The scissor kick is often used to target the lower abs. However, this exercise does a poor job of working the abs. The hip flexors do most of the work. This exercise can be used in a continuum of ab exercises, but it should not be used as a primary ab exercise.
The step-up is a great exercise for the muscles of the upper leg. It effectively works the thighs, hips, and butt. The calf muscles work as synergists during the step-up exercise. They assist with balance. The step-up exercise can either be done one leg at a time or alternating between legs.
The perfect golf swing is the Holy Grail of all golfers. In the third and final part of his swing build program, David Blair gives you a full swing exercise that will train you to swing the golf club in one flowing movement rather than a series of awkward angular stages. Learn full swing exercises.
Sophie Rycott demonstrates how you can improve your balance and coordination with a balance ball. There are four exercises you can do: side tilts, opposite arm to leg lifts, spine twist, and paddling. Improve balance and coordination using a balance ball.
New to the Powertec Workbench Multisystem? Then let Team Powertec athlete Ian Lauer show you some basic moves for athletic development. He also discusses the importance of sports training and how regular training can help improve your game. There are a lot of exercises out there, but you need to use the right exercises with the right amount of weight and proper movements in order to be fully functional on the field.
Do you own a Powertech Workbench? If you do, learn how to exercise effectively while using the Powertec Workbench Multisystem in this walkthrough of the system. This tutorial will demonstrate how to make sure that every rep counts rather than just counting each rep. With appropriate technique, you will get the best out of your training session.
If you are sitting in front of a computer all day for your work, make the most of it by exercising your different muscle groups even while you are finishing a PowerPoint presentation or filling out cells in an Excel worksheet.
The contralateral superman exercise is ideal for working the lower back (erector spinae muscle). This exercise also works the hamstrings, butt, and shoulders. Some experts maintain that traditional supermans overload the spine in a potentially unsafe manner. Thus, contralateral supermans are usually the recommended alternative. With this technique, there is a reduced load on the lumbar spine. The following are instructions for contralateral supermans:
Good mornings are used primarily to work the lower back muscles. The hamstrings and gluteus muscles are also involved in the movement.
There are many variations of the side crunch exercise. This exercise works the oblique muscles. The lateral flexors of the spine (quadratus lumborum) are also involved in this exercise. The obliques are commonly referred to as the "love handles." They are used to assist with rotation of the torso. They are also instrumental during abdominal contractions.
This exercise is challenging! The static V-hold is a fairly simple exercise to perform. But if done correctly and at the right time, it can be very demanding. This exercise is most effective when performed as the last in a series of ab exercises; or basically, when the abs are completely fatigued.
This curl up is commonly used to test abdominal endurance. Many fitness certifying organizations use the curl up as a protocol for exercise testing. This exercise is similar to the abdominal crunch. However, the range of motion is greater than the crunch.
This exercise is good for abdominal strength and endurance. It is safe and easy to do. The crunch is one of the most incorrectly performed exercises. This exercise works best when done slowly.
If you don't think you are a creative person or you balk at the idea of taking art class, you can find ways to exercise your right brain in indirect ways, which will ultimately make you a more creative, intuitive person and help you come up with unexpected solutions for your problems.
You can certainly exercise at a fancy gym with a personal trainer and state-of-the-art equipment if you have the money and time to do so. However, if you are on a budget and don't want to waste extra time getting into your best gym clothes and driving, you can give yourself an intensive workout at home using only one dumbbell.
ProjectExciteBike is a device that harnesses the manpower pedaling speed of an exercise bike and in turn, converts the energy into a single control button on a gamepad (which would translate as the "gas pedal" for racing games). This particular project works with XBox 360, but can be adapted for other systems as well.
The obliques are used to assist with rotation of the torso, as well as basic abdominal contractions. This exercise is great if you want to target the oblique muscles. Unlike traditional abdominal exercises, the oblique twist works other muscle groups as well.
The double crunch exercise involves two movements: a traditional abdominal crunch and a reverse crunch or knee-in. The reverse crunch portion of this exercise is supposed to target the lower portion of the abdomen. However, it is important to note that whenever the knees move toward the chest from a supine position (on your back), the hip flexors are the prime movers.
Flutter kicks are often used to work the lower abs. Generally, flutter kicks are performed at the end of an abdominal workout when the abs are fatigued. In reality, this exercise does very little for abdominal development. The main muscles worked are the hip flexors. So if you are trying to get the most out of your abs workout, there are better options.
The supine abdominal bridge is a great core exercise. It is relatively easy to perform and requires no fancy equipment. While the abs are the primary focus, the supine abdominal bridge also works the thigh and hip muscles (e.g. gluteus, hamstrings, quadriceps). They each allow the "bridging" of the hips to take place. Here is how this exercise is done:
If you are looking to add excitement to the traditional abdominal crunch, consider rope climbers. In this exercise, the abs go through a similar range of motion as the classic ab crunch. However, two things make this exercise unique. The first is the "rope-pulling" motion. The second is the range of the upper back and shoulders. They come up a bit higher than in the crunch.
The prone (face down) bridge or plank is a great exercise if you are trying to develop the core. This exercise is unique in that it is done from a static position. There are no repetitive movements. The prone bridge strengthens the lower back, as well as several muscles in the upper body. If you are new to exercise, consider starting with a modified version of the prone bridge, then progress to a full bridge. A workout mat is recommended.
The seated leg extension is used to isolate the quadriceps muscles. The quadriceps muscles are located on the front of the thighs. As you might have guessed, there are four muscles that make up the quadriceps. Each muscle works in unison to extend the knee. In everyday life, the "quads" are used when you jump, walk, sit, kick, or stand.
The crab walk is a great exercise for the hips and butt. This exercise is fun, yet challenging. It is relatively easy to perform, although it can be demanding for some. You will want to ensure that the legs are thoroughly warmed up before doing this exercise.
During pregnancy, women will end up carrying a good amount of extra weight. While a third of the weight gained will come from the baby, the other two thirds come from the changes that happen in your body while you're pregnant.
The "cable preacher curl" will work the biceps in your arms and minimize stress on your wrists. Men's Health gives you all the details on this arms workout, great for bicep muscles.
This incremental workout from Men's Health is a great way to tone your back. Pay special attention to the technique!
Join Men's Health as they show you the "standing cable crunch" exercise, which uses a high-pulley cable to tone your abs. It's a great abs workout if you have the right equipment.
You'll need a stability ball for this "Swiss-ball cable Russian-twist" abs exercise from Men's Health. To progress in this particular exercise, simply increase the weight and use a fuller stability ball.
Get the perfect abs workout with Men's Health. By keeping tension in the band during this "torso rotation" exercise, and by rotating your body, you will target your core muscles.
External shoulder rotation exercises are done to work the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles. They include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. Each muscle works to rotate the arm externally (laterally) and internally (medially). The following are instructions for the cable external rotation shoulder exercise:
The push-up is one of the most recognizable upper body exercises. Push-ups are generally done to work the chest muscles. However, close grip push-ups primarily work the triceps. The following are instructions for performing the close grip push-up:
If you are looking for something different for the back muscles, consider the alternating pullover exercise. The largest muscle in the back is scientifically known as the latissimus dorsi. You might see it referred to as the "lats" or "wings." The lats are used any time you pull something. For example, when you open a fridge or a car door, you are primarily using your lat muscles. Here is how this exercise is done:
Alternating supermans are ideal for strengthening the deeper muscles of the lumbar spine. The abdominal muscles are also heavily involved in stabilizing the core during this exercise.
This exercise is one of the oldest exercises for stimulating the hip flexors and abdominals. However, individuals with low back pain should avoid performing this exercise; abdominal crunches might be a safer alternative.
The ball exchange is a fairly simple exercise that can be used to work the core muscles. It should be noted that this exercise requires extensive use of the hip flexors. These muscles reside on the uppermost part of the thigh, and are activated whenever the legs are elevated off the ground from a supine (on your back) position. Supine leg elevation can put a strain on the lumbar spine. Thus, the ball exchange is not recommended for those with lower back issues.
The slide board pike is an advanced exercise that requires "above average" upper body strength. Balance, flexibility, and muscular control are also important components of this exercise.
If you're looking for an easy oblique exercise, try the side crunch. The oblique muscles are used to assist with rotation of the torso, as well as basic abdominal contractions. It is important to note that even though the side crunch is an oblique exercise, the entire abdominal region is being worked.
Here is a simple exercise. Heel touchers are primarily used to work the oblique muscles. The obliques are used to assist with rotation of the torso, as well as basic abdominal contractions. The obliques are commonly referred to as the "love handles." It is important to note that even though the heel toucher is an oblique exercise, the entire abdominal area is being worked. A workout mat or soft surface is recommended.
The bicycle crunch is traditionally used to work the oblique muscles. While that may be true, this exercise is good for overall abdominal strengthening. The rectus abdominis (the "six pack" portion of the abs) is probably more active than are the obliques. Nevertheless, it is still an effective ab exercise. Instructions for the bicycle crunch are listed below:
