Sometimes exercises can get a bit too fancy for their own good. Personally, I'm not much of a fan of "entertainment fitness," as I think it does more to inflate the ego than it does the muscles. Instead, I think it's actually better to stick to the basics. Well, they don't come any more basic than the Farmer's Walk.

However, basic or not, the Farmer's Walk is yet another example of how effective functional training methods can be. By mimicking the movement used by farmers when pushing a heavy wheelbarrow, you can build strength in your trapezius muscles, deltoids, legs, and grip. Plus, all that weighted walking will help you burn some serious calories and improve cardiovascular endurance.

I hate to make the exercise sound so simple, but all you really need to do to perform it is grab a set of weights and walk around. That's basically it. You can use kettlebells, dumbbells, or even weight plates to do the Farmer's Walk. Keeping the weights by your sides, with your arms fully extended, walk back and forth across a cleared path or section of your gym. If you find that you're walking for several minutes without getting tired, it's an indication that you should up the weight a bit. Set a goal for yourself (ex. 3 trips up and back across your gym) and visualize yourself pushing that stone-filled wheelbarrow. And, feel free to vary the pace of your walk to maximize results.