Let me just start by saying that fitness is not my middle name, but I went on a run yesterday, so as per the rules of Instagram, I’m now a fitness influencer. I’m also in quarantine (like the rest of the world) and my couch is starting to form a dent the size of my ass, so it looks like it’s time to work out. When researching “how to work out” I instantly thought of Kourtney Kardashian, who, in case you didn’t know, is by far the most exciting Kardashian to look at. Kourtney’s trainer, Amanda Lee, shared the HIIT routine that she does with the reality star on Poosh, and for some reason, I thought that it would be a great idea to try it. I don’t know why I do this to myself. Honestly, Hell must have frozen over, because I am about to wear a sports bra and leggings for their actual intended purposes. I know, I can’t believe it either. I’m really happy that I did that sit-up last year, I feel like it has totally prepared me for this moment. So, for my health and your entertainment, I present to you, my experience doing Kourtney Kardashian’s HIIT workout.
What’s A HIIT Workout?
I’m pretty sure they call it a HIIT workout because when you’re done, you’re ready to hit the floor, and never get up again. While I prefer my definition, apparently HIIT actually stands for high-intensity interval training. It’s a full-body cardio workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and intervals of less-intense activity or total rest. HIIT workouts have become widely popular during this time of social distancing and sheltering in place, because they are efficient, effective, and don’t require any equipment. So, there is literally no excuse not to do it—sorry.
My typical exercise regimen normally includes long walks on the beach—wait no, sorry that’s my dating profile. My workouts generally entail a lot of walks with my dog, yoga, spontaneous dance parties, high incline on the treadmill, and the occasional sit-up when I can’t reach the remote. I’ve never really been a gym rat; I’d say I’m more like Pizza Rat. I’ve always preferred to get my exercise through sports like soccer, dance, snowboarding, etc. However, now that we are all staying indoors, those activities are limited, so I’m branching out. Wish me luck.
Kourtney Kardashian’s HIIT Workout
Kourt’s routine takes roughly 15 minutes to complete (depending on your resting time) and is made up of four different sequences. According to her trainer, Amanda Lee, this HIIT workout is great for someone who is super into cardio. I don’t know who that person is, but I can already tell that I don’t want to be friends with them. Now, without further ado, here is the workout. I’m already sweating just reading this.
⭐︎ Jump Squat into Jumping Lunges
⭐︎ Mountain Climber with Push-up
⭐︎ Burpee + 180 Squat Jump
⭐︎ Jumping Jack into Jumping Jack Plank
*Repeat entire circuit three times*
Move 1: Jump Squat Into Jumping Lunges
Amanda Lee’s directions (via Poosh):
“Start with jump squats. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Do a regular squat, then jump explosively. When you land, lower your body back into a squat position. After three reps, immediately begin to perform three jumping lunges. Start with your feet staggered, your left foot slightly in front of your right. Push off the bottom of both feet into a jump, switching the position of your feet midair, landing in a basic lunge with your right leg in front. Repeat this movement without rest, alternating which leg is front. Then go back to the three jump squats. Repeat for 30 seconds.” See the video here.
Okay, move one. I’m stretched, enthusiastic, and ready to build a butt with a round of squats. After the first rep I can say with confidence that I am not a huge fan of the jump squats. There’s nothing wrong with them per se, I just don’t like them. They feel super awkward with my baby giraffe-like legs, but hey, that’s just me. I am happy to report, however, that I’m enjoying the jumping lunges! I feel as if I have more control and am able to maintain a tighter core while switching my legs back and forth. I wouldn’t say that the 30 seconds flew by, but it wasn’t too horrible, which is a pretty damn good start in my opinion!
Move 2: Mountain Climber With Push-up
Amanda Lee’s directions (via Poosh):
“Start in a push-up position with your arms straight and your body in a straight line. Raise your right knee toward your chest, then switch legs, raising your left knee toward your chest. Continue for four reps and then bend your arms while lowering yourself down to perform a push-up. Repeat for 30 seconds.” See the video here.
I am actually in favor of mountain climbers, so this part wasn’t overly painful. The push-ups, however, I’ll just say “ugh”. To everyone who kept tagging me in push-up challenges on Instagram, I hope you’re happy now. Luckily there was only one push-up per rep, so I guess I could quit my complaining. I mean I won’t, but I suppose I could. Again, the 30 seconds, wasn’t so bad. In fact, it was almost downright bearable!
Move 3: Burpee + 180 Squat Jump
Amanda Lee’s directions (via Poosh):
“Squat down and put your hands on the floor in front of you. Jump both feet back so that you’re now in a plank position. Then jump your feet back in towards your hands. When you are back to standing, explosively jump into the air, reaching your arms straight overhead. From there, land into a squat position and perform a 180-degree turn jump squat. Perform another burpee facing the opposite direction. Repeat for 30 seconds.” See the video here.
I prefer to call these barfees, because that’s what I want to do right about now. This was by far the absolute worst part of Kourtney Kardashian’s HIIT workout. This is also about the time where I turned into The Little Engine That Could and kept chanting, “I think I can, I think I can” until I literally couldn’t anymore. This move was definitely successful in being a high-intensity workout as advertised, so kudos there. I was for sure feeling the “benefits” of this maneuver the next day, and I am sincerely happy that this part is over now.
Move 4: Jumping Jack Into Jumping Jack Plank
Amanda Lee’s directions (via Poosh):
“Start with 10 jumping jacks, then drop down into a plank position. Like the motion of a jumping jack, jump your legs wide and then back together. Repeat for 10 reps. Stand up and continue with 10 jumping jacks. Repeat for 30 seconds.” See the video here.
Disclaimer: I did play The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin Jack Flash” in order to properly prepare for this last exercise, so yeah, I’d say that I’m nailing this whole “working out” thing. Move four was, dare I say, kind of fun? Crazy, I know. The great thing about this final move is that you really don’t have to be a fitness aficionado to master it. Jumping jacks are fairly standard and pretty freaking hard to screw up, so it was right up my alley. While going from an upright position down to a plank gave me unsettling flashbacks of burpees, I enjoyed feeling like a fitness influencer for 30 seconds.
The Results
Holy sh*t am I sore! It all sounded so easy: about a 15-minute workout, four moves, no problem. Wrong. Problem, I am having a problem, and it’s the fact that I just now realized how woefully out of shape I am. I did weigh myself the next day, and oddly enough I didn’t lose 20 pounds after doing Kourtney Kardashian’s HIIT workout one time. Yeah, I know, I don’t get it either. But I do feel accomplished, and as far as workouts go, this one wasn’t that bad, which is truly high praise from me. It was familiar moves, zero equipment, and it definitely got my heart rate going.
My biggest piece of advice for anyone wanting to give this routine a try is to stretch beforehand! That probably goes without saying to all the fitness enthusiasts out there, but I’m saying it anyway. Seriously, stretch before attempting, and hopefully you’ll be able to bend down to tie your shoes the next day, unlike me. All in all, I would do this again. Maybe not this week, but once I regain the feeling in my legs I would absolutely do it again sometime in the near, or probably distant future.
I did it, I survived, and all I have left to say is ABCDEFG.
Images: Mora Gluskin (2)
