Plyometrics: Jump on It!

Here's some news to make you kick up your heels: A smokin' hot bod may be just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Some of the best workouts for women incorporate superfast explosive movements to fire up your fitness level by improving your coordination and agility. And one University of Nebraska study found that participants who improved their vertical jump also logged significantly faster 10-K running times. Even better: All that bounding and leaping builds lean muscle mass, your express ticket to a sleeker shape.

In trainer-speak, these moves are called plyometrics, and they're one of the most effective ways to torch calories and burn serious fat. "Plyometric exercises—whether they're jumps or quick upper-body movements—increase the elastic properties of your muscles, which over time allows them to handle intense workloads more efficiently," says Diane Vives, owner of Fit4Austin and president of Vives Training Systems in Austin, Texas. The result: Your muscles adapt to more challenging fitness workouts faster, so you see body-shaping results sooner.

A TIP FROM BODYNRICHED FITNESS!!