Exercise Database

Hanging Pike

The hanging pike is a challenging and effective ab exercise that targets the rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscles) along with the hip flexors and obliques. Here’s how to perform it correctly: Start Position Hang from a pull-up bar with an overhand grip (palms facing away from you). Your arms should be fully extended and your legs hanging straight down. Engage your core and keep your body stable. Engage Your Core Tighten your core muscles, pulling your navel towards your spine. Keep your legs straight and toes pointed. Raise Your Legs While keeping your legs straight, lift them up in front of you. Aim to bring your feet up towards the bar. Your body should form an “L” shape at the top of the movement with your legs perpendicular to your torso. Peak Contraction Hold the position briefly when your legs are at the highest point, fully engaging your abdominal muscles. Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position in a controlled manner, avoiding any swinging or momentum. Ensure your core remains tight and your movement is smooth.

Smith Machine Deltoid Row

The Smith Machine Deltoid Row is an exercise targeting the deltoid muscles, particularly the rear deltoids, as well as the upper back and traps. It provides a controlled movement path due to the fixed bar path of the Smith Machine. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform it correctly: Setting Up: Adjust the Smith Machine Bar: Set the bar on the Smith Machine to a height that allows you to grip it with your arms fully extended and your torso bent at a 45-degree angle. Choose the Appropriate Weight: Load the bar with an appropriate weight that you can lift with proper form. Position Your Body: Stand facing the Smith Machine bar. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly and hinge at the hips to lower your torso to about a 45-degree angle. Your back should be straight, not rounded. Grip the Bar: Grasp the bar with an overhand grip (palms facing down), slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Engage Your Core: Tighten your core muscles to stabilize your body throughout the movement. Lift the Bar: Exhale as you pull the bar up towards your lower chest or upper abdomen. Keep your elbows flared out to the sides to emphasize the deltoids. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement. Lower the Bar: Inhale as you slowly lower the bar back to the starting position with your arms fully extended. Maintain control to avoid letting the weights drop quickly.

Kneeling Hip Flexor

Steps : 1.) Start by kneeling on a mat bringing one of your knees up so that the bottom of your foot is rested upon the floor the other leg is extended out behind you. 2.) Slowly shift your weight forward onto the bent leg until you feel a stretch in your quads. 3.) Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and then return to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps, sets and however long you desire.

Barbell Hang Clean

Steps : 1.) Start by standing in front of a barbell with your feet shoulder width apart and gripping the bar with a double overhand shoulder width grip. 2.) Bring the bar to about mid thigh position, keeping your back straight, then extend through your hips and knees forcefully driving the weight upward and shrugging your shoulders to your ears at the same time. 3.) After performing this motion, flex your elbows up and out bringing your body down and the barbell up towards your shoulders. 4.) You will have the bar positioned in a front squat position with your elbows pointing out, securing the barbell in place. 5.) Once in position lower your body to a bottom squat position to ease the tension and recovery process of the previous motion. 6.) Keep your knees bent and torso upright to help support the weight. 7.) Slowly and safely lower the weight back down to the starting position and repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Smith Machine Toe Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a Smith Machine with the amount of weight that you would like to perform for this exercise and placing either a step or block underneath the bar. 2.) Position yourself underneath the bar so that the bar is racked on the top of your back muscles. 3.) Step up on the block or step with both of your feet so that your heels are rested upon the platform. 4.) Release the bar from the rack and slowly lower your toes down towards the floor, then elevate your toes up towards the ceiling as far as possible squeezing your calf. 5.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Seated One-Arm Supported Tricep Extension

Steps : 1.) Start by laying flat with your back on a bench holding a dumbbell in one hand at arms length, above your head, and the inside of your hand facing towards your face with a supinated grip. 2.) Take your opposite hand and place it underneath your elbow for support, then slowly lower the dumbbell down towards your face. 3.) Hold this position for a count then slowly lift the dumbbell back upward squeezing your triceps. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Windshield Wipers

Steps : 1.) Start by grabbing onto a pull up bar or hanging grip and raising your body off of the floor. 2.) Lift up through your abdominals so that your back is parallel with the floor, keeping your knees bent and feet pointed forward. 3.) Once you find your balance, swing your knees to one side and feel a pull on your obliques, then return back to the center and continue to the opposite direction. 4.) Return back to the starting position and repeat this motion for as many reps as you are able to perform. 5.) Return back to the starting position and slowly lower yourself back to the ground to prevent a muscle pull. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets desired. Tips : 1.) This is an advanced oblique and abdominal exercise that requires you to strengthen your abs first so that you prevent from pulling a muscle performing this workout.

Smith Machine Bicep Curl

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a smith machine with the amount of weight you would like to perform for a bicep curl. 2.) Stand up straight in front of the machine grabbing the bar with an underhand grip. 3.) Slowly take the bar up off of the supports and lower it so that your arms are rested at your sides. 4.) Then curl the bar up towards your shoulders, isolating the bicep, and hold for a count. 5.) Return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Cable Lying Tricep Extension

The cable lying triceps extension uses cables to isolate and work the tricep muscles. Steps : 1.) Start off by placing a flat bench with the end towards a weight stack and attaching a short straight bar to the pulley and lower the pulley to the bottom of the stack. 2.) Lie face up (back flat) on the bench and grasp the bar with a narrow overhand grip. 3.) Starting with your arms extended lower the bar towards the stack by bending your elbows. 4.) Slowly extend your arms upright and return to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Quadricep Stretch

Steps : 1.) Begin by standing with your back about 2 feet away from a bench or step with one leg lifted up behind you rested upon the platform. 2.) Keep one leg out in front of you supporting your weight during this stretch and slightly bend to relieve any discomfort. 3.) Repeat for as many reps and however long you desire.

Cable One-Arm Side Bend

Steps : 1.) Start by connecting a cable to a high pulley cable machine, standing to the side of the machine and gripping the cable with one hand with an underhand grip. 2.) Slowly pull down on the cable with your obliques so that you are performing a side crunch. 3.) Once you reach the maximum contraction and farthest you can bend without bending your knees, hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Concentration Curl on Stability Ball

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on a stability ball with your feet spread apart, grasping a dumbbell in one hand and keeping in between your legs. 2.) Slowly lift the weight up towards your chest in a controlled movement, making sure that you isolate the bicep, hold for a 2 count and then lower back down to the starting position. 3.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired and then repeat with the other arm.

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.

Dumbbell Rotational Decline Sit-Up

Steps : 1.) Start by laying with your back flat on a decline bench holding two light dumbbells in your hands rested above your chest and placing your feet underneath the resting pads. 2.) Slowly pull your body up along with the weights 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.

Band Hip Lift

Steps : 1.) To begin this exercise; take a band and secure it underneath two dumbbells so that they wont move. 2.) Move your body so that your hips are right under the bands and set up for a basic sit up position with your knees up and feet firm on the floor. 3.) Keep your hands extended behind your head. 4.) Push your shoulders to the floor as you raise your hips and extend the band as high as possible. 5.) Hold onto the position for a few seconds and return to the start. 6.) Repeat this exercise for as many repetitions as needed.

Calf Raise On A Dumbbell

Steps : 1.) Hang on to a sturdy object for balance, perhaps a bar on a smith machine and stand on a dumbbell handle with a small plate loaded. 2.) Now roll your foot slightly forward so that you can get a nice stretch of the calf. This will be your starting position. 3.) Lift the calf as you roll your foot over the top of the handle so that you get a full extension. 4.) Exhale while doing this. 5.) Now inhale as you roll the dumbbell slightly forward and come back down. 6.) Repeat for the desired amount of reps.

Ankle Circles

The ankle circles exercise is the most simple workout for the calves to loosen the joints and strengthen and improve flexibility within the muscle. Steps : 1.) Start by standing on one foot near a chair or wall for support. 2.) Lift your foot off the ground and draw circles clockwise in the air with your toes. 3.) Reverse the direction (counter-clockwise) and switch feet.

Posterior Lower Leg Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start this stretch by kneeling down on one knee while the opposite foot is planted flat on the floor. 2.) Keep your spine straight and your hips/shoulders aligned. 3.) Take one of your hands and place it upon the knee of the outstretched leg and lunge forward slightly. 4.) Hold for a few seconds, switch legs and repeat.