Exercise Database

Carioca

The carioca warm-up drill, also known as the grapevine drill, is a dynamic exercise that helps to improve agility, coordination, and lateral movement. Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart and your arms relaxed at your sides. Engage your core muscles to stabilize your torso. Start with a basic carioca step. Take a sideways step to your right with your right foot, crossing it behind your left foot. Then, step to the right again with your left foot, uncrossing it from behind your right foot. Your feet should now be back in the starting position, but with your left foot slightly to the right of your right foot. Continue moving sideways to the right by crossing your right foot over your left foot, followed by your left foot stepping to the right. Repeat this crossing-over motion as you move across the space. Coordinate your arm movement with your leg movement to enhance balance and coordination. As you step to the right with your right foot, swing your left arm across your body in front of you. Similarly, when stepping to the right with your left foot, swing your right arm across your body. Keep your body low to the ground throughout the drill by bending your knees slightly. This helps to engage your leg muscles and maintain stability. Once you're comfortable with the basic carioca step, gradually increase the speed of your movements. Focus on maintaining control and proper form as you pick up the pace. After completing several repetitions moving to the right, switch directions and perform the carioca drill to the left. Begin by stepping to the left with your left foot, crossing it behind your right foot, then continue with the crossing-over motion.

Peroneal Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start in a seated position and take either a belt, rope or band and loop it around one of your feet. 2.) Extend both legs out in front of you, then take the belt that is wrapped around the foot and pull so that your foot becomes inverted. 3.) You will want the inside of that foot being pulled towards you and hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds. 4.) Return back to the starting position and repeat for as many reps, sets and however long you desire.

Dumbbell Bicep Curl on Dome

The dumbbell biceps curl uses a dome as a seat forcing you to engage your core muscles through the workout to help target and isolate the biceps. Steps : 1.) Start by grabbing a dumbbell in each hand and sit on a dome, keeping your legs together and your knees bent. 2.) With you arms extended to your sides, curl and contract your biceps, bringing your forearms towards your shoulders, squeezing your bicep muscles. 3.) Slowly return to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell One-Arm Hammer Press (Stability Ball)

Steps : 1.) Start off by laying down on a stability ball with your feet flat on the floor and holding a dumbbell in one hand in a hammer grip position with arm extended straight over your chest. 2.) Then slowly lower your arm until it is at about shoulder level, keeping a 90-degree angle in your arm until you feel tension in your chest. 3.) Hold this position for a count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Downward Facing Dog Single-Leg

Steps : 1.) Start off on all fours with your hands placed shoulder width apart and fingers spread. 2.) Lift your hips up in the air, keeping your feet flat on the floor and arms straight. 3.) Press your chest towards the floor and then raise one of your legs high up in the air, still keeping the other foot on the floor and shoulders at level. 4.) Hold onto this position for 5 to 10 breaths and return the leg to starting position. 5.) Repeat this pose with your opposite leg.

Dumbbell One-Arm Hammer Curl (Prone)

Steps : 1.) Start by taking an adjustable bench and elevating it to around 30 degrees, with your legs extended behind you and toes on the floor, and your arms in front of you with a dumbbell in one hand. 2.) Hold the dumbbell in a neutral grip and let it hang towards the ground. 3.) Slowly elevate the weight up towards your shoulders, isolating your bicep, and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Warrior High Lunge

The Warrior High Lunge, also known as Warrior I Pose, is a foundational yoga pose that strengthens the legs, stretches the hip flexors, and opens the chest and shoulders. Begin standing at the top of your mat in Mountain Pose (Tadasana). Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Step your left foot back about 3 to 4 feet (depending on your comfort and flexibility), keeping your feet hip-width apart from left to right and your front foot facing forward. Your back foot should be turned out slightly at about a 45-degree angle. Square your hips towards the front of your mat, aligning your right hip with your right knee. Square your shoulders towards the front of the mat as well, keeping your chest open and facing forward. Bend your right knee, stacking it directly above your right ankle. Aim to create a 90-degree angle with your front leg, ensuring that your knee does not extend past your ankle to protect your joint. Lengthen your spine by reaching your arms overhead, bringing your palms together in prayer position or keeping them shoulder-width apart. Keep your shoulders relaxed and away from your ears. Engage your core muscles to stabilize your torso. Press firmly into the outer edge of your back foot to help activate your leg muscles and maintain balance. Keep your gaze straight ahead or lift it slightly upward, finding a focal point for balance and concentration. Hold the Warrior High Lunge for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or longer if you're comfortable, breathing deeply and evenly. Focus on grounding through your feet and maintaining strength and stability in your legs and core. To come out of the pose, lower your arms and step your left foot forward to return to Mountain Pose. Repeat the Warrior High Lunge on the opposite side, stepping your right foot back this time. If you have difficulty balancing, you can widen your stance slightly or place your hands on your hips for added stability. You can also shorten your stance or practice against a wall for support. For a deeper stretch in the hip flexors, you can deepen the bend in your front knee or bring your hands to the floor on either side of your front foot. Warrior I can also be performed with a backbend by gently arching your upper back and lifting your chest towards the sky.

Stability Ball Narrow Push-Up

Steps : 1.) Begin by rolling into a prone position on an exercise ball until your shins are on the top of the ball and your hands are on firmly on the floor in front of you right under the shoulders. 2.) Position your hands and bring them closer together so that they are just shoulder width apart. 3.) Lower your chest in a pushup position bending at the arms and go down as far as you comfortably can and then slowly raise back up. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Staff Pose

Steps : 1.) Start off by sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you with your back erect. 2.) Take your fingertips and place them on the floor besides your glutes. 3.) Straighten out your knees so the back of your knees are stretched out and keep your arms straight out. 4.) Hold this position for 5 to 10 breaths and return back to the starting position.

Stability Ball Stork Stance

Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with both arms at your side then raising up one leg with knee slightly bent and holding an exercise ball between your hands. 2.) After gaining your balance, slowly flex forward in your pelvis and extend the bent leg out behind you, keeping your body straight and parallel to the floor. 3.) While extending back with your leg, raise your arms forward with the exercise ball and extend it out in front of your body. 4.) Hold this position for a few seconds and then return back to the start. 5.) Repeat for as many reps as desired.

Stability Ball Roll Down

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on the floor with your knees bent and feet planted firmly on the floor, 2.) Hold an exercise ball in between your hands and arms raised over your head. 3.) Once in position slowly roll down onto your back with control, keeping your feet planted on the ground and knees still bent, and the ball resting on the floor above your head. 4.) Slowly, while squeezing your abs, bring the ball back up towards the ceiling and roll back up to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell One-Arm Fly (Stability Ball)

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting on an exercise ball with a dumbbell in one hand. 2.) Slowly roll down making sure that your head and shoulders are on the ball and your feet are planted firmly on the floor in front of you. 3.) Position the dumbbell straight up over your chest and then lower your arm down letting it bend slightly until the weight reaches shoulder level. 4.) Return back to the starting position and repeat with the opposite arm for as many reps and sets as desired.

Stability Ball Back Extension with Hands Behind Head

Steps : 1.) Begin by kneeling down and leaning into an exercise ball with your toes pointed on the floor and placing your hands behind your head. 2.) Extend your spine upward and push on the exercise ball with your pelvis as you move up. 3.) Return back to the starting position and repeat for as many reps and sets as possible.

Side-Lying Floor Stretch

Steps : 1.) Start by laying on your side, keeping your one knee slightly bent in front of you and the other extended out behind the bent. 2.) Extend your arms out over your head, hands on top of each other, reaching out above you. 3.) Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds and then release. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and duration as desired.

Barbell High Snatch

Steps : 1.) Start by standing in front of a barbell, feet shoulder width apart with an overhand grip position. 2.) Bring the barbell up to mid thigh position with a wide grip. 3.) Then pull up the barbell by driving up through your heels and raising the bar, quickly executing a second pull by extending through your hips and knees bringing the bar up as fast as possible. 4.) Continue to raise the bar up and overhead without re-bending your knees and hold for a count. 5.) Slowly return the bar back down to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets desired.

Cable One-Arm Incline Fly (Stability Ball)

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a handle on a low pulley cable machine and place a stability ball next to the machine. 2.) Grab onto the handle with a neutral, hammer grip, and sit down on the ball. 3.) Slowly walk your feet out in front of you so that your legs are extended out in front of you with knees bent and your back is flat on the middle of the ball. 4.) Raise the handle above your chest as this will be your starting position. 5.) Slowly lower the handle down to your side, feeling a stretch in your chest, just as in a fly and hold for a count. 6.) Return back up to the starting position and squeeze. 7.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Stability Ball Walking Lunge

Steps : 1.) Start by standing straight up, feet shoulder width apart and holding an exercise ball in front of you. 2.) Lunge forward by placing one foot in front of the other, then twisting your upper body with the exercise ball away from your bent legs. 3.) With your back foot, return back to an upright position then switch sides and lunge forward. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Alternating Row (Stability Ball)

Steps : 1.) Start by laying prone with your hips on an exercise ball with each hand gripping a dumbbell and arms at the sides of the ball. 2.) Once in position, pull one of the weights upwards, keeping the other still positioned at your side, and retract your shoulder to reach its peak until you feel a stretch. 3.) Slowly return back to the starting position, alternate with the opposite arm and repeat for as many reps and sets desired.