a^2 + b^2 = c^2

The Pythagorean Theorem. I always liked triangle-related math. I could calculate angles and hypotenuses (hypoteni?) for you all day long. Seeing this theorem takes me back to a happier time, before I fell down the Calculus rabbit hole. It was a simpler time. It was a better time. For further information on Pythagoras and his fellow math pioneers, please watch Donald in Mathmagic Land.

This workout has two options; both are cardio-focused. I’ll save a Pythagoras resistance workout for another day. One is shorter and good for commercial breaks, or as a cardio supplement to a weight workout. The longer is for the hard-core cardio queens (and kings).

You’ll have a column for ‘a’, and a column for ‘b’. For each set, you can pick one from each and either stick with these two for the workout’s duration, or you can switch them up. The moves in each column are designed to make sure you move in different planes of motion. Here are your exercise choices:

A
*Air jump rope
*Front to back jumping jacks (arms and legs move forward instead of to the side)
*Jump squats
*Air squats

B
*Floor dives
*Classic jumping jacks
*Snowboard jumps (one foot forward, one back, rotational jumps)
*Side jumps (feet together)

C
*The set for ‘c’ will be alternating reps of your pick from ‘a’ and ‘b’; i.e. jump squat, side jump, jump squat, side jump…

Shorter Version
We will be counting down from 10 to 1 (a=10, b=10). For the short version, you will do 10 of your selection from ‘a’, 10 of your selection from ‘b’, and then 14 (approximate root of 200, which in this case is equaled to our a^2 + b^2) alternating. You will notice in the chart that none of the roots are whole numbers. After completing each set of ‘c’, do whatever number of pushups comes after the decimal (and be thankful that I rounded them all to one decimal place! ). Repeat three more times, once for each side of the triangle, and pick two new exercises each time.

Full Version: SQUARED!
I recommend the full version, but then, I’m a cardio addict. For the longer workout, we’ll use… you guessed it: the squares! For your first set, you’ll do 102 (100) of ‘a’, 102 (100) of ‘b’, and 102 + 102 (200) for ‘c.’ You can skip the pushups if you like, but feel free to include them. This one obviously has a lot more reps, but remember that they will go by quickly. Feel free to pick different exercises for each value of ‘a’ and ‘b’ to mix it up, just keep moving. To finish strong, redo the 100, 100, and 200 when you get down to 1.