9 Strength Training Moves to Master for Total-Body Toning

How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a kettlebell in front of your chest, elbows pointing toward the floor. Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower into a squat. Push yourself back to start. That's one rep. Complete 15.

How to: Stand with your feet wider than hip-distance apart, hands at your sides. Keeping your feet planted on the ground, push your hips back, bend one knee and lower your bodyweight over it while your other leg remains straight. Make sure your knee is in line with your foot. Pause, then push back to start. Repeat on the other side. That's one rep. Complete 15.

How to: Stand about two feet in front of a step; extend your left leg back and place your foot on the step. (Optional: Hold a dumbbell in each hand.) That's your starting position. Bend your knees to lower your body as far as you can (or until your knee hovers right above the ground), keeping your shoulders back and chest up. Pause, then press through your right heel to return to start. That's one rep. Complete 15 on each side for a full set.

How to: Stand up straight, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lift your hands into the air above your head, palms facing forward, with biceps by your ears. (Note: You can use dumbbells for an added challenge.) Keeping your back straight and core engaged, slowly lower your arms by your sides until your elbows are bent at 90 degrees. Be sure to squeeze your shoulder blades at the bottom of this movement. Then bring your arms back to the starting position. That's one rep. Complete 15.

How to: Stand up straight with feet hip-width apart and a dumbbell in your right hand. Bring both your biceps to your ears, then grab your right elbow with your left hand. From here, extend your right hand toward the sky, then slowly lower back down behind your head. That's one rep. Complete 15 on each side for a full set.

How to: Start in a high-plank position with one hand on top of a yoga block or elevated surface. (Note: You can drop to your knees for a modified version.) Engage your core, keep your legs straight, and hips level. Slowly lower yourself toward the ground bracing your core. Stop when your elbows get to 90 degrees. Push hard into the ground to lift your body back up in one long line. That’s one rep. Complete 15 on each side for a full set.

How to: Sit on your mat and hold a single dumbbell (or kettlebell) in front of your chest. Balance on your tailbone with both your shoulders and legs off the ground. Engage your core to stabilize your body. This is your starting point. While maintaining this hold, lift your weight straight up into the air, then lower back down in front of your chest. That's one rep. Complete 15.

How to: Come down into a plank on your forearms, toes tucked, elbows under shoulders, and hips at the same height as shoulders. Pick up one arm and press that hand into the ground toward a high, straight-arm plank; do the same action with the other hand to complete the transition from low plank to high. With the lead arm, lower back to your forearm, then follow with the other hand. Try to avoid moving your hips throughout the move. That's one rep. Complete 15, alternating your starting arm.

How to: Stand with your feet hip-distance apart, with a weight in one hand (dumbbell or kettlebell). Place your other hand on your hip. Lower the weight below your knee by side bending through straight legs. Then, using your obliques, return to the starting position. That's one rep. Complete 15 on each side for a full set.