Lie on your back with knees bent, curl your shoulder blades a few inches off the floor by contracting your abs, then lower under control without pulling on your neck.
Stack your feet and prop your body on one forearm, lifting your hips until your body forms a rigid diagonal line, and hold.
Alternately drive each elbow toward the opposite knee while extending the other leg, rotating through the torso rather than yanking the neck.
With knees bent at ninety degrees, curl your hips off the floor toward your ribcage using your lower abs, then lower without swinging.
From a high plank, drive your knees toward your chest in rapid alternation while keeping your hips low and your core braced.
Hang from a bar and curl your knees up toward your chest, tilting your pelvis at the top and lowering without swinging.
From your knees, roll the wheel forward as far as you can keep your spine neutral, then pull it back with your abs and lats.
Drape your lower back over the ball and crunch upward through a longer-than-floor range, keeping your hips steady on the surface.
From a plank with your shins on the ball, pull your hips toward the ceiling until your body forms an inverted V, then roll back out.
Sit with the pads inside your knees and squeeze your legs together against the resistance, resisting the stretch on the way back out.
With a wide stance and toes turned out, hold one dumbbell at arm's length and squat until your thighs reach parallel, driving your knees out as you stand.
With a neutral thumbs-up grip, curl the dumbbells straight up, hitting the brachialis and forearms along with the biceps.
Curl the dumbbell in a neutral grip across your torso toward the opposite shoulder, keeping the upper arm still.
Lie back on an incline bench so your arms hang behind your torso, then curl from a deep stretch without letting your elbows drift forward.
Drag the bar straight up the front of your body by pulling your elbows back, finishing lower than a normal curl but with deeper biceps contraction.
Curl a rope attachment in a neutral grip, pulling the ends slightly apart at the top of each rep.
With the pads over your knees, raise your heels through a full range to target the soleus, pausing at the top and bottom.
With a bar across your upper back, rise onto your toes and lower slowly, keeping your knees straight but not locked.
Holding dumbbells at your sides, perform full-range heel raises off a step or the floor.
With only the balls of your feet on the sled, press through your toes to move the platform, keeping your legs extended throughout.
Skip in a steady rhythm on the balls of your feet, keeping the jumps low and letting your ankles do the springing.
On a thirty-to-forty-five degree bench, lower the bar to your upper chest and press it up and slightly back to shift the work to the clavicular fibers.
Press the dumbbells from chest level to lockout over your shoulders, letting them travel slightly together at the top.
On an incline bench, press the dumbbells from a deep upper-chest stretch to lockout without banging them together.
With a slight fixed bend in your elbows, open the dumbbells out in a wide arc to a chest stretch, then hug them back together over your sternum.
Perform the same wide hugging arc on an incline bench to stretch and squeeze the upper chest.
From high pulleys, sweep the handles down and together in front of your hips, crossing slightly at the finish for a hard squeeze.
In a rigid plank, lower your chest to just above the floor and press back up without letting your hips sag or pike.
Explosively push the ball from your chest to a wall or partner, catching the return and firing again with minimal pause.
Curl a dumbbell through wrist flexion with your forearm braced on a bench, one arm at a time for a full range.
Hold a bar behind your thighs with palms facing back and curl it upward using only wrist flexion.
Bridge on one leg with the other held to your chest or extended, keeping your hips level as you lock out.
From all fours, drive one bent knee up behind you until your thigh is in line with your torso, sole facing the ceiling.
Lying with the soles of your feet together and knees flared, pump your hips up in short powerful bridges.
Step backward into a lunge until your rear knee nearly touches the floor, then push through the front leg to return.
Hinge at the hips with dumbbells tracing the front of your legs, feeling the hamstrings load before standing back up.
Face down with the pad at your ankles, curl your heels toward your glutes and lower through the full range without lifting your hips.
Seated with the pad behind your ankles, curl your heels under the seat and control the long return to a stretch.
From a dead hang with an overhand grip, pull your chin over the bar by driving your elbows down, then lower to full extension.
Pull the wide bar to your upper chest while leaning back slightly, then let it rise to a full overhead stretch.
Pull the bar down with an underhand shoulder-width grip, driving your elbows to your sides for a low-lat squeeze.
With the bar over mid-foot, brace hard, and stand up by pushing the floor away, keeping the bar in contact with your legs the whole way.
Hinge over the pad of a hyperextension bench until your torso hangs down, then raise it to a straight line with your legs, no higher.
Face down, lift your arms and legs off the floor simultaneously and hold the extended position briefly each rep.
Hinged to roughly forty-five degrees, row the bar to your lower ribs by driving your elbows behind you, then lower with a rigid torso.
Lying chest-down on an incline bench, row the dumbbells to your sides with zero body English.
Hanging under a fixed bar with a rigid body, pull your chest to the bar and lower to straight arms.
From a fixed staggered stance, lower your back knee toward the floor and press back up without stepping.
Lower the sled until your knees approach your chest without your lower back curling off the pad, then press to just short of lockout.
Squat to parallel and explode into a vertical jump, landing softly and sinking straight into the next rep.
Swing your arms and jump onto a sturdy box, landing quietly in a quarter squat, then step down and reset.
With one or two bells racked at your shoulders, squat deep while keeping your elbows down and trunk braced.
Stand on a band and raise the handles to shoulder height against the climbing tension.
Hinged near parallel, sweep the dumbbells out to your sides with a fixed elbow bend, squeezing the rear delts at the top.
With cables crossed in front of you at face height, pull the handles apart and back until your arms form a T.
Hold a band at shoulder height with straight arms and pull it apart until it touches your chest, then return slowly.
Pull the bar up your body to chest height with elbows leading, stopping short of any shoulder pinching.
Explosively throw the ball overhead to a wall or partner, using your whole body to generate the launch.
Holding the bar at arm's length, lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears, pause, and lower without rolling them.
With dumbbells at your sides, shrug straight up and squeeze at the top, letting the weights stretch the traps at the bottom.
Swing the bell and pull it to chest height with your elbow high and outside, then guide it back into the next swing.
Seated with the bar overhead, lower it behind your head to a deep triceps stretch and press back to lockout.
Lower the bar toward your chin-neck area with elbows forward, blending a press and an extension, then punch back to lockout.
Lying on a bench with dumbbells over your chest, drop the inner heads toward your sternum with elbows flared, then extend back up.
Anchor a band overhead and press it down to lockout with pinned elbows, fighting the recoil upward.
Wedge your chest and hands under the tire in a deep squat, drive it up with your legs and hips, then punch it forward onto its face.
Face down with the roller under your thighs, roll slowly from hip to knee, pausing on tender spots and breathing until they release.
Seated with the roller under the backs of your thighs, roll from glutes to knees, stacking one leg for extra pressure if needed.
Lying on your side with the roller under your armpit area, roll slowly along the outer edge of your back with your arm extended overhead.
With the roller across your mid-back and hands supporting your head, roll between your shoulder blades, extending gently over the roller.
Lying on your back with your hip and knee both at ninety degrees, hold behind your thigh and slowly straighten the knee until you feel a stretch, then hold.
Reach one hand down your spine with the elbow pointing up, and use the other hand to gently press the elbow back until the triceps stretches.
Lie down on the floor and secure your feet. Your legs should be bent at the knees. Place your hands behind or to the side of your head. You will begin with your back on the ground. This will be your starting position. Flex your hips and spine to raise your torso toward your knees. At the top of the contraction your torso should be perpendicular to the ground. Reverse the motion, going only ¾ of the way down. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie face down with one leg on a foam roll. Rotate the leg so that the foam roll contacts against your inner thigh. Shift as much weight onto the foam roll as can be tolerated. While trying to relax the muscles if the inner thigh, roll over the foam between your hip and knee, holding points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.
Start off on your hands and knees, then lift your leg off the floor and hold the foot with your hand. Use your hand to hold the foot or ankle, keeping the knee fully flexed, stretching the quadriceps and hip flexors. Focus on extending your hips, thrusting them towards the floor. Hold for 10-20 seconds and then switch sides.
Lie on the floor with the knees bent and the feet on the floor around 18-24 inches apart. Your arms should be extended by your side. This will be your starting position. Crunch over your torso forward and up about 3-4 inches to the right side and touch your right heel as you hold the contraction for a second. Exhale while performing this movement. Now go back slowly to the starting position as you inhale. Now crunch over your torso forward and up around 3-4 inches to the left side and touch your left heel as you hold the contraction for a second. Exhale while performing this movement and then go back to the starting position as you inhale. Now that both heels have been touched, that is considered 1 repetition. Continue alternating sides in this manner until all prescribed repetitions are done.
Place two kettlebells between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead. Clean one kettlebell to your shoulder and hold on to the other kettlebell in a hanging position. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrist as you do so. Lower the cleaned kettlebell to a hanging position and clean the alternate kettlebell. Repeat.
Place two kettlebells on the floor about shoulder width apart. Position yourself on your toes and your hands as though you were doing a pushup, with the body straight and extended. Use the handles of the kettlebells to support your upper body. You may need to position your feet wide for support. Push one kettlebell into the floor and row the other kettlebell, retracting the shoulder blade of the working side as you flex the elbow, pulling it to your side. Then lower the kettlebell to the floor and begin the kettlebell in the opposite hand. Repeat for several reps.
Use a sturdy object like a squat rack to hold yourself. Lift the right leg in the air (just around 2 inches from the floor) and perform a circular motion with the big toe. Pretend that you are drawing a big circle with it. Tip: One circle equals 1 repetition. Breathe normally as you perform the movement. When you are done with the right foot, then repeat with the left leg.
Stand up and extend your arms straight out by the sides. The arms should be parallel to the floor and perpendicular (90-degree angle) to your torso. This will be your starting position. Slowly start to make circles of about 1 foot in diameter with each outstretched arm. Breathe normally as you perform the movement. Continue the circular motion of the outstretched arms for about ten seconds. Then reverse the movement, going the opposite direction.
Sit on an exercise bench with back support and hold two dumbbells in front of you at about upper chest level with your palms facing your body and your elbows bent. Tip: Your arms should be next to your torso. The starting position should look like the contracted portion of a dumbbell curl. Now to perform the movement, raise the dumbbells as you rotate the palms of your hands until they are facing forward. Continue lifting the dumbbells until your arms are extended above you in straight arm position. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. After a second pause at the top, begin to lower the dumbbells to the original position by rotating the palms of your hands towards you. Tip: The left arm will be rotated in a counter clockwise manner while the right one will be rotated clockwise. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lay down on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with the palms of the hands facing towards the ceiling. Tip: Your arms should be parallel to the floor and next to your thighs. To avoid injury, make sure that you keep your elbows slightly bent. This will be your starting position. Now move the dumbbells by creating a semi-circle as you displace them from the initial position to over the head. All of the movement should happen with the arms parallel to the floor at all times. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Reverse the movement to return the weight to the starting position as you exhale.
Run a band around a stationary post like that of a squat rack. Grab the band by the handles and stand back so that the tension in the band rises. Extend and lift the arms straight in front of you. Tip: Your arms should be straight and parallel to the floor while perpendicular to your torso. Your feet should be firmly planted on the floor spread at shoulder width. This will be your starting position. As you exhale, move your arms to the sides and back. Keep your arms extended and parallel to the floor. Continue the movement until the arms are extended to your sides. After a pause, go back to the original position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Using a 41 inch band, stand on one end, spreading your feet a small amount. Bend at the hips to loop the end of the band behind your neck. This will be your starting position. Keeping your legs straight, extend through the hips to come to a near vertical position. Ensure that you do not round your back as you go down back to the starting position.
Lie against an incline bench, with your arms holding a barbell and hanging down in a horizontal line. This will be your starting position. While keeping the upper arms stationary, curl the weight up as high as you can while squeezing the biceps. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Do not swing the arms. After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you go all of the way down. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight while holding a barbell behind you at arms length and your feet at shoulder width. Tip: A shoulder width grip is best with the palms of your hands facing back. You can use wrist wraps for this exercise for a better grip. This will be your starting position. While keeping your head and eyes up and back straight, squat until your upper thighs are parallel to the floor. Breathe in as you slowly go down. Pressing mainly with the heel of the foot and squeezing the thighs, go back up as you breathe out. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight while holding a barbell using a wide (higher than shoulder width) and overhand (palms facing your body) grip. Bend knees slightly and bend over as you keep the natural arch of your back. Let the arms hang in front of you as they hold the bar. Once your torso is parallel to the floor, flare the elbows out and away from your body. Tip: Your torso and your arms should resemble the letter "T". Now you are ready to begin the exercise. While keeping the upper arms perpendicular to the torso, pull the barbell up towards your upper chest as you squeeze the rear delts and you breathe out. Tip: When performed correctly, this exercise should resemble a bench press in reverse. Also, refrain from using your biceps to do the work. Focus on targeting the rear delts; the arms should only act as hooks. Slowly go back to the initial position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit on a bench with back support in a squat rack. Position a barbell at a height that is just above your head. Grab the barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing forward). Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip width, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms. Hold at about shoulder level and slightly in front of your head. This is your starting position. Lower the bar down to the shoulders slowly as you inhale. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight with your feet at shoulder width as you hold a barbell with both hands behind your back using a pronated grip (palms facing back). Tip: Your hands should be a little wider than shoulder width apart. You can use wrist wraps for this exercise for better grip. This will be your starting position. Raise your shoulders up as far as you can go as you breathe out and hold the contraction for a second. Tip: Refrain from trying to lift the barbell by using your biceps. The arms should remain stretched out at all times. Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight while holding a barbell placed on the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck). Your feet should be placed wide apart with the foot of the lead leg angled out to the side. This will be your starting position. Lower your body towards the side of your angled foot by bending the knee and hip of your lead leg and while keeping the opposite leg only slightly bent. Breathe in as you lower your body. Return to the starting position by extending the hip and knee of the lead leg. Breathe out as you perform this movement. After performing the recommended amount of reps, repeat the movement with the opposite leg.
Begin standing with your feet shoulder width apart and a barbell across your upper back. Step forward with one leg, flexing the knees to drop your hips. Descend until your rear knee nearly touches the ground. Your posture should remain upright, and your front knee should stay above the front foot. Drive through the heel of your lead foot and extend both knees to raise yourself back up. Step forward with your rear foot, repeating the lunge on the opposite leg.
Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you. Place your hands behind your hand, and push your elbows back as far as you can. Your partner should hold your elbows. This will be your starting position. Gently attempt to pull your elbows forward with your hands still behind your head for 10 or more seconds. Your partner should prevent your elbows from moving. Now, relax your muscles and have your partner gently pull the elbows back as far as it comfortable for you. Be sure to let your partner know when the stretch is adequate to prevent overstretching or injury.
Select a weight and hold the handle of the low pulley with your right hand. Bend at the waist until your torso is nearly parallel to the floor. Your legs should be slightly bent with your left hand placed on your lower left thigh. Your right arm should be hanging from your shoulder in front of you and with a slight bend at the elbow. This will be your starting position. Raise your right arm, elbow slightly bent, to the side until the arm is parallel to the floor and in line with your right ear. Breathe out as you perform this step. Slowly lower the weight back to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and repeat the movement with the other arm.
With a dumbbell in each hand (palms facing your torso), bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward by bending at the waist; as you bend make sure to keep your back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up. The weights should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position. While keeping the torso stationary, lift the dumbbells to your side (as you breathe out), keeping the elbows close to the body (do not exert any force with the forearm other than holding the weights). On the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a second. Slowly lower the weight again to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lay flat on the floor with your arms next to your sides. Now bend your knees at around a 75 degree angle and lift your feet off the floor by around 2 inches. Using your lower abs, bring your knees in towards you as you maintain the 75 degree angle bend in your legs. Continue this movement until you raise your hips off of the floor by rolling your pelvis backward. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: At the end of the movement your knees will be over your chest. Squeeze your abs at the top of the movement for a second and then return to the starting position slowly as you breathe in. Tip: Maintain a controlled motion at all times. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Assume a plank position on the ground. You should be supporting your bodyweight on your toes and forearms, keeping your torso straight. Your forearms should be shoulder-width apart. This will be your starting position. Pressing your palms firmly into the ground, extend through the elbows to raise your body from the ground. Keep your torso rigid as you perform the movement. Slowly lower your forearms back to the ground by allowing the elbows to flex. Repeat.
Begin standing with your feet shoulder width apart and your hands on your hips. Step forward with one leg, flexing the knees to drop your hips. Descend until your rear knee nearly touches the ground. Your posture should remain upright, and your front knee should stay above the front foot. Drive through the heel of your lead foot and extend both knees to raise yourself back up. Step forward with your rear foot, repeating the lunge on the opposite leg.
Lie on your side, with your upper arm against the foam roller. The upper arm should be more or less aligned with your body, with the outside of the bicep pressed against the foam roller. Raise your hips off of the floor, supporting your weight on your arm and on your feet. Hold for 10-30 seconds, and then switch sides.
Sit on a Military Press Bench with a bar at shoulder level with a pronated grip (palms facing forward). Tip: Your grip should be wider than shoulder width and it should create a 90-degree angle between the forearm and the upper arm as the barbell goes down. This is your starting position. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms. Now lower the bar down to the back of the head slowly as you inhale. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale. Lower the bar down to the starting position slowly as you inhale. This is one repetition. Alternate in this manner until you complete the recommended amount of repetitions.
Begin a pushup position but with your elbows on the ground and resting on your forearms. Your arms should be bent at a 90 degree angle. Arch your back slightly out rather than keeping your back completely straight. Raise your glutes toward the ceiling, squeezing your abs tightly to close the distance between your ribcage and hips. The end result will be that you'll end up in a high bridge position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Lower back down slowly to your starting position as you breathe in. Tip: Don't let your back sag downwards. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit on the machine with your back flat on the pad. Take hold of the handles. Tip: Your upper arms should be positioned parallel to the floor; adjust the machine accordingly. This will be your starting position. Push the handles together slowly as you squeeze your chest in the middle. Breathe out during this part of the motion and hold the contraction for a second. Return back to the starting position slowly as you inhale until your chest muscles are fully stretched. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie on incline an bench facing away from a high pulley machine that has a straight bar attachment on it. Grasp the straight bar attachment overhead with a pronated (overhand; palms down) shoulder width grip and extend your arms in front of you. The bar should be around 2 inches away from your upper thighs. This will be your starting position. Keeping the upper arms stationary, lift your arms back in a semi circle until the bar is straight over your head. Breathe in during this portion of the movement. Slowly go back to the starting position using your lats and hold the contraction once you reach the starting position. Breathe out during the execution of this movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit in the same position on a low pulley row station as you would if you were doing seated cable rows for the back. Attach a rope to the pulley and grasp it with an overhand grip. Your arms should be extended and parallel to the floor with the elbows flared out. Keep your lower back upright and slide your hips back so that your knees are slightly bent. This will be your starting position. Pull the cable attachment towards your upper chest, just below the neck, as you keep your elbows up and out to the sides. Continue this motion as you exhale until the elbows travel slightly behind the back. Tip: Keep your upper arms horizontal, perpendicular to the torso and parallel to the floor throughout the motion. Go back to the initial position where the arms are extended and the shoulders are stretched forward. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Grab an exercise band and stand on it with your toes making sure that the length of the band between the foot and the arms is the same for both sides. While holding the handles of the band, raise the arms to the side of your head as if you were getting ready to perform a shoulder press. The palms should be facing forward with the elbows bent and to the sides. This movement will create tension on the band. This will be your starting position. Keeping the hands by your shoulder, stand up on your toes as you exhale and contract the calves hard at the top of the movement. After a one second contraction, slowly go back down to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Begin seated on the floor. Place a foam roller underneath your lower leg. Your other leg can either be crossed over the opposite or be placed on the floor, supporting some of your weight. This will be your starting position. Place your hands to your side or just behind you, and press down to raise your hips off of the floor, placing much of your weight against your calf muscle. Roll from below the knee to above the ankle, pausing at points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat for the other leg.
Position yourself on the floor on your hands and knees. Pull your belly in and round your spine, lower back, shoulders, and neck, letting your head drop. Hold for 15 seconds.
Get on your hands and knees, walk your hands in front of you. Lower your buttocks down to sit on your heels. Let your arms drag along the floor as you sit back to stretch your entire spine. Once you settle onto your heels, bring your hands next to your feet and relax. "breathe" into your back. Rest your forehead on the floor. Avoid this position if you have knee problems.
Get into a seated position on the floor. Place both hands at the rear of your head, fingers interlocked, thumbs pointing down and elbows pointing straight ahead. Slowly pull your head down to your chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Move into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your hands and toes. Your arms should be fully extended with the hands around shoulder width. Keep your body straight throughout the movement. This will be your starting position. Descend by flexing at the elbow, lowering your chest toward the ground. At the bottom, reverse the motion by pushing yourself up through elbow extension as quickly as possible until you are air borne. Aim to "jump" 12-18 inches to one side. As you accelerate up, move your outside foot away from your direction of travel. Leaving the ground, shift your body about 30 degrees for the next repetition. Return to the starting position and repeat the exercise, working all the way around until you are back where you started.
Place a dumbbell standing up on a flat bench. Ensuring that the dumbbell stays securely placed at the top of the bench, lie perpendicular to the bench with only your shoulders lying on the surface. Hips should be below the bench and your legs bent with your feet firmly on the floor. Grasp the dumbbell with both hands and hold it straight over your chest at arm's length. Both palms should be pressing against the underside of the sides of the dumbbell. This will be your starting position. Initiate the movement by lowering the dumbbell to your chest. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows.
Begin by lying on your back on the ground. Your legs should be straight and your arms extended behind your head. This will be your starting position. To perform the movement, tuck the knees toward your chest, rotating your pelvis to lift your glutes from the floor. As you do so, flex the spine, bringing your arms back over your head to perform a simultaneous crunch motion. After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Lie flat on your back and bend your knees about 60 degrees. Keep your feet flat on the floor and place your hands loosely behind your head. This will be your starting position. Now curl up and bring your right elbow and shoulder across your body while bring your left knee in toward your left shoulder at the same time. Reach with your elbow and try to touch your knee. Exhale as you perform this movement. Tip: Try to bring your shoulder up towards your knee rather than just your elbow and remember that the key is to contract the abs as you perform the movement; not just to move the elbow. Now go back down to the starting position as you inhale and repeat with the left elbow and the right knee. Continue alternating in this manner until all prescribed repetitions are done.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position. Perform a rear lunge by stepping back with one foot and flexing the hips and front knee. As you do so, rotate your torso across the front leg. After a brief pause, return to the starting position and repeat on the other side, continuing in an alternating fashion.
Take a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated grip in a standing position. Raise your upper arms so that they are parallel to the floor, allowing your lower arms to hang in the "scarecrow" position. This will be your starting position. To initiate the movement, externally rotate the shoulders to move the upper arm 180 degrees. Keep the upper arms in place, rotating the upper arms until the wrists are directly above the elbows, the forearms perpendicular to the floor. Now press the dumbbells by extending at the elbows, straightening your arms overhead. Return to the starting position as you breathe in by reversing the steps. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit up on the floor. Cross your right leg over your left, keeping the knee bent. Your left leg is straight and down on the floor. Place your left arm on your right leg and your right hand on the floor. Rotate your upper body to the right, and hold for 10-20 seconds. Switch sides.
Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and slowly lay down on the bench. Using a close grip (a grip that is slightly less than shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked and elbows in. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position. Tip: In order to protect your rotator cuff, it is best if you have a spotter help you lift the barbell off the rack. Now lower the bar down to your lower chest as you breathe in. Keep the elbows in as you perform this movement. Using the triceps to push the bar back up, press it back to the starting position as you exhale. As you breathe in and you keep the upper arms stationary, bring the bar down slowly by moving your forearms in a semicircular motion towards you until you feel the bar slightly touch your forehead. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Lift the bar back to the starting position by contracting the triceps and exhaling. Repeat steps 3-6 until the recommended amount of repetitions is performed.
Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and lie down with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other. Once you are laying down, move the dumbbells in front of you at shoulder width. Once at shoulder width, rotate your wrists forward so that the palms of your hands are facing away from you. This will be your starting position. Bring down the weights slowly to your side as you breathe out. Keep full control of the dumbbells at all times. Tip: Throughout the motion, the forearms should always be perpendicular to the floor. As you breathe out, push the dumbbells up using your pectoral muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, squeeze your chest, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions of your training program.
Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and slowly lay down on the bench. Using a close grip (a grip that is slightly less than shoulder width), lift the EZ bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked and elbows in. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position. Tip: In order to protect your rotator cuff, it is best if you have a spotter help you lift the barbell off the rack. As you breathe in and you keep the upper arms stationary, bring the bar down slowly by moving your forearms in a semicircular motion towards you until you feel the bar slightly touch your forehead. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Lift the bar back to the starting position by contracting the triceps and exhaling. Repeat until the recommended amount of repetitions is performed.
Sit on an Incline Bench while holding a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. Lift your legs up to kick the weights to your shoulders and lean back. Position the dumbbells above your shoulders with your arms extended. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor with your palms facing forward and knuckles pointing towards the ceiling. This will be your starting position. While keeping the arms straight and locked, lift the dumbbells by raising the shoulders from the bench as you breathe out. Bring back the dumbbells to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Grab a dumbbell in each arm and stand up straight with your arms extended by your sides with a slight bend at the elbows and your back straight. This will be your starting position. Tip: The dumbbell should be next to your thighs with the palm of your hands facing back. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be to the side of the body as you move them up. Continue to lift it until the dumbbells are nearly in line with your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbell, your elbow should always be higher than your forearm. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight while holding a dumbbell on each hand (palms facing the side of your legs). Position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position. Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance described above which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances discussed in the foot stances section. Begin to slowly lower your torso by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that is perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly. Begin to raise your torso as you exhale by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot mainly as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand with your hands together, arms extended directly in front of you. This will be your starting position. Keeping your arms straight, quickly move your arms back as far as possible and back in again, similar to an exaggerated clapping motion. Repeat 5-10 times, increasing speed as you do so.
Sit or stand with your feet slightly apart. Place your hands on your shoulders with your elbows at shoulder level and pointing out. Slowly make a circle with your elbows. Breathe out as you start the circle and breathe in as you complete the circle.
Lie on the floor, crossing your right leg across your bent left knee. Clasp your hands behind your head, beginning with your shoulder blades on the ground. This will be your starting position. Perform the motion by flexing the spine and rotating your torso to bring the left elbow to the right knee. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions before switching sides.
Stand up straight. Place both hands on your lower back, fingers pointing downward and elbows out. Then gently pull your elbows back aiming to touch them together.
Get a platform of some sort (it can be an aerobics or calf raise platform) that is around 4-6 inches in height. Place it on the seat of the cable row machine. Sit down on the machine and place your feet on the front platform or crossbar provided making sure that your knees are slightly bent and not locked. Lean over as you keep the natural alignment of your back and grab the V-bar handles. With your arms extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs. Your back should be slightly arched and your chest should be sticking out. You should be feeling a nice stretch on your lats as you hold the bar in front of you. This is the starting position of the exercise. Keeping the torso stationary, pull the handles back towards your torso while keeping the arms close to it until you touch the abdominals. Breathe out as you perform that movement. At that point you should be squeezing your back muscles hard. Hold that contraction for a second and slowly go back to the original position while breathing in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit down on an incline bench with the incline set anywhere between 30 to 60 degrees while holding a dumbbell on each hand. Tip: You can change the angle to hit the muscle a little differently each time. Extend your arms straight in front of you and have your palms facing down with the dumbbells raised about 1 inch above your thighs. This will be your starting position. Slowly raise the dumbbells straight up until they are slightly above your shoulders, while keeping your elbows locked. Squeeze at the top for a second and make sure you breathe out during this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep your head resting down against the bench and your legs on the floor at all times. Lower the arms back to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand next to a chair or other support, holding on with one hand. Swing your leg forward, keeping the leg straight. Continue with a downward swing, bringing the leg as far back as your flexibility allows. Repeat 5-10 times, and then switch legs.
While standing straight, hold a barbell plate in both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Your palms should be facing each other and your arms should be extended and locked with a slight bend at the elbows and the plate should be down near your waist in front of you as far as you can go. Tip: The arms will remain in this position throughout the exercise. This will be your starting position. Slowly raise the plate as you exhale until it is a little above shoulder level. Hold the contraction for a second. Tip: make sure that you do not swing the weight or bend at the elbows. Your torso should remain stationary throughout the movement as well. As you inhale, slowly lower the plate back down to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells on front of your thighs at arms length with the palms of the hand facing your thighs. This will be your starting position. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to the front with a slight bend on the elbow and the palms of the hands always facing down. Continue to go up until you arms are slightly above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this portion of the movement and pause for a second at the top. As you inhale, lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Begin in a pushup position on the floor. This will be your starting position. Using both legs, jump forward landing with your feet next to your hands. Keep your head up as you do so. Return to the starting position and immediately repeat the movement, continuing for 10-20 repetitions.
Lie on your back with one leg extended above you, with the hip at ninety degrees. Keep the other leg flat on the floor. Loop a belt, band, or rope over the ball of your foot. This will be your starting position. Pull on the belt to create tension in the calves and hamstrings. Hold this stretch for 10-30 seconds, and repeat with the other leg.
Position yourself on your hands and knees on the ground. Maintaining good posture, raise one bent knee off of the ground. This will be your starting position. Keeping the knee in a bent position, rotate the femur in an arc, attempting to make a big circle with your knee. Perform this slowly for a number of repetitions, and repeat on the other side.
Stand with your feet close together. Keeping your legs straight, stretch down and put your hands on the floor directly in front of you. This will be your starting position. Begin by walking your hands forward slowly, alternating your left and your right. As you do so, bend only at the hip, keeping your legs straight. Keep going until your body is parallel to the ground in a pushup position. Now, keep your hands in place and slowly take short steps with your feet, moving only a few inches at a time. Continue walking until your feet are by hour hands, keeping your legs straight as you do so.
Hold a barbell with an overhand grip (palms down) that is a little closer together than shoulder width. Lie back on an incline bench set at any angle between 45-75-degrees. Bring the bar overhead with your arms extended and elbows in. The arms should be in line with the torso above the head. This will be your starting position. Now lower the bar in a semicircular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Inhale as you perform this movement. Tip: Keep your upper arms stationary and close to your head at all times. Only the forearms should move. Return to the starting position as you breathe out and you contract the triceps. Hold the contraction for a second. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Grab a dumbbell in each hand and lie face down on an incline bench that is set to an incline that is approximately 30 degrees. Let the arms hang to your sides fully extended as they point to the floor. Turn the wrists until your hands have a pronated (palms down) grip. Now flare the elbows out. This will be your starting position. As you breathe out, start to pull the dumbbells up as if you are doing a reverse bench press. You will do this by bending at the elbows and bringing the upper arms up as you let the forearms hang. Continue this motion until the upper arms are at the same level as your back. Tip: The elbows will come out to the side and your upper arms and torso should make the letter "T" at the top of the movement. Hold the contraction at the top for a second. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
To get yourself into the starting position, set the pulleys at the floor level (lowest level possible on the machine that is below your torso). Place an incline bench (set at 45 degrees) in between the pulleys, select a weight on each one and grab a pulley on each hand. With a handle on each hand, lie on the incline bench and bring your hands together at arms length in front of your face. This will be your starting position. With a slight bend of your elbows (in order to prevent stress at the biceps tendon), lower your arms out at both sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch on your chest. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep in mind that throughout the movement, the arms should remain stationary. The movement should only occur at the shoulder joint. Return your arms back to the starting position as you squeeze your chest muscles and exhale. Hold the contracted position for a second. Tip: Make sure to use the same arc of motion used to lower the weights. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Lie back on an incline bench with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other. By using your thighs to help you get the dumbbells up, clean the dumbbells one arm at a time so that you can hold them at shoulder width. Once at shoulder width, keep the palms of your hands with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Keep your elbows flared out with the upper arms in line with the shoulders (perpendicular to the torso) and the elbows bent creating a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm. This will be your starting position. Now bring down the weights slowly to your side as you breathe in. Keep full control of the dumbbells at all times. As you breathe out, push the dumbbells up using your pectoral muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions. When you are done, place the dumbbells back in your thighs and then on the floor. This is the safest manner to dispose of the dumbbells.
Lie face down on the floor, with your arms extended out to your side, palms pressed to the floor. This will be your starting position. To begin, flex one knee and bring that leg across the back of your body, attempting to touch it to the ground near the opposite hand. Promptly return the leg to the starting postion, and quickly repeat with the other leg. Continue alternating for 10-20 repetitions.
Assume a push-up position, supporting your weight on your hands and toes while keeping your body straight. Your hands should be just outside of shoulder width. This will be your starting position. Begin by shifting your body weight as far to one side as possible, allowing the elbow on that side to flex as you lower your body. Reverse the motion by extending the flexed arm, pushing yourself up and then dropping to the other side. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Lie flat on the floor (or exercise mat) on your back with your arms extended straight back behind your head and your legs extended also. This will be your starting position. As you exhale, bend at the waist while simultaneously raising your legs and arms to meet in a jackknife position. Tip: The legs should be extended and lifted at approximately a 35-45 degree angle from the floor and the arms should be extended and parallel to your legs. The upper torso should be off the floor. While inhaling, lower your arms and legs back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Position your body on the floor in the basic sit-up position; knees to a ninety degree angle with feet flat on the floor and arms either crossed over your chest or to the sides. This will be your starting position. As you strongly tighten your glutes and hamstrings, fill your lungs with air and in a slow (three to six second count) ascent, slowly exhale. Tip: It is important to tighten the glutes and hamstrings as this will cause the hip flexors to be inactivated in a process called reciprocal inhibition, which basically means that opposite muscles to the contracted ones will relax. As you inhale, slowly go back in a controlled manner to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie on your back on the floor and press a kettlebell to the top position by extending the elbow. Bend the knee on the same side as the kettlebell. Keeping the kettlebell locked out at all times, pivot to the opposite side and use your non- working arm to assist you in driving forward to the lunge position. Using your free hand, push yourself to a seated position, then progressing to your feet. While looking up at the kettlebell, slowly stand up. Reverse the motion back to the starting position and repeat.
Lie down on the floor with your right leg straight. Bend your left leg and lower it across your body, holding the knee down toward the floor with your right hand. (The knee doesn't need to touch the floor if you're tight.) Place your left arm comfortably beside you and turn your head to the left. Imagine you have a weight tied to your tailbone. let your tailbone fall back toward the floor as your chest reaches in the opposite direction to stretch your lower back. Switch sides.
Stand with your legs together and hands by your waist. Now move your knees in a circular motion as you breathe normally. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Start by kneeling on a mat with your palms flat and your fingers pointing back toward your knees. Slowly lean back keeping your palms flat on the floor until you feel a stretch in your wrists and forearms. Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Assume a half squat position facing 90 degrees from your direction of travel. This will be your starting position. Allow your lead leg to do a countermovement inward as you shift your weight to the outside leg. Immediately push off and extend, attempting to bound to the side as far as possible. Upon landing, immediately push off in the opposite direction, returning to your original start position. Continue back and forth for several repetitions.
Position a number of cones in a row several feet apart. Stand next to the end of the cones, facing 90 degrees to the direction of travel. This will be your starting position. Begin the jump by dipping with the knees to initiate a stretch reflex, and immediately reverse direction to push off the ground, jumping up and sideways over the cone. Use your legs to absorb impact upon landing, and rebound into the next jump, continuing down the row of cones.
Load an appropriate weight onto the pins and adjust the seat for your height. The handles should be near the top of the pectorals at the beginning of the motion. Your chest and head should be up and your shoulder blades retracted. This will be your starting position. Press the handles forward by extending through the elbow. After a brief pause at the top, return the weight just above the start position, keeping tension on the muscles by not returning the weight to the stops until the set is complete.
Sit on a low pulley row machine with a rope attachment. Grab the ends of the rope using a palms-down grip and sit with your back straight and your knees slightly bent. Tip: Keep your back almost completely vertical and your arms fully extended in front of you. This will be your starting position. While keeping your torso stationary, lift your elbows and start bending them as you pull the rope towards your neck while exhaling. Throughout the movement your upper arms should remain parallel to the floor. Tip: Continue this motion until your hands are almost next to your ears (the forearms will not be parallel to the floor at the end of the movement as they will be angled a bit upwards) and your elbows are out away from your sides. After holding for a second or so at the contracted position, come back slowly to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Again, during no part of the movement should the torso move. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie on your stomach with your arms out to your sides. This will be your starting position. Using your lower back muscles, extend your spine lifting your chest off of the ground. Do not use your arms to push yourself up. Keep your head up during the movement. Repeat for 10-20 repetitions.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of the feet pressed together. Have your partner hold your knees. This will be your starting position. Attempt to squeeze your knees together, while your partner prevents any movement from occurring. After 10-20 seconds, relax your muscles as your partner gently pushes your knees towards the floor. Be sure to inform your helper when the stretch is adequate to prevent injury or overstretching.
While holding a barbell or EZ Curl bar with a pronated grip (palms facing forward), lie on your back on a flat bench with your head close to the end of the bench. Tip: If you are holding a barbell grab it using a shoulder-width grip and if you are using an E-Z Bar grab it on the inner handles. Extend your arms in front of you and slowly bring the bar back in a semi circular motion (while keeping the arms extended) to a position over your head. At the end of this step your arms should be overhead and parallel to the floor. This will be your starting position. Tip: Keep your elbows in at all times. As you inhale, lower the bar by bending at the elbows and while keeping the upper arm stationary. Keep lowering the bar until your forearms are perpendicular to the floor. As you exhale bring the bar back up to the starting position by pushing the bar up in a semi-circular motion until the lower arms are also parallel to the floor. Contract the triceps hard at the top of the movement for a second. Tip: Again, only the forearms should move. The upper arms should remain stationary at all times. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie on your back with your legs extended. Cross one leg over your body with the knee bent, attempting to touch the knee to the ground. Your partner should kneel beside you, holding your shoulder down with one hand and controlling the crossed leg with the other. this will be your starting position. Attempt to raise the bent knee off of the ground as your partner prevents any actual movement. After 10-20 seconds, relax the leg as your partner gently presses the knee towards the floor. Repeat with the other side.
Lie on your back with your partner kneeling beside you. Flex the hip of one leg, raising it off of the floor. Rotate the leg so the foot is over the opposite hip, the lower leg perpendicular to your body. Your partner should hold the knee and ankle in place. This will be your starting position. Attempt to push your leg towards your partner, who should be preventing any actual movement of the leg. After 10-20 seconds, completely relax as your partner gently pushes the ankle and knee towards your chest. Be sure to inform your helper when the stretch is adequate to prevent injury or overstretching.
Lie on your back with your legs extended. Your partner should be kneeling beside you. Raise one leg up towards the ceiling and have your partner hold the ankle. Your partner can use their shoulder to brace your leg if necessary. This will be your starting position. With your partner holding your leg in place, attempt to flex the knee, contracting the hamstrings for 10-20 seconds. Then relax your leg, allowing your partner to gently push the leg towards your head. Be sure to inform your helper when the stretch is adequate to prevent injury or overstretching. Switch sides once complete.
Lay face down on the floor with your partner kneeling beside you. Flex one knee and raise that leg off the ground, attempting to touch your glutes with your foot. Your partner should hold the knee and ankle. This will be your starting position. Attempt to extend your knee while your partner prevents any actual movement. After 10-20 seconds, relax your muscles as your partner gently pushes the foot towards your glutes, further stretching the quadriceps and hip flexors. After 10-20 seconds, switch sides.
While holding a dumbbell in each hand, lay with your chest down on a flat bench. Position the palms of the hands in a neutral manner (palms facing your torso) as you keep the arms extended with the elbows slightly bent. This will be your starting position. Now raise the arms to the side until your elbows are at shoulder height and your arms are roughly parallel to the floor as you exhale. Tip: Maintain your arms perpendicular to the torso while keeping them extended throughout the movement. Also, keep the contraction at the top for a second. Slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then switch to the other arm.
Sit down on the Chest Press Machine and select the weight. Step on the lever provided by the machine since it will help you to bring the handles forward so that you can grab the handles and fully extend the arms. Grab the handles with a palms-down grip and lift your elbows so that your upper arms are parallel to the floor to the sides of your torso. Tip: Your forearms will be pointing forward since you are grabbing the handles. Once you bring the handles forward and extend the arms you will be at the starting position. Now bring the handles back towards you as you breathe in. Push the handles away from you as you flex your pecs and you breathe out. Hold the contraction for a second before going back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of reps. When finished step on the lever again and slowly get the handles back to their original place.
Assume a semisquat stance with a medicine ball in your hands. Your arms should hang so the ball is near your feet. Begin by thrusting the hips forward as you extend through the legs, jumping up. As you do, swing your arms up and over your head, keeping them extended, releasing the ball at the peak of your movement. The goal is to throw the ball the greatest distance behind you.
Lie facedown on an incline bench while holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your arms should be fully extended hanging down and pointing towards the floor. The palms of your hands should be facing each other. This will be your starting position. As you exhale, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold the contraction for a full second. Tip: This movement is just like the reverse action of a hug, or trying to perform rear laterals as if you had no arms. As you inhale go back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand so your feet are shoulder width apart and your hands are on your hips. Twist at your waist until you feel a stretch. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds, then twist to the other side.
Place the back of your torso against the back pad of the machine and hook your shoulders under the shoulder pads provided. Position your legs in the platform using a less than shoulder width narrow stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Your feet should be around 3 inches or less apart. Tip: Keep your head up at all times and also maintain the back on the pad at all times. Place your arms on the side handles of the machine and disengage the safety bars (which on most designs is done by moving the side handles from a facing front position to a diagonal position). Now straighten your legs without locking the knees. This will be your starting position. Begin to slowly lower the unit by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up (back on the pad at all times). Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Begin to raise the unit as you exhale by pushing the floor with mainly with the heels of your feet as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Start out by lying on your right side with your legs lying on top of each other. Make sure your knees are bent a little bit. Place your left hand behind your head. Once you are in this set position, begin by moving your left elbow up as you would perform a normal crunch except this time the main emphasis is on your obliques. Crunch as high as you can, hold the contraction for a second and then slowly drop back down into the starting position. Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (elevation) part of the exercise.
Start off by lying on the floor. Extend one leg straight and pull the other knee to your chest. Hold under the knee joint to protect the kneecap. Gently tug that knee toward your nose. Switch sides. This stretches the buttocks and lower back of the bent leg and the hip flexor of the straight leg.
Place a kettlebell between your feet. As you bend down to grab the kettlebell, push your butt back and keep your eyes looking forward. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you raise the kettlebell towards your shoulder. The wrist should rotate as you do so. Return the weight to the starting position.
Secure your feet and lay back on the floor. Your knees should be bent. Hold a weight with both hands to your chest. This will be your starting position. Initiate the movement by flexing the hips and spine to raise your torso up from the ground. As you move up, press the weight up so that it is above your head at the top of the movement. Return the weight to your chest as you reverse the sit-up motion, ensuring not to go all the way down to the floor.
To begin, set a weight that is comfortable on each side of the pulley machine. Note: Make sure that the amount of weight selected is the same on each side. Now adjust the height of the pulleys on each side and make sure that they are positioned at a height higher than that of your shoulders. Stand in the middle of both sides and use an underhand grip (palms facing towards the ceiling) to grab each handle. Your arms should be fully extended and parallel to the floor with your feet positioned shoulder width apart from each other. Your body should be evenly aligned the handles. This is the starting position. While exhaling, slowly squeeze the biceps on each side until your forearms and biceps touch. While inhaling, move your forearms back to the starting position. Note: Your entire body is stationary during this exercise except for the forearms. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions prescribed in your program.
Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you. Raise one arm straight up, and flex the elbow, attempting to touch your hand to your back. Your parner should hold your tricep and wrist. This will be your starting position. Attempt to pull your upper arm to your side as your partner prevents you from doing actually doing so. After 10-20 seconds, relax the arm and allow your partner to further stretch the lat by applying gentle pressure to the tricep. Hold for 10-20 seconds, and then switch sides.
Standing straight up, lace your fingers together and open your palms to the ceiling. Keep your shoulders down as you extend your arms up. To create a full torso stretch, pull your tailbone down and stabilize your torso as you do this. Stretch the muscles on both the front and the back of the torso.
Lie down with your feet on the floor, heels directly under your knees. Lift only your tailbone to the ceiling to stretch your lower back. (Don't lift the entire spine yet.) Pull in your stomach. To go into a bridge, lift the entire spine except the neck.
Lay on your side, supporting your weight on your forearm and on a foam roller placed on the outside of your lower leg. Your upper leg can either be on top of your lower leg, or you can cross it in front of you. This will be your starting position. Raise your hips off of the ground and begin to roll from below the knee to above the ankle on the side of your leg, pausing at points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Sit with your buttocks on top of a foam roll. Bend your knees, and then cross one leg so that the ankle is over the knee. This will be your starting position. Shift your weight to the side of the crossed leg, rolling over the buttocks until you feel tension in your upper glute. You may assist the stretch by using one hand to pull the bent knee towards your chest. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds, and then switch sides.
Lie down on the floor or an exercise mat with your legs fully extended and your upper body upright. Grab the plate by its sides with both hands out in front of your abdominals with your arms slightly bent. Slowly cross your legs near your ankles and lift them up off the ground. Your knees should also be bent slightly. Note: Move your upper body back slightly to help keep you balanced turning this exercise. This is the starting position. Move the plate to the left side and touch the floor with it. Breathe out as you perform that movement. Come back to the starting position as you breathe in and then repeat the movement but this time to the right side of the body. Tip: Use a slow controlled movement at all times. Jerking motions can injure the back. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Place a kettlebell on the floor. Place yourself in a pushup position, on your toes with one hand on the ground and one hand holding the kettlebell, with your elbows extended. This will be your starting position. Begin by lowering yourself as low as you can, keeping your back straight. Quickly and forcefully reverse direction, pushing yourself up to the other side of the kettlebell, switching hands as you do so. Continue the movement by descending and repeating the movement back and forth.
Place the upper part of both arms on top of the preacher bench as you hold a dumbbell in each hand with the palms facing each other (neutral grip). As you breathe in, slowly lower the dumbbells until your upper arm is extended and the biceps is fully stretched. As you exhale, use the biceps to curl the weight up until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder height. Squeeze the biceps hard for a second at the contracted position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
To begin, lie down on a bench with a barbell resting on your chest. Position your legs so they are secure on the extension of the abdominal bench. This is the starting position. While inhaling, tighten your abdominals and glutes. Simultaneously curl your torso as you do when performing a sit-up and press the barbell to an overhead position while exhaling. Tip: Use your arms to push the barbell out as you perform this exercise while still focusing on the abdominal muscles. Lower your upper body back down to the starting position while bringing the barbell back down to your torso. Remember to breathe in while lowering the body. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Adjust the handles so that they are fully to the rear. Make an appropriate weight selection and adjust the seat height so the handles are at shoulder level. Grasp the handles with your hands facing inwards. This will be your starting position. In a semicircular motion, pull your hands out to your side and back, contracting your rear delts. Keep your arms slightly bent throughout the movement, with all of the motion occurring at the shoulder joint. Pause at the rear of the movement, and slowly return the weight to the starting position.
Kneel 1-2 feet in front of a cable system with a rope attached. After selecting an appropriate weight, grasp the rope with both hands reaching overhead. Your torso should be upright in the starting position. To begin, flex at the spine, attempting to bring your rib cage to your legs as you pull the cable down. Pause at the bottom of the motion, and then slowly return to the starting position. These can be done with twists or to the side to hit the obliques.
Attach a rope to a high pulley and make your weight selection. Stand a couple feet back from the pulley with your feet staggered and take the rope with both hands. Lean forward from the hip, keeping your back straight, with your arms extended up in front of you. This will be your starting position. Keeping your arms straight, extend the shoulder to pull the rope down to your thighs. Pause at the bottom of the motion, squeezing your lats. Return to the starting position without allowing the weight to fully rest on the stack.
To begin, lie down with your back pressed against the floor or on an exercise mat (optional). Your arms should be fully extended to the sides with your palms facing down. Note: The arms should be stationary the entire time. With a slight bend at the knees, lift your legs up so that your heels are about 6 inches off the ground. This is the starting position. Now lift your left leg up to about a 45 degree angle while your right leg is lowered until the heel is about 2-3 inches from the ground. Switch movements by raising your right leg up and lowering your left leg. Remember to breathe while performing this exercise. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Assume a lunge stance position with one foot forward with the knee bent, and the rear knee nearly touching the ground. Ensure that the front knee is over the midline of the foot. Extending through both legs, jump as high as possible, swinging your arms to gain lift. As you jump as high as you can, switch the position of your legs, moving your front leg to the back and the rear leg to the front. As you land, absorb the impact through the legs by adopting the lunge position, and repeat.
Place a couple of dumbbells looking forward in front of a flat bench. Sit on the end of the bench with your legs together and the dumbbells behind your calves. Bend at the waist while keeping the back straight in order to pick up the dumbbells. The palms of your hands should be facing each other as you pick them. This will be your starting position. Keeping your torso forward and stationary, and the arms slightly bent at the elbows, lift the dumbbells straight to the side until both arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you lift the weights. (Note: avoid swinging the torso or bringing the arms back as opposed to the side.) After a one second contraction at the top, slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your partner standing behind you. Extend your arms straight behind you with your palms facing each other. Your partner will hold your wrists for you. This will be the starting position. Attempt to flex your elbows, while your partner prevents any actual movement. After 10-20 seconds, relax your arms while your partner gently pulls your wrists up to stretch your biceps. Be sure to let your partner know when the stretch is appropriate to prevent injury or overstretching.
Sit up straight on an exercise mat. Bend one knee and put that foot on the floor to stabilize the torso. Straighten your other leg and flex your ankle. Using a band, towel, or your hand if you can reach, pull the toes toward you. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, then switch sides.
Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell on each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso. Rotate the palms of the hands so that they are facing your torso. This will be your starting position. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the weights and start twisting the wrists once the dumbbells pass your thighs so that the palms of your hands face forward at the end of the movement. Make sure that you contract the biceps as you breathe out and make sure that only the forearms move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position as your breathe in and as you rotate the wrists back to a neutral grip. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Start out by placing two dumbbells on the floor in front of a flat bench. Sit down on the edge of the flat bench with your legs at about shoulder width apart. Make sure to keep your feet on the floor. Use your arms to grab both of the dumbbells and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against your thighs with the palms of the hands facing down. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge of your thighs. Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling. Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling. Make sure to inhale during this part of the exercise. Tip: Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. When finished, simply lower the dumbbells to the floor.
Grab a couple of dumbbells and sit on a military press bench or a utility bench that has a back support on it as you place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs. Clean the dumbbells up one at a time by using your thighs to bring the dumbbells up to shoulder height at each side. Rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position. As you exhale, push the dumbbells up until they touch at the top. After a second pause, slowly come down back to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit on a bench with the legs stretched out in front of you slightly below parallel and your arms holding on to the sides of the bench. Your torso should be leaning backwards around a 45-degree angle from the bench. This will be your starting position. Bring the knees in toward you as you move your torso closer to them at the same time. Breathe out as you perform this movement. After a second pause, go back to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sit on a mat with your right leg extended in front of you and your left leg bent with your foot against your right inner thigh. Lean forward from your hips and reach for your ankle until you feel a stretch in your hamstring. Hold for 15 seconds, then repeat for your other side.
Sit upright on the floor with your legs bent, your partner standing behind you. Stick your arms straight out to your sides, with your palms facing the ground. Attempt to move them as far behind you as possible, as your assistant holds your wrists. This will be your starting position. Keeping your elbows straight, attempt to move your arms to the front, with your partner gently restraining you to prevent any actual movement for 10-20 seconds. Now, relax your muscles and allow your partner to gently increase the stretch on the shoulders and chest. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds.
In a seated position with your knees bent, cross one ankle over the opposite knee. Your partner will stand behind you. Now, lean forward as your partner braces your shoulders with their hands. This will be your starting position. Attempt to push your torso back for 10-20 seconds, as your partner prevents any actual movement of your torso. Now relax your muscles as your partner increases the stretch by gently pushing your torso forward for 10-20 seconds.
In a seated position with your legs extended, have your partner stand behind you. Now, lean forward as your partner braces your shoulders with their hands. This will be your starting position. Attempt to push your torso back for 10-20 seconds, as your partner prevents any actual movement of your torso. Now relax your muscles as your partner increases the stretch by gently pushing your torso forward for 10-20 seconds.
Sit down on a bench with back support and grasp a dumbbell with both hands and hold it overhead at arm's length. Tip: a better way is to have somebody hand it to you especially if it is very heavy. The resistance should be resting in the palms of your hands with your thumbs around it. The palm of the hand should be facing inward. This will be your starting position. Keeping your upper arms close to your head (elbows in) and perpendicular to the floor, lower the resistance in a semi-circular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Tip: The upper arms should remain stationary and only the forearms should move. Breathe in as you perform this step. Go back to the starting position by using the triceps to raise the dumbbell. Breathe out as you perform this step. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Grab a dumbbell with each hand and stand up erect. Clean (lift) the dumbbells to the chest/shoulder level and then rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing towards you as if you were getting ready to perform an Arnold Press. This will be your starting position. Now start extending your left arm overhead as you rotate the wrist so that the palm of your hand faces forward as you go up. Your elbows should come out also as you lift the weight. Simultaneously, you will also be bending from your hip to your opposite side. Tip: If you perform the exercise correctly, is should look as if you are trying to reach for something overhead on the right hand side of your body, but with your left arm. Breathe out as you perform this movement. Once you reach the top position breathe in. Then, with the weight fully extended overhead and you bent over to your right hand side, begin the movement to the left side. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
With shoulders relaxed and arms resting loosely at your sides (or in your lap if you're seated), gently roll your shoulders forward, up, back, and down. Reverse direction. You can do this exercise alternating shoulders or both at the same time.
To begin, stand on an exercise band so that tension begins at arm's length. Grasp the handles and lift them so that the hands are at shoulder height at each side. Rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. Your elbows should be bent, with the upper arms and forearms in line to the torso. This is your starting position. As you exhale, lift the handles up until your arms are fully extended overhead.
Relax your arms to your sides and raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then back down.
Reach your left arm across your body and hold it straight.
Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells by your side at arms length with the palms of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position. While maintaining the torso in a stationary position (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to your side with a slight bend on the elbow and the hands slightly tilted forward as if pouring water in a glass. Continue to go up until you arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this movement and pause for a second at the top. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand next to a chair, which you may hold onto as a support. Stand on one leg. This will be your starting position. Keeping your leg straight, raise it as far out to the side as possible, and swing it back down, allowing it to cross the opposite leg. Repeat this swinging motion 5-10 times, increasing the range of motion as you do so.
Start with your shoulders relaxed, gently tilt your head towards your shoulder. Assist stretch with a gentle pull on the side of the head.
This stretch works best standing. Cross your left arm over the midline of your body and hold the left wrist in your right hand down at the level of your hips. Start the stretch with a bent left arm. Slowly straighten, pull, and lift it up to shoulder height, as pictured. Feel this stretch originate in your back, not your shoulders, and don't pull too hard on the shoulders joint. Switch sides.
Stand to the side of a box with your inside foot on top of it, close to the edge. Begin by swinging the arms upward as you push through the top leg, jumping upward as high as possible. Attempt to drive the opposite knee upward. Land in the same position that you started, using your inside leg to decelerate the impact.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position. Begin the movement by flexing your knees and hips, sitting back with your hips. Continue until you have squatted a portion of the way down, but are above parallel, and quickly reverse the motion until you return to the starting position. Repeat for 5-10 repetitions.
This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso. Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances discussed in the foot stances section). Begin to lower the bar by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that is perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly. Begin to raise the bar as fast as possible without involving momentum as you exhale by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot mainly as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position. Note: You should perform these exercises as fast as possible but without breaking perfect form and without involving momentum. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Begin in a prone position on the floor. Support your weight on your hands and toes, with your feet together and your body straight. Your arms should be bent to 90 degrees. This will be your starting position. Initiate the movement by raising one foot off of the ground. Externally rotate the leg and bring the knee toward your elbow, as far forward as possible. Return this leg to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
Sit in a chair so your back is straight and your feet planted on the floor. Interlace your fingers behind your head, elbows out and your chin down. Twist your upper body to one side about 3 times as far as you can. Then lean forward and twist your torso to reach your elbow to the floor on the inside of your knee. Return to upright position and then repeat for your other side.
With a dumbbell in each hand and the palms facing your torso, bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Make sure that you keep the head up. The upper arms should be close to the torso and parallel to the floor while the forearms are pointing towards the floor as the hands hold the weights. Tip: There should be a 90-degree angle between the forearms and the upper arm. This is your starting position. Keeping the upper arms stationary, use the triceps to lift the weights as you exhale until the forearms are parallel to the floor and the whole arms are extended. Like many other arm exercises, only the forearm moves. After a second contraction at the top, slowly lower the dumbbells back to their starting position as you inhale. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Clasp your hands behind your back with your palms together, straighten arms and then rotate them so your palms face downward. Raise your arms up and hold until you feel a stretch in your biceps.
To begin, stand straight with a dumbbell in each hand using a pronated grip (palms facing down). Your arms should be fully extended while your feet are shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the muscle. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing your thighs. Keep your arms straight with a slight bend at the elbows but keep them locked. This will be your starting position. Raise the dumbbells in a semicircular motion to arm's length overhead as you exhale. Slowly return to the starting position using the same path as you inhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
To begin, stand up with a dumbbell held by both hands. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart from each other. Slowly use both hands to grab the dumbbell and lift it over your head until both arms are fully extended. The resistance should be resting in the palms of your hands with your thumbs around it. The palm of the hands should be facing up towards the ceiling. This will be your starting position. Keeping your upper arms close to your head with elbows in and perpendicular to the floor, lower the resistance in a semicircular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Tip: The upper arms should remain stationary and only the forearms should move. Breathe in as you perform this step. Go back to the starting position by using the triceps to raise the dumbbell. Breathe out as you perform this step. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated (palms forward) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The dumbbells should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be close to the body as you move it up and the elbows should drive the motion. Continue to lift them until they nearly touch your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbells, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand up straight with the spine vertical, the left foot slightly in front of the right. Bend both knees and lift the back heel off the floor as you press the right hip forward. You can't get a thorough, deep stretch in this position, however, because it's hard to relax the hip flexor and stand on it at the same time. Switch sides.
Stand up with a dumbbell in each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso. Your legs should be at about shoulder's width apart from each other. Rotate the palms of the hands so that they are facing inward in a neutral position. This will be your starting position. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights out while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Your wrist should turn so that when the weights are fully elevated you have supinated grip (palms facing up). Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Tip: Keep the forearms aligned with your outer deltoids. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position as your breathe in. Remember to rotate the wrists as you lower the weight in order to switch back to a neutral grip. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Take a slightly wider than hip distance stance with your knees slightly bent. Place your right hand on your right hip to support the spine. Raise your left arm in a vertical line and place your left hand behind your head. Keep it there as you incline your torso to the right. Keep your weight evenly distributed between both legs (don't lean into your left hip). Switch sides.
This drill is best done in sand or other soft landing surface. Ensure that you are able to measure distance. Stand in a partial squat stance with feet shoulder width apart. Utilizing a big arm swing and a countermovement of the legs, jump forward as far as you can. Attempt to land with your feet out in front you, reaching as far as possible with your legs. Measure the distance from your landing point to the starting point and track results.
Start by placing a barbell that is about chest high on a squat rack. Once you have selected the weights, grab the barbell using a pronated (palms facing forward) grip. Make sure to grip the bar wider than shoulder width apart from each other. Slightly bend the knees and place the barbell on your collar bone. Lift the barbell up keeping it lying on your chest. Take a step back and position your feet shoulder width apart from each other. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip length, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms. Hold at about shoulder level and slightly in front of your head. This is your starting position. Lower the bar down to the collarbone slowly as you inhale. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Start by having a dumbbell in each hand with your arm fully extended to the side using a neutral grip. Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. Now slowly lift the dumbbells up until you create a 90 degree angle with your arms. Note: Your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor. This the starting position. Continue to maintain a neutral grip throughout the entire exercise. Slowly lift the dumbbells up until your arms are fully extended. While inhaling lower the weights down until your arm is at a 90 degree angle again. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Stand with some space in front and behind you. Bend at the waist, keeping your legs straight, until you can relax and let your upper body hang down in front of you. Let your arms and hands hang down naturally. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds.
Begin in a relaxed stance with your feet shoulder width apart and hold your arms close to the body. To initiate the move, squat down halfway and explode back up as high as possible. Fully extend your entire body, spreading your legs and arms away from the body. As you land, bring your limbs back in and absorb your impact through the legs.
Stand facing a box or bench of an appropriate height with your feet together. This will be your starting position. Begin the movement by stepping up, putting your left foot on the top of the bench. Extend through the hip and knee of your front leg to stand up on the box. As you stand on the box with your left leg, flex your right knee and hip, bringing your knee as high as you can. Reverse this motion to step down off the box, and then repeat the sequence on the opposite leg.
Place a bar on the ground behind the head of an incline bench. Lay on the bench face down. With a pronated grip, pick the barbell up from the floor, keeping your arms straight. Allow the bar to hang straight down. This will be your starting position. To begin, raise the barbell out in front of your head while keeping your arms extended. Return to the starting position.
This drill is great for chest passes when you lack a partner or a wall of sufficient strength. Lay on the ground on your back with your knees bent. Begin with the ball on your chest, held with both hands on the bottom. Explode up, extending through the elbow to throw the ball directly above you as high as possible. Catch the ball with both hands as it comes down.
Lay on the ground on your back with your knees bent. Hold the ball with one hand, extending the arm fully behind your head. This will be your starting position. Initiate the movement at the shoulder, throwing the ball directly forward of you as you sit up, attempting to go for maximum distance. The ball can be thrown to a partner or bounced off of a wall.
Lay on the ground on your back with your knees bent. Hold the ball with both hands, extending the arms fully behind your head. This will be your starting position. Initiate the movement at the shoulder, throwing the ball directly forward of you as you sit up, attempting to go for maximum distance. The ball can be thrown to a partner or bounced off of a wall.
Begin in a seated, upright position. Start by extending your legs in front of you in a V. With your hands on the floor, lean forward as far as possible. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds.
To begin, sit down on the abductor machine and select a weight you are comfortable with. When your legs are positioned properly, grip the handles on each side. Your entire upper body (from the waist up) should be stationary. This is the starting position. Slowly press against the machine with your legs to move them away from each other while exhaling. Feel the contraction for a second and begin to move your legs back to the starting position while breathing in. Note: Remember to keep your upper body stationary to prevent any injuries from occurring. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
To begin, lie down on the floor or an exercise mat with your back pressed against the floor. Your arms should be lying across your sides with the palms facing down. Your legs should be touching each other. Slowly elevate your legs up in the air until they are almost perpendicular to the floor with a slight bend at the knees. Your feet should be parallel to the floor. Move your arms so that they are fully extended at a 45 degree angle from the floor. This is the starting position. While keeping your lower back pressed against the floor, slowly lift your torso and use your hands to try and touch your toes. Remember to exhale while perform this part of the exercise. Slowly begin to lower your torso and arms back down to the starting position while inhaling. Remember to keep your arms straight out pointing towards your toes. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Bring right arm across your body and over your left shoulder, holding your elbow with your left hand, until you feel a stretch in your tricep. Then repeat for your other arm.
Reach your hand behind your head, grasp your elbow and gently pull. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, then switch sides.
Grab a dumbbell with each arm and place the upper arms on top of the preacher bench or the incline bench. The dumbbell should be held at shoulder length. This will be your starting position. As you breathe in, slowly lower the dumbbells until your upper arm is extended and the biceps is fully stretched. As you exhale, use the biceps to curl the weights up until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder height. Squeeze the biceps hard for a second at the contracted position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
While seated, bend forward to hug your thighs from underneath with both arms. Keep your knees together and your legs extended out as you bring your chest down to your knees. You can also stretch your middle back by pulling your back away from your knees as your hugging them.
Grasp a straight bar cable attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The bar should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position. Use your side shoulders to lift the cable bar as you exhale. The bar should be close to the body as you move it up. Continue to lift it until it nearly touches your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the bar, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement. Lower the bar back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
To begin, stand on an exercise band so that tension begins at arm's length. Grasp the handles using a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The handles should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position. Use your side shoulders to lift the handles as you exhale. The handles should be close to the body as you move them up. Continue to lift the handles until they nearly touches your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the handles, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement. Lower the handles back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground or resting on a bench with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Hold a weight to your chest, or you may hold it extended above your torso. This will be your starting position. Now, exhale and slowly begin to roll your shoulders off the floor. Your shoulders should come up off the floor about 4 inches while your lower back remains on the floor. At the top of the movement, flex your abdominals and hold for a brief pause. Then inhale and slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position.
Position a lightly loaded barbell across the back of your shoulders. You could also use a weighted vest, sandbag, or other type of resistance for this exercise. The weight should be light enough that it doesn't slow you down significantly. Your feet should be just outside of shoulder width with your head and chest up. This will be your starting position. Using a countermovement, squat partially down and immediately reverse your direction to explode off of the ground, extending through your hips, knees, and ankles. Maintain good posture throughout the jump. As you return to the ground, absorb the impact through your legs.
Lie back on a decline bench with the feet securely locked at the front of the bench. Using a wide, pronated (palms forward) grip that is around 3 inches away from shoulder width (for each hand), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. The bar will be perpendicular to the torso and the floor. This will be your starting position. As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your lower chest. After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms and squeeze your chest in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Lie on your back with your arms extended out to the sides and your legs straight. This will be your starting position. Lift one leg and quickly cross it over your body, attempting to touch the ground near the opposite hand. Return to the starting position, and repeat with the opposite leg. Continue to alternate for 10-20 repetitions.
Start by standing straight with your feet being shoulder width apart from each other. Elevate your arms to the side of you until they are fully extended and parallel to the floor at a height that is evenly aligned with your shoulders. Tip: Your torso and arms should form the letter "T: Your palms should be facing down. This is the starting position. Keeping your entire body stationary except for the wrists, begin to rotate both wrists forward in a circular motion. Tip: Pretend that you are trying to draw circles by using your hands as the brush. Breathe normally as you perform this exercise. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.