Exercise Database

Alternating Heel Touch

The Alternating Heel Touch, also known as the "heel touchers" or "side-to-side heel touches," is an effective exercise for targeting the oblique muscles and the entire core. Here’s how to perform this exercise correctly: Starting Position: Lie flat on your back on a mat. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart. Your feet should be close enough to your body that you can comfortably reach your heels with your hands. Extend your arms down by your sides, palms facing inward. Engage your core by pulling your belly button towards your spine. Performing the Exercise Lift Your Shoulders: Lift your head and shoulders slightly off the ground. This is your starting position. Reach for Your Heel: Bend to the right, reaching your right hand towards your right heel. Focus on using your obliques to perform the movement. Exhale as you reach towards your heel. Return to Center: Return to the starting position, keeping your shoulders off the ground, maintaining tension in your core. Alternate Sides: Bend to the left, reaching your left hand towards your left heel. Again, focus on using your obliques to perform the movement. Exhale as you reach towards your heel. Continue Alternating: Continue to alternate sides in a smooth, controlled manner. Aim to reach your heels without straining your neck or lower back. Your abs and obliques should be doing the work.

Machine Single-Leg Press

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a leg press machine with the amount of weight that you would like to perform and sit down on the machine placing one leg up against the foot rest. 2.) Extend your foot to release the weight off of the racks and slowly lower the weight down until your leg is at a 45-degree angle and squeeze your glutes. 3.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Front Raise

The cable front raise is an excellent exercise for targeting the front (anterior) deltoids. It also engages the upper chest and trapezius muscles. Here’s how to perform it correctly: Attach a handle to the low pulley of a cable machine. Select an appropriate weight. Starting Position: Stand facing away from the cable machine. Grab the handle with one hand, allowing the cable to run between your legs. Your arm should be extended straight down in front of your thigh. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, keeping a slight bend in your knees. Engage your core and maintain a straight back. Executing the Front Raise: Inhale and brace your core. With a slight bend in your elbow, lift your arm straight up in front of you until it is at shoulder height or slightly above. Your palm should be facing down or slightly inward. Keep your body stationary and avoid using momentum to lift the weight. The movement should be smooth and controlled. Returning to Starting Position: Exhale and slowly lower the handle back to the starting position, controlling the weight as you go. Avoid letting the weight pull your arm down quickly; maintain control throughout the movement.

Dumbbell Tricep Kickback

Steps : 1.) Start by standing with your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent at around 25-degrees, your hands holding dumbbells with your elbows bent at 90-degrees. 2.) Bend your body forward so that the dumbbells are parallel with your legs and then slowly lift the dumbbells behind you so that you feel a stretch in your triceps. 3.) Hold this position for a count and then return back to the start. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Barbell Skull Crusher (Reverse Grip)

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up either a weighted barbell or EZ bar, holding it above your chest as you lay with your back flat on a bench, and feet out in front of you. 2.) Slowly, while keeping your elbows fixed in place, lower the weight down towards your head until it is almost touching, squeezing your triceps and holding for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Deltoid Raise

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off by standing to the side of a low pulley row and with your right hand grab the handle to the pulley. 2.) Keep your back and chest straight and your feet shoulder width apart. 3.) Take your right hand with the pulley and elevate it up so that it is at shoulder level and hold for a few seconds. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Dumbbell Tricep Extension (Supine)

The dumbbell tricep extension, when performed in a supine position, is also known as the lying tricep extension or skull crusher. Here's how you can do it: Preparation: Lie on a flat bench with your back pressed firmly against it. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inward (towards each other), and extend your arms straight up towards the ceiling. Your elbows should be slightly bent. Execution: Keeping your upper arms stationary, slowly lower the dumbbells towards your head by bending your elbows. Your elbows should point towards the ceiling throughout the movement. Lower the dumbbells until your forearms are parallel to the floor or until you feel a good stretch in your triceps. Keep your wrists firm and stable. Pause briefly at the bottom of the movement, then slowly extend your elbows to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position.

Dumbbell Wrist Curl (Palms Down)

Steps : 1.) Start by picking up a dumbbell in each hand while kneeling over a bench. 2.) With your palms facing downwards flex each forearm by lifting and lowering each dumbbell with only your wrist. 3.) Exhale while raising your wrist and hold for a count, feeling a stretch in your forearms. 4.) Inhale while lowering your wrist. 5.) Repeat for the desired amount of reps. Notes : - Make sure that your arms do not move during each rep; you are isolating the forearms for this exercise.

Smith Machine Shrug

The Smith Machine Shrug is an effective exercise for targeting the trapezius muscles, particularly the upper traps. This exercise helps to build and strengthen the muscles in the upper back and neck area. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform the exercise correctly: Setting Up: Adjust the Smith Machine Bar: Set the bar to a height that is just below your hips when you are standing upright. Choose the Appropriate Weight: Load the bar with a weight that you can lift with proper form. Position Your Body: Stand facing the Smith Machine bar. Place your feet shoulder-width apart for stability. Stand close to the bar with your hands gripping the bar slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, using an overhand grip (palms facing down). Lift the Bar: Unlock the bar from the safety catches by rotating it. Stand upright with the bar hanging at arm's length in front of you. Engage Your Core: Tighten your core muscles to stabilize your body throughout the movement. Shrug Your Shoulders: Exhale as you lift your shoulders straight up towards your ears. Keep your arms straight and focus on using your trapezius muscles to lift the weight. Hold the top position for a brief moment, squeezing your traps. Lower the Bar: Inhale as you slowly lower your shoulders back down to the starting position. Maintain control to avoid letting the weights drop quickly.

Barbell Row

Steps : 1.) Start by taking a barbell and placing it in a corner or in a place where it can be stabilized, then place a weight at the one end that you will be grabbing. 2.) Slowly bend forward so that you are as close to parallel to the ground as possible, keeping your knees bent and feet planted firmly on the floor. 3.) Grab the bar with one hand on top of the other, just underneath the plates then pull the bar straight up towards your chest, keeping your elbows in, until the weight touches your lower chest and squeeze your back. 4.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position making sure that the weights do not touch the floor. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Seated Bent-Over Reverse Fly

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on the end of a flat bench with your feet together on the floor in front of you and a dumbbell in each hand. 2.) Bend down so that your chest is rested upon your thighs and position the dumbbells underneath your legs. 3.) Slowly elevate the dumbbells up and out to around head level and squeeze your shoulders. 4.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Alternating Incline Curl

The alternate incline dumbbell curl exercise uses an incline bench to change your body's position as you perform this workout. Steps : 1.) Start off by taking either a pre-set incline bench or an adjustable bench and setting it to a 45 degree angle. 2.) Grab a dumbbell in each hand, sit back on the bench with your feet planted firmly on the floor in front of you and hand your arms down at your sides. 3.) Keeping your elbows straight, raise your right arm up towards your head, isolating the bicep and squeezing the muscle. 4.) Hold the position for a count then lower down to the starting position. 5.) Repeat the same steps with your left arm.

Leverage Shoulder Press

Steps : 1.) Start by loading the amount of weight that you would like to use on the leverage machine and adjusting the seat so that the handles are near the top of your shoulders, keeping your head and chest straight up. 2.) Slowly press the handles upward extending through the elbows until you feel a stretch on your shoulders and hold for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position but do not touch the stops until your set is complete. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Barbell Deep Squat

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off with a weighted barbell rested upon your shoulders behind your neck. 2.) Bend at your knees and start to sit back with your hips. As you go down for a standard squat keeping your back and chest straight out. 3.) Continue performing the squat until your hamstrings are near or touching your calves. Pause for a few seconds before returning the the starting position. 4.) Then using the force of your heels and lower legs, straighten out and extend your hips to get back to your starting position. 5.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed

Dumbbell Decline Bench Press

The Dumbbell Decline Bench Press is an excellent exercise for targeting the lower portion of the pectoral muscles. Here’s how to perform it correctly: Setup: Adjust the bench to a decline angle of about 15-30 degrees. Sit on the bench with your feet securely positioned under the foot pads for stability. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Starting Position: Lie back on the bench with your head lower than your hips. Position the dumbbells at chest level with your palms facing forward and elbows bent at about a 90-degree angle. Your upper arms should be parallel to the floor. Engage Your Core: Tighten your abdominal muscles to maintain stability and prevent arching your back during the exercise. Press the Dumbbells: Press the dumbbells upward in a controlled manner, straightening your arms but not locking your elbows. Ensure the dumbbells travel in a slight arc and converge slightly at the top of the movement. Pause: Briefly pause at the top of the movement, squeezing your chest muscles. Lower the Dumbbells: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position at chest level, keeping the movement controlled.

Bridge

The bridge exercise is a great exercise to help build and maintain core strength Steps : 1.) Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. 2.) Lift up your hips off the floor as you draw your abs in and keep your glutes tight. 3.) Hold the position for a count then return back to the start. 4.) Repeat for as many sets as desired.

Cable Reverse Curl

Steps : 1.) Start by grabbing onto a cable bar with a shoulder-width overhand grip. 2.) Keep your elbows down to your side and then raise the bar up towards your face, squeezing and isolating the biceps. 3.) Hold this position for a count and then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Incline Fly

The cable incline fly is an effective exercise for targeting the upper portion of the pectoral muscles. It also engages the shoulders and triceps to a lesser extent. Here's how to perform it correctly: Setup: Adjust the pulleys on the cable machine to the lowest position. Place an incline bench between the pulleys and set the incline to about 30-45 degrees. Attach handles to the cables. Select an appropriate weight for each side. Starting Position: Sit on the incline bench with your feet flat on the floor. Grab the handles with an overhand grip (palms facing each other). Lie back on the bench with your arms extended above your chest, maintaining a slight bend in your elbows. Your hands should be directly over your chest. Executing the Fly: Inhale and brace your core. Slowly lower the handles out to your sides in a wide arc, keeping the slight bend in your elbows. Lower your arms until they are level with your chest or slightly below, feeling a stretch in your upper chest muscles. Your palms should face each other throughout the movement. Returning to Starting Position: Exhale and bring the handles back together in the same wide arc, focusing on squeezing your chest muscles. Maintain the slight bend in your elbows and control the movement to keep tension on the chest muscles.