The modified prone (face down) bridge or "plank" is a great exercise if you are trying to develop the core muscles. This exercise is unique in that it is done from a static position. There are no repetitive movements. The modified prone bridge strengthens the lower back, as well as several muscles in the upper body. A workout mat is recommended.
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 one arm dumbbell chest press is perfect for strengthening the pectoralis (chest) muscles. Most chest exercises involve compound movements, or the use of more than one joint. Invariably, the triceps and anterior deltoid are often involved in chest exercises.
Dive bombers are one of many variations of the push-up exercise. It is excellent for upper body conditioning. The dive bomber push-up is a bodyweight exercise, which means that no special equipment is required.
Here is an exercise that really works the gluteus muscles. It is relatively easy to perform. However, for this exercise to be effective, it does require a bit of skill and proper technique. A workout mat is recommended.
The prone hip extension exercise is used to target the gluteus muscles. It is relatively easy to perform. This exercise is sometimes called the reverse hyperextension.
The quadruped is a highly effective exercise that doesn't require expensive equipment. You will definitely feel this one working. The quadruped leg lift is also referred to as the "fire hydrant" exercise.
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.
This video from Men's Health shows you the proper way to get a fit chest by doing a barbell bench press. Safety first!
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.
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.
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.
A common problem for many guitarists is what I call the intermediate plateau. As a beginner, you improved rapidly. You got faster and more fluid almost on a daily basis. Then it stopped. However hard you practice, you don’t seem to get any better.
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.
Assisted pull-ups, as the name implies, allow you to perform pull-ups with help. In this exercise, the help is in the form of heavy duty rubber bands. This version of the pull-up is a great alternative for those who are unable to perform a traditional pull-up.
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:
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.
The shoulder or deltoid is made up of three muscular heads: anterior (front), medial (middle), and posterior (rear). Each head plays a different role in how the shoulder moves. The front shoulder raise mainly works the front head of the shoulder, although each head assists with the movement. As with most shoulder exercises, this one can be performed seated or standing. It can also be done one arm at a time or in alternating fashion. Here is how it's done:
The bow and arrow pull is a simple exercise that is great for working the back muscles. This exercise also targets other muscles such as the triceps, biceps, and shoulders. The bow and arrow pull can be performed seated or standing.
The dumbbell pullover is primarily going 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. Instructions for the dumbbell pullover are listed below:
This exercise is a convenient alternative to the traditional barbell row. The main target is the upper back, or scientifically, the latissimus dorsi. The "lat" muscles function to pull things. So whenever you open a door, your lat muscles are allowing the movement to take place.
The stability ball hyperextension works to strengthen the lower back. Begin by placing your stomach/chest on a stability ball. Your legs should be shoulder width apart and fully extended against a wall behind you. The wall is used to provide leverage during the back extension. Place your hands either on side of the ball or crossed in front of your chest. Next, lift your chest off the ball until the lower back is fully flexed, then slowly return to the starting position. To add difficulty to t...
The reverse barbell shrug is an excellent way to work the trapezius muscles. This exercise is sometimes referred to as "behind-the-back shrugs." The reverse shrug minimizes the momentum that can be generated with traditional shrugs to the front of the body.
The towel crunch is similar to the traditional abdominal crunch. The purpose of the towel is to stabilize the head and provide comfort. It also takes away the tendency to want to pull the chin forward into the chest, which compromises the cervical spine.
Start by lying on your side on the floor or mat with the legs extended. The elbow should be directly underneath the shoulder to support the body. As you contract your abdominals, use your torso to lift yourself off of the mat while your elbow and feet are touching the ground. Hold this for 10 to 15 seconds making sure that the spine and neck are in a neutral position. Repeat on the opposite side.
Start by lying on your side with the knees bent. The elbow should be directly underneath the shoulder to support the body. As you contract your abdominals, use your torso to lift yourself off of the mat while your elbow and knees are touching the ground. Hold this for 10-30 seconds making sure that the spine and neck are in a neutral position. Repeat on the opposite side.
The V-up is one of the more challenging ab exercises. While it may appear simple, there are several factors that make this exercise difficult to execute properly. Some of these factors include timing of the movement, counterbalancing, hip positioning, flexibility, and abdominal strength.
If you are ready to take your ab workouts to the next level, this exercise is for you! The plate crunch can be used as a progression to the traditional workout ball crunch. The range of motion is virtually the same. However, a bar plate is placed behind the head to increase difficulty.
The ball weave is great for the core. This exercise looks flashy, but in reality, your abs are in a static position the whole time. There is very little movement in the midsection. The ball weave is easy perform, but it does require some coordination.
This version of the chest press is ideal for those who may not have weights available. It is also great if you are simply looking to try something new. For this exercise, you will need two gallon-size water jugs. Fill the jugs with water as needed.
Cable crossovers are great for building and shaping the chest muscles. This exercise is performed using a cable pulley machine. First, ensure that the cable pulley is mounted above shoulder height. Adjust the weight (usually a weight stack) as needed.
Here is a simple exercise you can do for the gluteus muscles. Abduction means to move away from the center of the body. In this exercise, your leg will move laterally (outward). When the leg moves laterally, the primary muscle being worked is the gluteus.
If you want to improve balance and strength in the leg muscles, try the single leg deadlift (also called the single leg Romanian deadlift). This exercise is primarily going to work your hamstrings and butt. The single leg deadlift comes with a high degree of difficulty because it is performed on one leg. An advanced level of balance and muscular control is required for this exercise. Here are the instructions:
The crossover lunge is an advanced exercise that is used to build strength and improve flexibility in the muscles that act on the hips and thighs. The crossover step is often used as a warm-up to prepare for more dynamic exercises or sports conditioning drills.
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:
