Ball Pushup Feet on Ball
If your push ups are too easy you can perform them with your feet on a ball. By raising your feet you add more resistance to the upper chest muscles, much like the incline bench press. The swiss ball also adds the extra challenge of maintaining your balance while performing the exercise. The instability challenges your core and activates the abdominals, low back and obliques.
Barbell Complex
The barbell complex is a "hybrid" exercise combining the hang clean, back squat and shoulder press. There are many variation of this exercise, but most often it is performed with an Olympic lift, squat, push and pull. It's very demanding on your short-term energy systems and is effective for conditioning for sports. You can use a PVC pipe, wood dowel or empty barbell to begin. Once you feel comfortable with the movements you can slowly add weight.
Barbell Forward Lunge
The barbell forward lunge strengthens the glutes and thighs. You can take a shorter step forward if you are just learning to perform lunges. Once you have performed a few sets you can increase your stride length to activate the hamstrings and glutes. Dumbbells may be used in place of a barbell if you have difficulty balancing the bar on your back. The barbell forward lunge can be included in your lower-body workout or circuit training routine.
Hanging Knee Raise
The Hanging Knee Raise is an advanced abdominal exercise. To perform this exercise correctly you will need to have good trunk, upper body and grip strength. If you are ready for a challenge, give this exercise a try.
Leg-Tucked Medicine-Ball Crunch
The leg-tucked medicine "med" ball crunch strengthens the abdominals and obliques. The med ball makes flexion of the spine more difficult, therefore increasing the difficulty of the exercise. Depending on your goals - choose a lighter ball for muscular endurance or a heavier one for muscular strength. The leg-tucked position decreases the hip flexor involvement.
Assisted Pull-Up
The assisted pull-up can be performed by people of all ability levels. It is on outstanding exercise for strengthening the large muscles of the back.
Lat Pulldowns
Lat pulldowns build strength and definition in the upper back "lat" muscles. Lat pulldowns are an appropriate substitute for beginners who can't perform pull-ups or chin-ups. The wide grip lat pulldown activates the latissimus dorsi muscle which provides the sought after "V" taper bodybuilders desire most.
Low Pulley Rows
The seated low pulley row is a compound exercise for the back, shoulders, and biceps.
Reverse-Grip Pull-up
The reverse grip pull up is a great exercise that strengthens and tones your back. It also strengthens your biceps and grip at the same time. If you are unable to do pull ups on your own you can have your workout partner assist you. You can also do kipping pull ups. A good goal is 20 reverse grip pull ups.
Assisted Pull-Up
The assisted pull-up can be performed by people of all ability levels. It is on outstanding exercise for strengthening the large muscles of the back.
Dumbbell Curl -- Seated
Dumbbell curls performed while seated isolate the biceps (elbow flexors). Dumbbell curls are a great way to develop definition in the arms. Supinate (palms up) your wrists for a peak-contraction of the bicep muscles. Seated curls can be performed at home or at the gym with dumbbells and a bench.
Low Pulley Rows
The seated low pulley row is a compound exercise for the back, shoulders, and biceps.
Preacher "Scott" Curl
The preacher curl is an isolation exercise for the biceps. The use of the preacher bench increased tension on the biceps muscles. Remember to warm up before beginning your set.
Reverse-Grip Pull-up
The reverse grip pull up is a great exercise that strengthens and tones your back. It also strengthens your biceps and grip at the same time. If you are unable to do pull ups on your own you can have your workout partner assist you. You can also do kipping pull ups. A good goal is 20 reverse grip pull ups.
Calf Raise on Step
The calf raise on a step utilizes a greater range-of-motion (ROM) than the calf raise from the floor. This increase in range-of-motion will deliver more real-world benefits, such as increased ankle flexibility and strength. This provides more stability when running or playing sports. The calf raise on a step can be used as a warm-up or cool-down exercise. It can be included in your lower-body workout to shape and define your lower legs.
Arc Trainer
The arc trainer is a great way to improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. This is a low impact exercise and therefore is good for people with join pain in the knees and hips.The upper-body component gives you a good workout and provides additional calorie burning effects.The arc trainer shapes the legs and butt.
Assisted Dips
The assisted dip exercise is a compound exercise for the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Use a weight that allows you to control your movement. Avoid momentum and concentrate on squeezing the chest and triceps.
Ball Pushup Feet on Ball
If your push ups are too easy you can perform them with your feet on a ball. By raising your feet you add more resistance to the upper chest muscles, much like the incline bench press. The swiss ball also adds the extra challenge of maintaining your balance while performing the exercise. The instability challenges your core and activates the abdominals, low back and obliques.
Barbell Bench Press
The bench press is often referred to as the "king" of upper-body exercise. The bench press develops strength in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Using a barbell allows you to lift more weight than using dumbbells because you do not have to focus on stabilizing the weight as you push up. It's important to keep your feet on the floor for stability and always use a spotter for safety. The bench press should be a staple in your upper-body workouts.
Arc Trainer
The arc trainer is a great way to improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. This is a low impact exercise and therefore is good for people with join pain in the knees and hips.The upper-body component gives you a good workout and provides additional calorie burning effects.The arc trainer shapes the legs and butt.
Ball Pushup Feet on Ball
If your push ups are too easy you can perform them with your feet on a ball. By raising your feet you add more resistance to the upper chest muscles, much like the incline bench press. The swiss ball also adds the extra challenge of maintaining your balance while performing the exercise. The instability challenges your core and activates the abdominals, low back and obliques.
Barbell Complex
The barbell complex is a "hybrid" exercise combining the hang clean, back squat and shoulder press. There are many variation of this exercise, but most often it is performed with an Olympic lift, squat, push and pull. It's very demanding on your short-term energy systems and is effective for conditioning for sports. You can use a PVC pipe, wood dowel or empty barbell to begin. Once you feel comfortable with the movements you can slowly add weight.
Barbell Forward Lunge
The barbell forward lunge strengthens the glutes and thighs. You can take a shorter step forward if you are just learning to perform lunges. Once you have performed a few sets you can increase your stride length to activate the hamstrings and glutes. Dumbbells may be used in place of a barbell if you have difficulty balancing the bar on your back. The barbell forward lunge can be included in your lower-body workout or circuit training routine.
45-Degree Leg Press
The 45-degree leg press is a safe and effective way to exercise the major muscles groups of your legs. The leg press is a good alternative for people who are unable or uncomfortable with performing a back squat. An advantage of the leg press is that it allows you to use more weight than a free weight squat. It's also to add variety to your workout routine.
Assisted Dips
The assisted dip exercise is a compound exercise for the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Use a weight that allows you to control your movement. Avoid momentum and concentrate on squeezing the chest and triceps.
Alternating Dumbbell Shoulder Press -- Seated
The alternating dumbbell shoulder press performed seated focuses on the shoulders and triceps. Using dumbbells allows you to change your hand position which changes the focus placed on the shoulders. Therefore the alternating dumbbell shoulder press is an effective way to add variety to your shoulder routine. The seated position prevents you from cheating on the exercise with too much weight. By alternating each arm you allow the muscles just enough rest to squeeze out a few extra reps.
Ball Pushup Feet on Ball
If your push ups are too easy you can perform them with your feet on a ball. By raising your feet you add more resistance to the upper chest muscles, much like the incline bench press. The swiss ball also adds the extra challenge of maintaining your balance while performing the exercise. The instability challenges your core and activates the abdominals, low back and obliques.
Barbell Bench Press
The bench press is often referred to as the "king" of upper-body exercise. The bench press develops strength in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Using a barbell allows you to lift more weight than using dumbbells because you do not have to focus on stabilizing the weight as you push up. It's important to keep your feet on the floor for stability and always use a spotter for safety. The bench press should be a staple in your upper-body workouts.
Bench Dip -- Feet Elevated
Bench dips with feet elevated develops strength in the deltoids and triceps. When your feet are elevated off the floor emphasis is placed on the triceps and shoulders. Experienced weightlifters and bodybuilders use extra weight when performing bench dips to stimulate strength development and size (hypertrophy). Plates are placed on the thighs and a training partner assists in adding and removing the weight when ready. Bench dips can be performed at home or at the gym with a couple of benches.
Dumbbell Lateral Raise -- Seated
The dumbbell lateral raise performed seated isolates the medial head of the deltoids. If you raise your arms above the horizontal plane you activate the trapezius. Dumbbell lateral raises are typically performed with moderate weight. The "lat" raise is a standard shoulder exercise found in most workout routines. You may change the load on the shoulders by turning your palms down, up, or out. Experiment with various grips to vary the angle of work and keep your muscles challenged.
Dumbbell Shoulder External Rotation -- Side Lying
Dumbbell shoulder external rotation - side lying targets the external rotators of the shoulders. The external rotators are susceptible to injuries and should be strengthened before increasing loads on bench presses, cleans, and snatches. Throwing and swinging motions also put weak external rotators at risk. You may place a rolled up towel under the elbow for better isolation of the infraspinatus and teres minor.
Reverse-Grip Pull-up
The reverse grip pull up is a great exercise that strengthens and tones your back. It also strengthens your biceps and grip at the same time. If you are unable to do pull ups on your own you can have your workout partner assist you. You can also do kipping pull ups. A good goal is 20 reverse grip pull ups.
Assisted Dips
The assisted dip exercise is a compound exercise for the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Use a weight that allows you to control your movement. Avoid momentum and concentrate on squeezing the chest and triceps.
Ball Pushup Feet on Ball
If your push ups are too easy you can perform them with your feet on a ball. By raising your feet you add more resistance to the upper chest muscles, much like the incline bench press. The swiss ball also adds the extra challenge of maintaining your balance while performing the exercise. The instability challenges your core and activates the abdominals, low back and obliques.
Barbell Bench Press
The bench press is often referred to as the "king" of upper-body exercise. The bench press develops strength in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Using a barbell allows you to lift more weight than using dumbbells because you do not have to focus on stabilizing the weight as you push up. It's important to keep your feet on the floor for stability and always use a spotter for safety. The bench press should be a staple in your upper-body workouts.
Bench Dip -- Feet Elevated
Bench dips with feet elevated develops strength in the deltoids and triceps. When your feet are elevated off the floor emphasis is placed on the triceps and shoulders. Experienced weightlifters and bodybuilders use extra weight when performing bench dips to stimulate strength development and size (hypertrophy). Plates are placed on the thighs and a training partner assists in adding and removing the weight when ready. Bench dips can be performed at home or at the gym with a couple of benches.
Lying Triceps Extension
The lying triceps extension (skull crushers) is a great exercise for building strength and size in the upper arms. This exercise works all three heads of the triceps brachii (medial, lateral, long). Use dumbbells for reduced load on the wrists and an increased range of motion.
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