How to Do a Turkish Get Up

Imagine lying on your back and then getting off the floor to a standing position, over and over again. Imagine holding a weight over your head as you do it. This mental image should give you a basic sketch of the Turkish Get Up. This classic strength-training move is all about functional fitness involving every major muscle group as you make your way to being upright and return back to the floor.

To start, try the exercise with no weights. When you've mastered the choreography, graduate to a five-pound dumbbell or kettlebell. Popular in boot camps and CrossFit, the Turkish Get Up can be done holding serious poundage above your head, but I find the move challenging sans weights, too. It is crucial, especially when working with heavier weights, that you keep your eyes on the weight the entire time. This helps keep your arm in the correct position so it doesn't drift off behind your head, putting your shoulder in a dangerous position.