Exercise Database

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.

Dumbbell Seated Hammer Curl

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a flat bench and then sit down on the bench, with a dumbbell in each hand and feet flat on the floor. 2.) Hold the dumbbells in a neutral grip with your palms facing inward. 3.) Slowly lift the dumbbells up towards your shoulder, isolating the bicep and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Machine Kneeling Leg Curl

Steps : 1.) Start by getting into position on a kneeling leg curl machine placing your forearms in front of you and one of your legs underneath the curling pad. 2.) This will be your starting position. 3.) Make sure that your upper body stays still and slowly curl the pad up towards your glutes, squeezing with your hamstrings on the way up. 4.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Mountain Climber

The mountain climber is a dynamic bodyweight exercise that targets the core, legs, chest, shoulders and triceps. About 60-70 percent of the muscle activation comes from core stabilization while 30-40 percent comes from the legs, primarily the hip flexors and quads. It's often used in cardio workouts or as part of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routine. Start in a High Plank Position Place your hands directly under your shoulders, arms fully extended. Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels. Engage your core and avoid letting your hips sag or rise too high. Position Your Feet Keep your toes on the floor, legs extended straight behind you, similar to the starting position of a push-up. Drive One Knee Toward Your Chest Lift your right foot off the floor and drive your right knee toward your chest. Keep your core tight and avoid letting your back arch. As you bring your right leg back to the starting position, quickly drive your left knee toward your chest. Alternate legs as if you're "climbing," keeping a steady pace. The movement should be quick and controlled, but always maintain good form. Avoid rounding your shoulders or sagging your hips.

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

Cable Bicep Curl (Close Grip)

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight in front of a low pulley cable machine with a straight bar attached to the machine, with your arms rested at your sides and feet flat on the floor. 2.) Grab the bar in a close underhand grip then slowly, then raise it up towards your shoulders, isolating the bicep and hold 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 Stiff-Leg Deadlift

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with your feet shoulder width apart and your arms at your sides with a dumbbell in each hand. 2.) While keeping your knees still, slowly lower your upper body and the dumbbells towards the floor over your feet. 3.) Keep moving your body forward until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings then hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position by extending through your hips until you are at the start. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Crunch

Steps : 1.) Start by attaching a rope to a high cable pulley system and then turn your back to machine and pull the rope over your head. 2.) Position the rope next to your head and slowly crunch forward bringing your head down towards your thighs until you feel a stretch in your abs then hold for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Single-Leg Cobra

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with a dumbbell in each hand at your sides. 2.) Slowly raise one foot off of the floor so that it is about a few inches off of the floor, then lean forward keeping your arms straight and your shoulders flexed above your head. 3.) As you continue to lean forward, rotate your hands behind you slowly in an arc movement until you feet tension on your shoulders. 4.) Return back to the starting position, switch legs and repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Hip Abduction

The hip adduction exercise helps strengthen the hip flexor and thigh muscles. Steps : 1.) Start by standing alongside a cable pulley stack and attach a cuff to the pulley near your ankle. 2.) Step away from the stack holding onto the stack for support. 3.) While standing firm on the foot not attached to the cable, slowly abduct (pull away) your cuffed ankle in front of your stabilizing leg and back. 4.) Repeat and switch ankles.

EZ Bar Preacher Curl (Close Grip)

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up either weighted EZ bar with the weight that you would like to use to perform this exercise. 2.) Then sit down on the bench with your feet flat on the floor and arms extended out grabbing onto the bar with a close underhand grip. 3.) Slowly curl the bar up towards your shoulders, isolating and squeezing your shoulders, and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bird Dog

Steps : 1.) Start by kneeling on all fours with your knees underneath your hips and your wrists under your shoulders. 2.) When in position, extend your right arm away from your body keeping in line with your shoulder and head while you extend your left leg away from your body at the same time. 3.) Hold onto this position for a few seconds then return back to the starting position and repeat but with your left arm and right leg. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Farmers Carry

The Farmers Carry is an exercise that works the entire body. Stand with the weights (in this example, we’re going with dumbbells) at your side. Hinge at your hips to bend over and grab each dumbbell. Lift with your legs to stand up with the weights. Walk with the weights in hand. Maintain a steady, upright position and posture. Do not allow the weight to move laterally or favor one side over the other. Use short, fast strides to increase your performance. Keep your traps relaxed and your eyes forward (not down at your feet).