Exercise Database

Decline Reverse Crunch

The Decline Reverse Crunch is a challenging variation of the reverse crunch that targets the lower abdominal muscles more intensely due to the added resistance of the decline angle. Here’s how to perform a Decline Reverse Crunch correctly: Setup: Find a decline bench and set it at a moderate angle. Lie down on the bench with your head positioned at the higher end and your feet at the lower end. Grip the handles or the sides of the bench above your head for support. Starting Position: Bend your knees and lift your legs so that your thighs are perpendicular to the bench and your shins are parallel to the bench (90-degree angle at the hips and knees). Engage your core by pulling your belly button towards your spine. Execution: Tighten your core muscles to prepare for the movement. Using your lower abdominal muscles, lift your hips off the bench and curl your pelvis towards your chest. Your knees should move towards your face. Exhale as you lift your hips. Top Position: At the peak of the movement, your hips should be off the bench, and your lower back should be slightly lifted. Your knees should be close to your chest. Hold this position briefly, ensuring a strong contraction in the lower abs. Returning to Start: Slowly lower your hips back down to the bench in a controlled manner, resisting the urge to let gravity drop your legs. Inhale as you lower your hips back to the starting position.

Barbell Clean

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off with a weighted barbell right in front of your shins using an overhand grip. 2.) Bend down at the knees with your back straight, chest out and head facing forward and pull up on the barbell with the driving force from your heels. 3.) Extend out through your knees and hips in a jumping motion to push the bar upward. 4.) Most of the force should be driven through the initial momentum from the legs and hips with a slight pull from your arms. 5.) When you are fully extended and upright, flex your arms with your elbows and pull yourself down allowing the barbell to roll up your forearms and rest on your palms and shoulder in a full squat position. 6.) Maintain a full squat position until you have full control of the barbell. 7.) Then push yourself up with your heels into an upright position keeping your back straight and chest out. 8.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed

Kettlebell Push-Up

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; take a kettlebell and place it on the floor and get into a pushup position with one hand holding onto the kettlebell and one on the ground. 2.) Then lower yourself to the floor without touching the ground as in a normal push-up and return back to the starting position. 3.) Switch sides quickly performing the same routine. 4.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Decline Bench Ab Reach

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on a decline bench with your head at the lowest end, then place both of your hands together and point straight up towards the ceiling. 2.) Slowly, while keeping your hands together, reach straight up towards the ceiling as much as possible, lifting your back and shoulder blades up off the bench. 3.) Lower your body until you feel a stretch in your abs then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Trap Bar Overhead Press

Performing a trap bar overhead press is an effective way to build shoulder strength and stability, as well as engage the triceps and upper chest muscles. Begin by standing inside the trap bar with your feet shoulder-width apart. Position the handles of the trap bar so that they're in line with your shoulders. Grip the handles firmly with an overhand grip, palms facing forward. Engage your core muscles to stabilize your torso. Bend your knees slightly and push through your heels to lift the trap bar off the ground. Keep your back straight and chest up as you lift the trap bar to the starting position, just above your shoulders. Your elbows should be bent and pointing forward, with your upper arms parallel to the ground. Once you're in the starting position, exhale and press the trap bar directly overhead by extending your arms. Keep your core tight and maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement. As you press the trap bar overhead, avoid leaning back excessively or arching your lower back. Fully extend your arms at the top of the movement, but avoid locking out your elbows. Keep your head in a neutral position, looking straight ahead or slightly upward. Inhale and slowly lower the trap bar back down to the starting position, controlling the descent. Keep your elbows slightly bent as you lower the trap bar to maintain tension in your muscles. Lower the trap bar until your elbows are at about 90 degrees, or slightly below shoulder level. Aim to perform 8-12 repetitions per set, depending on your strength and fitness level. Start with a weight that allows you to maintain proper form and gradually increase the weight as you become stronger. Inhale as you lower the trap bar. Exhale as you press the trap bar overhead.

Upward Facing Dog

Steps : 1.) Start off by laying face down with your forehead touching the floor and keeping your feet close together. 2.) Keep your fingertips at shoulder level, raise your elbows up in the air then slide your shoulder blades down towards your hips. 3.) Then straighten out your arms, lift up your head, shoulders and chest up towards the ceiling. 4.) Hold this position for 5 to 10 breaths and return back to the starting position.

Push-Up to Side Plank

Steps : 1.) Start in a push-up position on the floor with your toes extended out and arms at shoulder level. 2.) Once in position perform a push-up and then quickly come back up, but shift your weight to one side of your body twisting to one side and bringing the arm on the twisted side up towards the ceiling. 3.) Hold this position for a count then return back to the starting position for another push-up. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Side Plank Hip Abduction

The side plank with leg lift is an advanced variation of the traditional side plank exercise that targets the obliques, shoulders, hips, and glutes while also engaging the outer thigh muscles. Begin by lying on your side on a mat or soft surface. Align your body so that your elbow is directly beneath your shoulder. Stack your feet on top of each other and lift your hips off the ground, creating a straight line from your head to your heels. Engage your core muscles to maintain stability throughout the exercise. Place your bottom hand (the one closest to the ground) flat on the mat, with your fingers spread wide for stability. Keep your elbow directly under your shoulder to support your upper body. Lift your top leg (the one not in contact with the ground) upward while keeping it straight. Lift your leg as high as you can comfortably, focusing on using the muscles on the side of your hip (abductors) to perform the movement. Keep your foot flexed and your toes pointing forward throughout the exercise. Once you reach the top position of the leg lift, hold it for a brief moment, squeezing your glutes and outer thigh muscles to maximize engagement. Focus on maintaining stability in your core and not allowing your hips to sag or rotate backward. Slowly lower your top leg back down to meet your bottom leg, returning to the starting position of the side plank. Keep the movement controlled and avoid letting your leg drop too quickly or bounce off the ground. Perform the leg lift movement for the desired number of repetitions on one side before switching to the other side.

Stability Ball Trunk Rotation

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; take a stability ball and hold it straight out in front of your chest. 2.) Then twist your upper body side to side, tightening your abdominals when reaching each side. 3.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Leg Raise with Hip Thrust

Steps : 1.) Start by laying with your back flat on a bench, head rested upon the one end and holding onto the bench below your head to stabilize your body. 2.) Keeping your feet and knees together, point your legs straight out in front of you in a plank position, then slowly pull both legs up towards the ceiling as high as possible and lift your hips up off of the bench until you feel a stretch in your abs. 3.) Then return your legs back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Smith Machine Front Squat

Steps : 1.) Set up a smith machine for the front squat exercise by placing the amount of weight that you would like to perform for this exercise. 2.) Position your shoulders underneath the bar so that the weight is rested upon your collar bone. 3.) Cross your arms and place your hands on top of the barbell as this will be your starting position. 4.) Push up with your heels and remove the bar from the rack, then slowly lower your body down towards the floor so that your thighs are parallel with the ground and hold for a count. 5.) Return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Alternating Floor Leg Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by laying with your back flat on the floor, arms at your side and feet extended out straight in front of you. 2.) Slowly lift one of your legs up off of the floor, keeping the other one still and on the floor until your elevated foot is at a 90-degree angle with the ground. 3.) Feel a stretch in your abdominals then return the leg back to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Stability Ball Weighted Sit-Up

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a bench horizontally or something to rest your feet against in front of an exercise ball and then sit down on the ball with a weight plate against your chest. 2.) Then slowly lift the weight above your head and lower yourself down until your shoulder blades start to touch the ball and you feel a stretch in your lower abs. 3.) Hold this position for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Jump Squat

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight, feet shoulder width apart and holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides with a neutral grip. 2.) Slightly bend with your knees, keeping your back straight and chest pushed out. 3.) Squat down until your thighs are parallel with the floor, then explode upward driving the balls of your feet into the floor and jumping as high as possible then returning back to the squatting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Rotational Row

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with your feet shoulder width apart and a dumbbell in each hand holding with an overhand grip. 2.) Slowly and slightly lower your back towards the ground so you feel tension in your lower back and then slowly elevate the dumbbells up towards your chest. 3.) Squeeze your back in the process while turning your wrists so that they are in an upright position, hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Decline Bench Rotational Sit-Up

Steps : 1.) Start off laying with your back flat on a decline bench with your hands above your chest and placing your feet underneath the resting pads. 2.) Slowly pull your body up and bring your right arm forward and across to your left knee until you feel a stretch in your abs. 3.) Hold this position for a count then return to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Stability Ball Pull-In

The Stability Ball Pull-In, also known as the Swiss Ball Jackknife, is a great exercise for targeting the core, particularly the lower abs, and also engages the shoulders, chest, and hip flexors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform the movement correctly: Starting Position: Begin in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor and your shins resting on top of a stability ball. Your body should form a straight line from head to heels. Ensure that your core is engaged, and your body is stable. Execution: Tighten your core muscles to maintain stability and balance. Pull Knees In: Slowly pull your knees towards your chest, rolling the stability ball forward with your feet. Aim to bring your knees as close to your chest as possible without lifting your hips too high. Exhale as you pull your knees in. Top Position: Pause briefly at the top of the movement, ensuring your core is fully engaged and your back remains straight. Your hips should be slightly elevated, and your knees close to your chest. Returning to Start: Slowly extend your legs back to the starting push-up position, rolling the stability ball back with control. Inhale as you return to the starting position.

Abdominal Hip Roll

Steps : 1.) Start by laying down on your back flat on the floor keeping your arms straight out and wide to your sides and feet extended out in front of you in a "T" position. 2.) Slowly raise your knees up until they are at thigh level and create a 90-degree angle to the floor, then begin by twist at your hips and lowering your knees towards the floor in a pendulum motion. 3.) Don't pause when you reach the bottom, instantly return back to the starting position and repeat in the opposite direction. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.