Get Some Muscle Definition With October 2020’s Resolution!

As we approach Halloween, the pressure to come up with a cool costume increases. We asked earlier in the month what kind of costume you would have the most fun in, and while superheroes seemed to be the least popular (perhaps it’s easier for little kids to dress up as them?) we think they would make a great easy costume idea! Don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to the typical supe from blockbuster films — for example, you could show your Munzee spirit (and make things a lot easier for yourself) by dressing up as one of our Hometown Heroes! Whatever you choose, feeling fit and having the muscles to match will go a long way towards making you feel the part.

As we announced in our January Resolutions blog, we will be launching monthly Capture Streak Badges centered on a year of being active. Each month’s badge will be dedicated to practicing a different exercise. Similar to how our Super Streak badges operate, you will be awarded a badge if you capture at least one munzee* each day for the entire month. This month’s badge may be tricky to get, but we believe in you!

Each month’s badge will be themed around the particular resolution goal. For October, instead of a specific exercise, we’re focusing on a muscle group that starts with “o” — obliques! As depicted in the badge art below, your obliques are the muscles at the side of your body, which slant to the left and to the right, respectively. They are also known as “side abs.”

What are some exercises I can try to strengthen these muscles?

For starters, you can attempt the side plank as depicted in the badge art above! If that’s easy for you, you can increase the difficulty by doing hip dips, as suggested by Shape Magazine:

Lower slowly down until hip barely touches the ground, then lift back up. Do 10-12 reps, holding last rep for 15-30 seconds before dropping. Repeat on opposite side.

You may also be surprised to learn that Shape Magazine also recommends “Elevated Mountain Climbers.” You may recall the non-elevated version was the focus of our May Resolution. While they don’t obviously work out the sides of your body, perhaps keeping yourself lifted even higher off the ground (as opposed to regular mountain climbers) is key in activating your obliques! The last exercise we recommend from Shape Magazine’s article is called “Plank Hip Twists:” starting in a regular plank position, imagine there is a beach ball underneath your hips. Twist your hips to the left around this imaginary beach ball, then do the same to the right. If you are able, shoot for the recommended 3-4 sets of 10 reps.

Before you attempt any exercise, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor**. Good luck and Munzee on!

* In order to encourage active gameplay we will not count Social Munzees for these capture streaks. If you know you’ll be in an area without munzees, plan ahead! 

** MUNZEE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EXERCISE-RELATED INJURIES