Exercise Database

Dumbbell Lateral Raise (Prone)

The Dumbbell Lateral Raise (Prone) is an effective exercise for targeting the deltoid muscles, particularly the rear delts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing this exercise correctly: Setup: Set an incline bench to about 30-45 degrees. If you don’t have an incline bench, you can perform this exercise while lying face down on a flat bench or on the floor. Grab a pair of dumbbells with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Starting Position: Lie face down on the bench with your chest supported and feet planted firmly on the floor for stability. Allow your arms to hang down straight from your shoulders, holding the dumbbells with a slight bend in your elbows. Execution: Engage your core and keep your neck in a neutral position (in line with your spine). Lift the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc, leading with your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Raise the dumbbells until your arms are roughly parallel to the floor. Your elbows should remain slightly bent throughout the movement. Pause briefly at the top of the movement, focusing on squeezing your rear delts. Lowering the Weights: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position in a controlled manner, maintaining the slight bend in your elbows. Avoid swinging the weights or using momentum to lift them.

Dumbbell Bent-Over Row (Palms in)

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with your feet shoulder width apart, arms at your sides with a dumbbell in each hand. 2.) Slowly bend your body towards the floor so that you are almost parallel to the ground and knees slightly bent. 3.) Bring the dumbbells out towards your sides but at level with your lower chest, extending your elbows back behind you and squeezing with your back. 4.) Hold this position for a count then return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Oblique Crunch

Steps : 1.) Start by standing with your side next to a high pulley cable machine with a grip attachment connected to the machine. 2.) Grasp the handle with one of your hands, with your feet shoulder width apart and the other arm rested at your side. 3.) Slowly pull down and rotate the body with the arm grasping the cable with your obliques until you feel a stretch in your core. 4.) Return back to the starting position and switch to the opposite side. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Cuban Press

The Dumbbell Cuban Press is an excellent exercise for targeting the shoulders, particularly the rotator cuff muscles, and enhancing shoulder stability and mobility. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing the exercise correctly: Set Up: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your arms should be down by your sides with your palms facing your body (neutral grip). Starting Position: Raise the dumbbells by performing an upright row: lift your elbows up and to the sides until the dumbbells are at shoulder height. Your elbows should be higher than your wrists, and your upper arms should be parallel to the floor. Rotate your shoulders to bring the dumbbells into a “goalpost” position, with your elbows bent at 90 degrees and your forearms parallel to the floor. Your palms should now be facing forward. Executing the Press: Press the dumbbells overhead by extending your arms. Ensure your wrists, elbows, and shoulders are in alignment throughout the movement. Fully extend your arms at the top, but do not lock your elbows. End Position: Hold the top position for a brief moment to maximize the contraction in your shoulder muscles. Return to Starting Position: Lower the dumbbells back down to the “goalpost” position by bending your elbows. Rotate your shoulders to return the dumbbells to the upright row position. Lower the dumbbells back to your sides to complete one full repetition.

Cable Shoulder Press

Steps : 1.) Start by standing in between a low pulley cable machines with two cables attached to the machine. 2.) Bend down, grab the cables and then bring them to your shoulders as this will be your starting position. 3.) Keeping your back straight, head up and chest up, extend through your elbows and push the handles up towards the ceiling over your head and feel the stretch in your shoulders. 4.) Hold for a count at the top then return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Abdominal Pendulum

Steps : 1.) Begin by laying with your back flat on the floor, your legs together extended out in front of you and your hands placed out to your sides so that you are in a "T" position. 2.) Slowly lift your legs up and over your body so that you are creating a right angle to the floor, then twisting only at your hips, lower your feet slowly to the floor to your right without losing any control. 3.) As soon as you feel a stretch in your obliques, return to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Renegade Row

The dumbbell renegade row is an exercise that primarily targets the muscles of the back, shoulders, and core. Start by placing two dumbbells on the floor about shoulder-width apart. Assume a high plank position with your hands gripping the dumbbells, wrists directly under your shoulders, and your body forming a straight line from head to heels. Your feet should be slightly wider than hip-width apart for stability. Engage your core muscles to maintain a stable plank position throughout the exercise. This will help protect your lower back and enhance the effectiveness of the rowing motion. While maintaining a stable plank, lift one dumbbell off the floor towards your rib cage, keeping your elbow close to your body. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blade towards your spine as you lift the dumbbell. This will engage the muscles of your upper back. Lower the dumbbell back to the floor in a controlled manner, and then repeat the movement on the other side. Throughout the exercise, be mindful of keeping your hips and shoulders square to the floor. Avoid excessive twisting or shifting of your torso. Keep your neck in a neutral position, avoiding any excessive upward or downward movement. Exhale as you lift the dumbbell and inhale as you lower it back down. Maintain steady breathing throughout the exercise to support core engagement and stability. As you become stronger, you can increase the weight of the dumbbells or the number of repetitions.

Kettlebell Sumo High Pull

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off by taking a kettlebell and keeping it in between your legs. 2.) Bend down as you would in a normal squat position but lower until you are in a sumo stance. 3.) Keeping your back and chest straight while bending your knees, pick up the kettlebell and extend your hips up while pulling the kettlebell upward. 4.) Raise your elbows in the process until they are at shoulder level 5.) Hold for a few seconds and return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Kettlebell Suitcase Carry

This exercise can be performed using a kettlebell or depending on what equipment you have either a dumbbell or weight plate. Stand next to the kettlebell with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hinge at your hips and bend your knees slightly to reach down and grab the kettlebell handle with one hand. Keep your back straight, chest up, and core engaged. With a firm grip on the handle, lift the kettlebell off the ground. Brace your core to stabilize your spine as you lift. Once the kettlebell is off the ground, stand up tall with your shoulders back and down. Keep the kettlebell close to your body, avoiding any leaning to the side. Keep your shoulders square and level throughout the exercise. Avoid leaning away from the kettlebell side or allowing your torso to tilt. Begin to walk slowly and steadily while holding the kettlebell in one hand. Take short, controlled steps, ensuring that your core remains engaged and your posture stays upright. Walk for a predetermined distance or time, depending on your fitness level and goals. After completing the designated distance or time, carefully lower the kettlebell back to the ground. Take a moment to rest and reset your posture. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side by picking up the kettlebell with your other hand and performing the carry in the same manner.

Bicep Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight, extending your arms behind you and grabbing your hands together behind your back. 2.) Slowly raise your arms, turn your hands so that your palms are facing outward, and feel a stretch in your bicep. 3.) Hold for 15 to 30 seconds then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and duration as desired.

Cable Wrist Curl (Reverse Grip)

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up either a straight or EZ bar on a low pulley cable machine, sit on a bench positioned in front of the machine and grab the bar using a reverse shoulder width grip. 2.) Keep your elbows tucked in at your sides and slowly raise the bar up so that you feel a stretch in your arms, squeezing your forearms and hold for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Band Reverse Fly

A Band Reverse Fly is an excellent exercise for targeting the posterior deltoids, rhomboids, and upper back muscles. It's particularly useful because it can be done almost anywhere with minimal equipment. Here's how to perform the exercise correctly: Set Up: Secure the resistance band to a stable anchor point at about chest height. This could be a door, a sturdy pole, or any fixed object. If you don’t have an anchor point, you can hold the band with your hands. Position Yourself: Stand facing the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold one end of the band in each hand. If the band isn't anchored, hold the middle of the band in each hand with some tension. Starting Position: Step back to create tension in the band when your arms are extended in front of you at shoulder height. Keep a slight bend in your knees and hinge slightly forward at the hips. Engage your core to maintain a stable position. Your arms should be extended straight in front of you, with your palms facing each other or slightly downward. Execution: With a slight bend in your elbows, pull the band apart by moving your arms out to the sides. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together. Keep your movements controlled and focus on using your upper back and shoulder muscles to move the band. Ending the Movement: Continue pulling until your arms are out to the sides and in line with your shoulders, forming a "T" shape with your body. Hold for a brief moment to maximize the contraction. Return to Starting Position: Slowly return your arms to the starting position in a controlled manner, maintaining tension in the band throughout the movement.

Dumbbell External Rotation

Steps : 1.) Start by laying on your side on a flat bench with one arm holding a dumbbell against your chest and the other arm extended in front of you holding to the bottom of the bench. 2.) Bend your elbow that is holding the dumbbell so that it is in a 90 degree angle then while keeping this position. 3.) Slowly rotate your forearm externally so that the dumbbell is lifted up from the chest position and is perpendicular to the floor. 4.) Hold onto this position for a count then return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Machine Single-Leg Press

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on a leg press machine with one leg positioned off to the side and the other rested on the platform in front of you with a wide stance. 2.) Slowly push up against the platform, fully extending your leg and squeezing your hamstrings on the motion upward. 3.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Donkey Calf Raise

This is and old school gym exercise which requires the assistance of another person. This is an advanced exercise and not recommended for beginners. The donkey calf raise exercise is an old school gym exercise that requires (at times) the assistance of another person and is an advanced exercise that targets the calf muscle. Steps : 1.) Start by bending at your waist and lean your arms against a weight rack or bench that is waist height. 2.) Have a partner sit on top of your lower back or place a weight plate on your back for resistance. 3.) Raise up on your toes leaning slightly forward until you feel a stretch in your calve muscles. 4.) Pause at the top and then lower your heels to the floor. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cat Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start by kneeling down on the floor with your feet extended behind you and your hands flat on the floor at shoulder level. 2.) Slowly pull your belly in and round out your back, letting your head drop to the floor until you feel a stretch in your back muscles. 3.) Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as long and many reps as desired.

Dumbbell Supinated One-Arm Wrist Curl

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; take one dumbbell and sit down on the edge of a flat bench and keep your feet on the floor. 2.) Take the dumbbell and bring it up so that your forearm and arm are rested on your knee; and the palm of your hand is facing up. 3.) Curl the dumbbells up, through your wrists until you feel a stretch in the muscle. 4.) Hold this position for a count and then lower the dumbbell back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired. Notes : 1.) Keep your forearms and legs still during the exercise. 2.) You want to make sure that you are isolating and targeting the forearm muscle

EZ Bar Tricep Extension (Close Grip)

The EZ bar lying close-grip triceps extension behind the head exercise helps further concentrate on targeting the tricep muscles and building bigger arms. Steps : 1.) Start by lying flat on a bench with your head at one end and feet planted on the floor on the other end. 2.) Grab an ez-bar or barbell with a grip about 8 inches apart and lower the bar behind your head. 3.) Keeping the bar parallel with the floor, bend your arms down in an arc so the bar moves in a direction under your head. 4.) Slowly return to starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.