Turn On Power: Workouts to Power Up Your Muscles

Gunnar Peterson's Plyo Exercises

These power-boosting moves from Beverly Hills-based trainer Gunnar Peterson will light a calorie-torching fire under your weight workout -- and firm up your body from head to toe.

Depth jump

• Place two platforms about a foot or so away from each other (use plyo boxes at the gym or sturdy aerobic steps or benches at home). One should be slightly higher than the other (you can increase the height as you get stronger).
• Stand on the shorter platform facing the taller one. Hop down off shorter platform, landing on both feet, then lower into a squat and jump up onto the taller platform.
• Step off the taller platform, go back to the shorter platform and repeat.
• Do 8 to 10 reps.

Plyo push-up

• Get in full push-up position on floor, arms extended with body forming a straight line from head to heels. MAKE IT EASIER: Place hands on a low sturdy platform or a countertop (the higher the surface, the easier the push-up). Or, start in modified push-up position on your knees and progress to your toes as you get stronger.
• Bend elbows, lowering chest down, then push up as hard as you can, trying to catch some air.
• Land and immediately lower into a push-up again.
• Do 8 to 10 reps.

Band squat press

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart on the center of a resistance tube and hold an end in each hand next to shoulders, palms facing forward. (The tube should be taut.)
• Lower into a squat, keeping hands next to shoulders, then rise up as fast as you can.
• Press arms overhead. MAKE IT EASIER: Keep hands by shoulders.
• Do 10 to 12 reps, repeating squats as fast as you can.