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.
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The "inverted row" is a great move for the beginner who cannot yet perform a proper chin-up or pull-up. Men's Health shows you the ins and outs of this arm exercise.
You can't see all of your leg muscles, but that doesn't mean you can neglect them. Men's Health provides this workout video about the "clean pull" exercise. This move will work all of those muscles you can't see! Great legs workout.
The superman exercise can be used to work the lower back (erector spinae muscle). This exercise also works the hamstrings, butt, and shoulders. Some experts maintain that the superman exercise overloads the spine in a potentially unsafe manner. Thus, contralateral supermans are usually preferred. The contralateral superman exercise involves raising only one arm and the opposing leg (e.g. left arm, right leg). With this technique, there is a reduced load on the lumbar spine. The following are ...
The standing side bend is similar to the side crunch exercise. The only difference is that the upper body has to resist gravity in the side crunch exercise. Side bends require weighted resistance to resist gravity, but the movement is virtually the same as the side crunch. This exercise is supposed to target the obliques, but the lateral flexors of the spine (quadratus lumborum) are also involved. The obliques are commonly referred to as "love handles." They are used to assist with rotation o...
The seated chest press can be done from any chair with a seat back. This exercise is great for shaping and strengthening the chest muscles. The chest is scientifically named the pectoralis. This muscle is used any time you push a chair up to the table, shut a car door, or push a shopping cart. There are two muscles that make up the pectoralis. They are the pectoralis major and minor. The pectoralis major is always the prime mover during chest exercises.
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.
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.
Justin Rose shows us an easy exercise to improve hitting a fade and a draw. The strokes are very similar only the take away is different for each shot. Do an exercise to improve hitting a fade & a draw.
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:
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:
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.
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 version of the leg curl is one of the most demanding hamstring exercises you will find. One should at least have an intermediate level of workout experience before attempting this exercise. A certain degree of muscle control is required in order to be able to stabilize the ball. But with a bit of practice, anyone can master this exercise. It is important to thoroughly warm up your hamstrings before performing this exercise, as the starting resistance level is high.
In this video tutorial, viewers learn a workout routine that will strengthen and improve the flexibility of the hip girdle. This routine contains 12 exercises. The exercises and the amounts of reps for each exercise are: clams (8 reps per leg), lateral leg raises (15 reps per leg), donkey kicks (8 reps per leg), donkey whips (5 reps per leg), fire hydrant (8 reps per leg), knee circle forward (5 reps per leg), backward knee circle (5 reps per leg), forward leg hurdle (5 reps per leg), backwar...
Who would've guess you can clean your floors and exercise at the same time? Not to say that housecleaning isn't a workout in itself, but a real workout, a real intense workout, you can't get mopping or dusting. See how to get ripped abs doing this easy abdominal exercise in your house. You will actually get six pack abs and clean your house at the same time.
In this advanced work workout video, the instructor Joel Harper shows how to do an intense 20 minute workout. He starts by showing how to rotate the shoulders in circles forwards and backwards. Next, he demonstrates how to make circles with full arms both forewords and backwards. After that, he shows an exercise to bubble the hands and hold the leg in the air at the same time. Then, he shows other kind of exercises where he moves his hands intensely to burn out calories. He also shows some ot...
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 "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.
If you are looking for a different exercise to work the back muscles, try the med ball pullover. 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.
Slide board knee tucks are great for anyone looking for a challenging abdominal exercise. This movement requires a great deal of upper body strength. It is important to note that whenever the knees move toward the chest, the hip flexors (e.g. iliopsoas) are heavily involved.
The pec fly with resistance tubing is great for shaping and strengthening the chest muscles. The chest is scientifically named the pectoralis (hence "pec" fly). This muscle is used any time you push a chair up to the table, shut a car door, or push a shopping cart. There are two muscles that make up the pectoralis. They are the pectoralis major and minor. The pectoralis major is always the prime mover during chest exercises.
If you are trying to work the hips and butt, this exercise is for you! The side kick mainly targets the gluteus muscles. Any movement away from the center of the body is known as "abduction."
Negative chin-up… what's that? It's when you focus more on coming down than going up. And Men's Health shows you just how to do the "negative chin-up" exercise. Chin-ups will work your back, biceps, and forearms muscles.
The chin-up… everybody hates them. But it's one of the best exercise you can do to improve arm strength. Men's Health shows you the correct way to do a "chin up" in this exercise video. When performing a chin-up, keeping a slight bend maintains tension in your biceps.
The only way to gain strength in your arms is to work them out. And this "dumbbell tricep extension" from Men's Health is just what you need. This exercise is aimed at isolating the triceps muscle of the upper arm.
In this video, Coach Jay demonstrates the pedestal routine, which utilizes aspects of yoga and Pilates. There are three factors which should be taken into account before starting: first, you should maintain your breathing throughout. Next, make sure to engage the muscles around your core, and make sure that you have a straight line from your foot to your shoulder in each exercise. Keeping this in mind, begin by holding a push-up position for 30 seconds, keeping your body straight. Next, turn ...
This is Fitness for Dummies. Learn how to do simple weight exercises. Strengthen your shoulder muscles with the shoulder press. This exercise also works your upper back and triceps. Work out at home with this video for strong, toned shoulders. Do a barbell shoulder press.
The supine pull-up is generally performed on a Smith machine. This exercise is a modified version of the classic pull-up. It is sometimes referred to as an inverted pull-up. The first step in this exercise is to adjust the bar height. The bar height should be approximately 4 feet high. You can adjust the bar height as needed. Next, ensure your handgrip is slightly wider than shoulder width apart. For this exercise, use an overhand grip. With your arms fully extended, pull yourself (neck/chest...
This video guide demonstrates the best back exercises to use with the Powertec Workbench Multisystem. A lot of people focus more on training the chest and forget about the importance of developing the back muscles - creating an odd posture. This doesn't only look odd but also makes you more susceptible to injury. Be sure to use exercise equipment properly, otherwise you risk hurting yourself.
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 seated row with resistance tubing is a great back 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.
The cable pullover is a great way to work the upper back muscles. This exercise also works just about all the muscles of the upper body to some degree. 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.
The Smith machine shrug is a great way to target the trapezius muscle. Despite popular belief, the trapezius is not part of the shoulders. It is a back muscle that allows the shoulders to move in different directions (e.g. elevating and lowering the shoulders).
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.
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.
Are you tired of doing the same exercises for abs? The jackknife crunch may be the answer to your problems. This exercise effectively works the core muscles. It should be noted that whenever the knees move toward the chest (the jackknife motion), the hip flexors are involved. The hip flexor muscles are actually part of the upper leg. They allow you to kick a ball or lift the knee from a standing position (as in running). Thus, if you are trying to isolate the abs, there are better alternative...
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.
