed ingredients, reducing animal products (but not completely), eating a high variety of plant-based meals, and daily green smoothies (without the use of protein powders). It was definitely clean eating at its finest.
Here are a few of my favorite moves that I have been incorporating into my own movement routines and classes on a regular basis:
*All you need is a mat and some shoes.
Standing Knee Pull: From Balance 1
This has become a favorite of mine in my personal yoga practice, as well as my yoga classes.
Stand in a runners lunge, with your hands together at your chest. Engage your belly button into your spine. Press down into your front heel and push out through your back heel, engaging your thigh. Hold for 5 breaths, then dig into your front heel and glute as your pull your back knee forward, to hip height. Engage the core and hold for 5 breaths. End by stepping back into a lunge. Repeat on the other side.
Burpees: From Power 1
When I heard we were going to do Burpees, I was anything but excited. Then I realized, they are a bit like Sun Salutations from yoga, but much faster and missing a few moves aka Sun Salutations on Crack. This mindset made me see these, deep, self-paced Burpees as a ton of fun.
Start in a wide squat. Dig your heels into the ground and sit back as you engage your belly button to your spine and squeeze your glutes. Reach your hand to the ground and step or jump back to a plank. To step it up a notch, press in to a push-up. To modify, hold here for a breath. Jump or step forward to your squat. *Option to lift your chest and torso into a wide chair pose. Repeat for one minute.
Sumo Side Reach: From Endurance 1
I love the strength and power in this move, even though your feet stay firmly planted on the ground. I have been using this one in my barre classes for deep, side-body strength.
Stand with your feet wider than hip distance apart, toes and knees turned out. Keep your spine long and your belly button drawn into towards your spine and your bend your knees, bringing them in line with your ankle, your thighs close to parallel. Reach your arms to a “T”. Keep arms and chest open as you reach your right fingertips towards your right knee or heel, leaning down. Engage your left obliques (side waist) to pull back up. Drop to the left. Repeat for one minute, alternating sides.
Sweaty Angels: From Power 2
Sweaty Angels are a fun, fresh take on core and abdominal work that will leave your toned, strong, and centered. 
Lie flat on your mat with your feet wide and your arms in a “T”. Draw your belly button into your spine as curl up your spine, lifting your right arm and left leg. Try to tap your shoelaces and lower back down. Switch sides. Repeat for one minutes, alternating sides.
Modified Break Dance Push-Up: From Power 2
As I was planning my favorite moves, I remembered how fun this one was to do. It can at the end of the Power 2 workout and I would get excited to finish up with this funky move. I look forward to making my students rock it in some upcoming yoga and barre classes!
*This version is modified a bit from the video.
Start on hands and knees. Draw your right knee into your chest and tuck your leg underneath you, kicking it out to the left. If you can, engage your deep core muscles and inner thigh muscles to hold your leg off the ground. Reach your left arm up towards the ceiling. This is really just a funky side plank, so don;t be intimidated. Come back to hands and knees and repeat on the opposite side. You can move from side to side or hold each side for a full round of breath. Alternate side to side for one minute.
*If you want to kick it up a notch Start in a plank and add a push-up in between each side.
If you are interested in learning more, check out Evolution20.com or ChristineBullock.com. Christine is currently up for the Women’s Health Next Fitness Star contest, and results will be announced August 7th.
What is your favorite workout routine or movement? Which one of these moves are you looking forward to trying?
Enjoy,
This post is sponsored by Evolution20, but all opinions are my own. I received no compensation for this post. 
