Exercise Database

Band Cross-Over

The exercise band cross-over, often referred to as the resistance band crossover, is a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform it: Setup: Attach the resistance bands to a sturdy anchor point at chest height. Ensure the bands are securely fastened to prevent any accidents. Starting Position: Stand facing away from the anchor point with a handle in each hand. Step forward to create tension in the bands. Your arms should be outstretched to the sides with a slight bend in your elbows. This is your starting position. Body Position: Position your feet shoulder-width apart. You can place one foot slightly forward for better balance. Engage your core muscles to keep your body stable and maintain a straight posture. The Movement: Exhale as you bring the handles together in front of you in a hugging motion, keeping a slight bend in your elbows. Your hands should meet in front of your chest, with palms facing each other or slightly downward. Hold the position for a brief moment, squeezing your chest muscles. Return to Start: Inhale as you slowly return your arms to the starting position, maintaining control and tension in the bands throughout the movement.

Dumbbell Seated Alternating Hammer Curl

Steps : 1.) Start off setting up an 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 an neutral grip with your palms facing inward, then slowly lift one dumbbell up towards your shoulder, isolating the bicep and hold for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position and repeat with the opposite arm. 4.) 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.

Chest and Shoulder Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start off standing up straight with your feet shoulder width apart, holding either a broom or a bodybar in between your hands. 2.) With a wide grip on the pole, hold it in front of you with your palms face down and then lift it up slowly behind your head. 3.) Arch your shoulders back and continue to extend your arms until you feel a stretch on your chest then hold for 15 to 30 seconds. 4.) Return back to the starting position and repeat for as many reps and duration 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.

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

Cable Decline Chest Fly

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up handles on two low pulley cable machines and placing a decline bench in between both machines. 2.) Grab onto both handles with an overhand grip and lay down on the decline bench, keeping your back flat on the bench and feet underneath the foot rests. 3.) Raise the handles above your head as this will be your starting position. 4.) Slowly lower and extend your arms out to your sides, feeling a stretch in your chest and hold for a count. 5.) Return back to the starting position and squeeze your chest. 6.) 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.

Weight Plate Neck Flexion (Supine)

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off by lying face up with your back on a flat bench holding a weight plate in front of your head. 2.) With the plate rested on the front your head, slowly lower your neck down squeezing your shoulders and keeping the plate pressed lightly to the head. 3.) Then return back up to the starting position. 4.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed

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.

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.

Dumbbell One-Arm Preacher Hammer Curl

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a preacher bench and then position yourself behind the bench, with a dumbbell in one hand rested over the bench and feet flat on the floor. 2.) Hold the dumbbell in a neutral grip with your palms facing inward, then slowly lift the dumbbell up towards your shoulder, 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.

Machine Inverted Row (Feet Elevated)

The body row exercise is a great overall exercise for the chest, back and core muscles and you should use either a smith machine or stable weight rack to perform this exercise. Steps : 1.) Start by lying under a bar so that it is aligned at mid chest level with your feet positioned across a bench. 2.) While keeping your abs drawn tightly in and your back flat, use your arms and row your body up towards the bar until you start to feel a stretch in your chest. 3.) Hold this position for a count then slowly return back to the start in a controlled motion. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired. Tips : 1.) Make sure that the rack or the smith machine is stable before you perform the exercise.

Dumbbell One-Arm Bench Press

The dumbbell one arm bench press is a very advanced exercise that is mostly used by body builders and power lifters to build stronger pectoral muscles. Steps : 1.) Start off lying with your back flat on the bench with your feet placed firmly on the floor in front of you. 2.) Grab a dumbbell in one hand and bring it up to the side of your chest as this will be your starting position. 3.) Once in position, extend your arm straight out in front of you, pressing the dumbbell up until your arm is straight, elbow is locked and you feel a stretch in the chest muscle. 4.) Hold this position for a count and then in a controlled motion, lower the weight back down to the starting position. 5.) Switch arms and repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Incline Bench Press (Palms in)

Steps : 1.) Start by laying with your back flat on a incline bench with your feet rested on the floor and holding a dumbbell in each hand. 2.) Keep the dumbbells rested at your chest as you get yourself into position, holding onto them with a neutral grip. 3.) Extend your hands above your chest and squeeze so that you feel a stretch in your pecs, then hold for a count. 4.) Then slowly return the dumbbells at the sides of your chest. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Glute Bridge March

The bridge with alternating step-in-place is a variation of the traditional bridge exercise that incorporates additional lower body movement to engage the glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles. Lie on your back on a mat or comfortable surface with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Keep your arms by your sides with your palms facing down for stability. Engage your core muscles and press your lower back into the ground. Lift your hips upward by pushing through your heels until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the bridge to maximize muscle activation. While maintaining the bridge position, lift one foot off the ground. Slowly bring your knee towards your chest as if you are marching in place. Lower your foot back down to the ground and repeat the movement with the opposite leg. Continue alternating between legs, lifting and lowering each foot in a controlled manner. Hold the bridge position throughout the exercise, maintaining tension in your glutes and core to stabilize your body. Perform the alternating step-in-place movement for the desired number of repetitions or time duration. Aim for smooth and controlled movements, focusing on maintaining proper form throughout the exercise. Inhale as you lower your hips back down towards the ground. Exhale as you lift your hips up into the bridge position and perform the alternating step-in-place movement.

Barbell Pullover

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; start off by lying on your back on a flat bench holding a weighted barbell above your chest with your arms slightly bent. 2.) Keeping your arms bent, slowly lower your arms behind your head until you feel a stretch on your chest then hold onto that position for a few seconds. 3.) Then return the barbell back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Front to Back Leg Swings

Performing front-to-back leg swings is an excellent dynamic warm-up exercise that helps to increase flexibility, mobility, and blood flow to the lower body. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your arms relaxed by your sides. Engage your core muscles by gently pulling your belly button towards your spine to stabilize your torso. If needed, you can use a wall or a sturdy object for support to maintain your balance during the exercise. Begin by swinging one leg forward in a controlled motion. Keep your knee straight but not locked. Swing your leg as high as comfortable, aiming for a gentle stretch in the hamstrings. After swinging your leg forward, smoothly swing it backward in the opposite direction. Again, keep your knee straight but not locked, and aim for a gentle stretch in the quadriceps by bending the knee, trying to kick your buttock with your heel. Focus on maintaining control throughout the movement. Avoid swinging your leg too forcefully or using momentum to lift it. The motion should be controlled and deliberate. After completing the desired number of repetitions on one leg, switch to the other leg and repeat the exercise. While swinging your legs, keep your upper body stable and avoid leaning excessively forward or backward. Your torso should remain upright throughout the exercise. Coordinate your breathing with the movement. Inhale as you swing your leg forward, and exhale as you swing it backward. Gradually Increase Range of Motion: As you warm up, gradually increase the range of motion of your leg swings. Try to swing your leg higher with each repetition, but only go as far as you can comfortably without straining.