Fitness Blog » Workouts

Alternating Renegade Row

Fitness Blog — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:48:15 +0000

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.

Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover

Fitness Blog — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:47:02 +0000

Lie on a flat bench with a barbell using a shoulder grip width.
Hold the bar straight over your chest with a bend in your arms. This will be your starting position.
While keeping your arms in the bent arm position, lower the weight slowly in an arc behind your head while breathing in until you feel a stretch on the chest.
At that point, bring the barbell back to the starting position using the arc through which the weight was lowered and exhale as you perform this movement.
Hold the weight on the initial position for a second and repeat the motion for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Variations:

You can perform this exercise using a dumbbell or an E-Z bar instead of dumbbells.

Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline

Fitness Blog — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:27:09 +0000

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.

Variations: You can perform this exercise using an E-Z bar or dumbbells.

Cable Shrugs

Fitness Blog — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:25:13 +0000

Grasp a cable bar attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a shoulder width or slightly wider overhand (palms facing down) grip.
Stand erect close to the pulley with your arms extended in front of you holding the bar. This will be your starting position.
Lift the bar by elevating the shoulders as high as possible as you exhale. Hold the contraction at the top for a second. Tip: The arms should remain extended at all times. Refrain from using the biceps to help lift the bar. Only the shoulders should be moving up and down.
Lower the bar back to the original position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variations: You can perform this exercise with bands, barbells or dumbbell. You can also use a single handle and work one side at a time.

Barbell Curl

Fitness Blog — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:10:25 +0000

Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and the elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.
While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second and squeeze the biceps hard.
Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variations:

You can also perform this movement using a straight bar attachment hooked to a low pulley. This variation seems to really provide a good contraction at the top of the movement.
You may also use the closer grip for variety purposes.

Cable Lying Triceps Extension

Fitness Blog — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:55:43 +0000

Lie on a flat bench and grasp the straight bar attachment of a low pulley with a narrow overhand grip. Tip: The easiest way to do this is to have someone hand you the bar as you lay down.
With your arms extended, position the bar over your torso. Your arms and your torso should create a 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position.
Lower the bar by bending at the elbow while keeping the upper arms stationary and elbows in. Go down until the bar lightly touches your forehead. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
Flex the triceps as you lift the bar back to its starting position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
Hold for a second at the contracted position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variations: You can also perform this exercise with a barbell, an E-Z bar, an E-Z bar cable attachment, and dumbbells.

Alternating Kettlebell Row

Fitness Blog — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:14:43 +0000

Place two kettlebells in front of your feet. Bend your knees slightly and push your butt out as much as possible. As you bend over to get into the starting position grab both kettlebells by the handles.
Pull one kettlebell off of the floor while holding on to the other kettlebell. Retract the shoulder blade of the working side, as you flex the elbow, drawing the kettlebell towards your stomach or rib cage.
Lower the kettlebell in the working arm and repeat with your other arm.

Barbell Deadlift

Fitness Blog — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:12:59 +0000

Stand in front of a loaded barbell.
While keeping the back as straight as possible, bend your knees, bend forward and grasp the bar using a medium (shoulder width) overhand grip. This will be the starting position of the exercise. Tip: If it is difficult to hold on to the bar with this grip, alternate your grip or use wrist straps.
While holding the bar, start the lift by pushing with your legs while simultaneously getting your torso to the upright position as you breathe out. In the upright position, stick your chest out and contract the back by bringing the shoulder blades back. Think of how the soldiers in the military look when they are in standing in attention.
Go back to the starting position by bending at the knees while simultaneously leaning the torso forward at the waist while keeping the back straight. When the weights on the bar touch the floor you are back at the starting position and ready to perform another repetition.
Perform the amount of repetitions prescribed in the program.

Caution:

This is not an exercise to be taken lightly. If you have back issues, substitute it for a rowing motion instead.
If you have a healthy back, ensure perfect form and never round the back as this can cause back injury. Be cautious as well with the weight used; in case of doubt, use less weight rather than more.

Variations: Dumbbells can be used as well though I find the bar version easier to perform.

Barbell Side Split Squat

Fitness Blog — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:19:23 +0000

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.

Variations: You can perform this movement with dumbbells.

Ankle On The Knee

Fitness Blog — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:17:57 +0000

From a lying position, bend your knees and keep your feet on the floor.
Place your ankle of one foot on your opposite knee.
Grasp the thigh or knee of the bottom leg and pull both of your legs into the chest. Relax your neck and shoulders. Hold for 10-20 seconds and then switch sides.