TikTok isn’t always the source of safe and sound advice when it comes to your health. But there is plenty of good information, too, around exercise and wellness. Our doctors offer three workout trends on TikTok that might be worth a try.

1.) 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout

The 12-3-30 treadmill workout first debuted in 2019, but it has grown in popularity ever since. It’s pretty simple: You walk on a treadmill at an incline of 12 and a speed of 3 miles per hour for 30 minutes.

“Walking generally is a very effective low-impact exercise,” says Patrick Roth, M.D., neurosurgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center. “But walking briskly at a steep incline—like you do with the 12-3-30 workout—can be a more intense activity and can work your muscles in your buttocks and legs even more.” 

2.) Functional Fitness Training

Functional fitness training encompasses exercises that mimic movements you make in your everyday life. These exercises may incorporate bending, twisting, squatting, stair-climbing, pushing and pulling—all similar movements that you use when carrying a heavy item, hauling in groceries from the car or bending over to pick up a dropped item. 

“Functional fitness exercises aren’t just effective for strength training, but they can also improve your ability to do everyday tasks safely,” says Cristobal Beiro, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Old Bridge Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center who specializes in sports-related injuries.

3.) Plank Dance Challenge

The plank dance challenge involves holding the high plank position—face down with your legs extended, toes curled to the floor and arms parallel and extended—while you do a series of movements to the beat of a song. Those movements might include lifting your arms up and down and jumping your legs in and out.

“The plank dance challenge targets core muscle groups and also engages your arm, leg and back muscles,” says Anthony Petrosini, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center who specializes in sports-related injuries. “It’s certainly a high-intensity exercise, but the music can make it fun to do. But this exercise can put a good deal of stress on your shoulders, so if you start to experience any shoulder pain, discontinue this exercise.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Patrick Roth, M.D., Cristobal Beiro, M.D., and Anthony Petrosini, M.D.
• To make an appointment with a primary care provider near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about our primary care services.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.