Ahh, the mythical bench press. It holds a special place in many lifters’ hearts. The draw of a muscular chest, rounded shoulders, and bulging triceps is what makes many fall in love with benching, either with a barbell or a pair of dumbbells. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to look good, bench pressing
Training
When it comes to developing an upper body that looks great and performs even better, the best coaches in powerlifting, strongman/strongwoman, weightlifting, bodybuilding, and sports performance all agree on one thing: a strong upper back is a must-have. Ivan Kochergin / Shutterstoc While it may not be as impressive-looking as strapping plates around your waist
Some lifters think they don’t “need” to do the goblet squat, usually because they can load more weight onto a barbell. But the goblet squat really is one of the most efficient exercises you can do. It’s more challenging than basic bodyweight squats, it’s more accessible than squatting with a barbell, and can usually be
Pack these travel-ready workouts for your next journey. Written by Merrick Lincoln Last updated on December 6, 2022 Travel is inevitably associated with a departure from normal routine, but regular resistance exercise is one habit you don’t want to leave behind. Resistance training helps to maintain and improve physical health, appearance, and strength. Strong evidence
Talk to anyone in your average gym about training to build conditioning or cut body fat, and the Turkish get-up is probably not going to be one of the first exercises mentioned, if it comes up at all. It may not have the recognition as a squat or deadlift, but a lack of relative popularity
If you listed the most popular ab exercises, there would be some familiar contenders like crunches, planks, and leg raises, no doubt. But one dark horse in the race is the Russian twist. Credit: diplo_game / Shutterstock You’ll see it performed by bodybuilders, fitness influencers, “functional fitness” athletes who wear toe-gripping shoes that look like
If you care about creating an aesthetic physique, then you have engaged in the quest of the coveted v-taper — broad shoulders and a wide back leading down to a slim but hardened midsection. The “swimmer’s look” is often admired, and if you want to achieve it, you need well-developed shoulders. In particular, the lateral
It doesn’t take much to convince most people in the gym to curl. If you want an impressive physique, an intense pump, and more strength in the gym, you’ll find time to do some curls. Credit: Kzenon / Shutterstock But with so many curl variations, which movement do you pick? And how often should you
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving formally or just see the end of November as the beginning of a drawn-out “holiday season,” many people spend the day eating, drinking, and being merry with friends and family. Credit: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock While some lifters jump at the chance for a socially sanctioned cheat day, which too often blends
The barbell deadlift is the king of the jungle when it comes to pulling exercises. It’s a primary movement with the potential to move the most weight. Plus, it’s a competition lift in powerlifting, along with the back squat and bench press. The classic deadlift will always be popular. But if you’re looking for a
Big basic exercises like the bench press, pull-up, and barbell row are great for building your back, chest, and even shoulders, but they might not suffice to fill your sleeves and build an impressive set of guns. Credit: pixelheadphoto digitalskillet / Shutterstock Training your biceps directly will not only contribute to specific muscle growth, but
There aren’t many muscle-building or strength-focused training programs that leave out the traditional lat pulldown. Many effective workouts include this classic, and for good reason. Pulling in a vertical pattern strengthens your back, shoulders, and arms, while also building the muscles that support and stabilize your shoulder blades. This maintains healthy joint function which, in
You might know the deadlift as a member of the “big three” powerlifting movements, along with the squat and bench press. As the least complex of the competition exercises, the deadlift typically allows lifters to move the heaviest weight. This hip-dominant pull from the floor is arguably the purest expression of lower body strength and
Exercises like the chin-up and the deadlift are seen as the kings of back-builders by many lifters, but they are only the meat and potatoes. You have to add some seasoning if you want the best final product, and the extra flavor (and extra results) will come from your exercise choices. The problem is that
The classic barbell deadlift might be the most primal and instinctive movement around. “See that weight on the ground? Betcha can’t pick it up. Go try.” While there’s something to be said for brute-forcing your way to a successful lift, a bit of technique can shift the odds in your favor, not to mention making
Complexes, also known as combination lifts, consist of two or more exercises performed with the same free weight in a non-stop, continuous fashion. While this method may initially appear similar to low-intensity circuit training commonplace in machine-laden rec centers, true complexes are quite the opposite. Romanian weightlifting coach Istvan Javorek popularized complexes in the 1970s to
Most shoulder exercises involve pressing a weight overhead, while most back exercises involve pulling a weight toward your body. The upright row is a little bit of both. This unique vertical pulling exercise targets your shoulders as well as your upper back. Credit: Benoit Daoust / Shutterstock This movement forms the basis of the Olympic
“Don’t skip leg day” has almost become a meme in the gym, warning dedicated lifters to give lower body training as much emphasis, intensity, and attention as their upper body. That’s all well and good, but even when it comes to “leg day,” many lifters still end up skipping a relatively large portion of their
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