Video Exercise of the Week: Mountain Climbers

EXERCISE OF WEEK - MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS - FUNK ROBERTS - The best home videos are here


The word calisthenics always brings me back to gym class and pee wee football. I hated them back then. Now, I find myself using them more and more in my workouts, and funny enough, they work better than any cardio machine I’ve ever used in the gym.


One such exercise is the Mountain Climbers which just happens to be one of my all-time favorites. It’s an awesome move that adds intensity to your workouts, while increasing endurance, strength and agility. I use this exercise in a circuit or as an active rest between exercises during my conditioning and fat burning mode.

How to perform the Mountain Climber: Begin in a pushup position on the hands and toes. Bring the right knee in towards the chest, resting the foot on the floor. Jump up and switch feet in the air, bringing the left foot in and the right foot back. Continue alternating the feet as fast as you safely can for 30-60 seconds.

This move is advanced so, if you feel any discomfort or pain, you may want to avoid it. You can also modify by elevating the hands on a secured small step or bench, which some people may find more comfortable.

Benefits of adding the Mountain Climber

Strengthen the core
Build strength in your arms, shoulder and chest
Increase your cardio
Awesome plyometrics exercise



Funk Tips

• Keep shoulder width stance
• Contract your stomach
• Put your weight into your hands; do not try to put it all on your feet.
• Ensure your weight is equally distributed between your feet
• Keep hips low
• Keep elbows inside knees
• Exhale as your knees come up to the elbows