Ariel Yu: Fitness Influencer and Content Creator
Ariel Yu, known as arielyu.fit on Instagram, on Instagram, is a fitness influencer and content creator who shares her fitness journey and tips with her followers.
Instagram Presence
On Instagram, Ariel shares a variety of content, including workout tips, exercise routines, and fitness advice. Her posts are informative and engaging, providing her followers with valuable insights into fitness and health.
The Workouts
The reel displays the high plank position, which is a fundamental bodyweight exercise that targets the core, shoulders, arms, and glutes. Here's a tutorial on how to perform a high plank:
Starting Position:
Start on all fours with your hands flat on the floor, shoulders stacked directly above your wrists.
Extend your legs back, coming up onto your toes and straightening your body into one straight line.
Form and Alignment:
Engage your core by pulling your belly button towards your spine, and keep your back flat.
Ensure that your body forms a straight line from your head to your heels.
Keep your hands flat and fingers spread, pressing through your palms and the balls of your feet.
Gaze slightly ahead of your hands or down at the floor to keep your neck in a neutral position.
Duration:
Hold this position for a set amount of time, starting from 20 seconds to a minute or longer, as you build up strength.
Breathe steadily throughout the hold, maintaining tension in your core, quads, and glutes.
Avoid letting your hips sag or lift too high, as this can put unnecessary pressure on your lower back and reduce the effectiveness of the exercise. Adjust your stance by widening your feet if you need more stability.
@arielyu.fit Dumbbell RDL vs Sumo squat, know the differences, more glutes versus more adductors ##quads##glutes##gymtip##glutesworkout##gymtok##rdl##squats##legday##gymmotivation ♬ 原聲 - Ariel Yu
The workout depicted in the reel is known as "Step Ups," which are beneficial for targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. Here is a step-by-step tutorial:
Equipment Setup: Use a sturdy bench, box, or step platform that is knee height or slightly lower.
Starting Position:
Stand upright with the bench in front of you.
Place one foot fully on the bench, ensuring that your foot is flat.
Performing the Step Up:
Press through your heel to lift your body, stepping up onto the bench.
As you step up, bring your other leg up to either rest on the bench or raise the knee high for a balance challenge.
Step down with control, returning to the starting position.
Repetitions:
Perform the desired number of reps on one leg, then switch and repeat with the other leg.
Maintain a tall posture throughout the exercise, and avoid using momentum to lift yourself up.
This exercise can be done using body weight, or for added difficulty, you can hold dumbbells in your hands or use a barbell. It's important to ensure that the knee of the working leg does not extend over the toes as you step up to prevent strain on the knee joint.
@arielyu.fit Top 4 of my favorite exercises to build your lower body & glutes dumbbells only! .Bulgarian Split Squat 3X10-12 Goblet Squat 3X10-12 .Sumo Squat 3X10-12 RDL 3X10-12 #gymtips #glutes #gymrat #glutesworkout #legday #gymmotivation #fyp #gymgirl #gymtok #squat #bulgariansplitsquat #rdl ♬ original sound - Ariel Yu
The reel depicts a sequence of exercises including Bulgarian Split Squats, Goblet Squats, Sumo Squats, and Romanian Deadlifts (RDL). Here's a brief tutorial for each:
Bulgarian Split Squat:
Stand facing away from a bench, with one foot elevated behind you on the bench.
Lower your body down by bending your front knee, keeping your torso upright.
Push up through your front heel to return to the start position.
Goblet Squat:
Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Hold a dumbbell or kettlebell close to your chest.
Squat down, keeping your back straight and chest up, then return to standing.
Sumo Squat:
Take a wide stance with your toes pointed outwards.
Holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in front of you, squat down while keeping your chest lifted.
Return to standing, squeezing your glutes at the top.
Romanian Deadlift (RDL):
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a barbell in front of you.
Hinge at your hips to lower the barbell, keeping a slight bend in your knees.
Lower the barbell until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings, then return to standing.
For all exercises, ensure proper form to maximize effectiveness and minimize risk of injury. It's best to start with light weights or body weight to master the technique before progressing to heavier weights.
The exercise in the image is a hip thrust, which is effective for targeting the gluteus muscles. Here’s how to perform a hip thrust:
Equipment Setup: Position a bench or stable platform behind you. It should be about knee height. If using a barbell for added resistance, place it in the hip crease with padding for comfort.
Starting Position:
Sit on the ground with the bench directly behind you. Lean against the bench so that your shoulder blades are near the top of it.
If using a barbell, roll it over your legs until it's directly over your hips. Place your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
Performing the Exercise:
Begin by driving through your feet, extending your hips vertically. The barbell should be supported by your pelvis.
Extend as far as possible, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.
Pause at the top, then lower your hips back down to the ground with control.
Repetitions: Perform the exercise for the desired number of repetitions, typically between 8 to 15 reps for 2 to 4 sets.
Note that hip thrusts can be performed with just body weight, with a barbell, or with dumbbells. Ensure you maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement to avoid straining your lower back.
Other Platforms
In addition to Instagram, Ariel has a presence on several other platforms:
TikTok: Ariel has a significant following on TikTok, where she shares short videos of her workouts and fitness tips. Her content ranges from exercises to build your lower body to tips for better stability and form.
Linktree: Ariel uses Linktree to consolidate all her online platforms and resources in one place1. Here, followers can find links to her YouTube channel, Amazon storefront, and discount codes for fitness products.
Facebook: Ariel also shares her fitness tips and workout routines on Facebook.
Fitness Philosophy
Ariel’s fitness philosophy centers around making fitness accessible and enjoyable. She provides a variety of workouts and tips, catering to different fitness levels and goals. Her content is not only informative but also inspiring, encouraging her followers to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Conclusion
Ariel Yu is a fitness influencer who has successfully leveraged social media to share her fitness journey and inspire others. Her engaging content and practical fitness tips have earned her a significant following on various platforms, making her a notable figure in the online fitness community.
