Thursday, 24 January 2008

Dumbbell Side Bend - Abdominal Exercise


A well-chiseled abdomen is an enthralling sculpture to behold, particularly one forming that delightful V shape.
But one issue to contend with is that a hefty statistic of all abs exercises performed by bodybuilders is composed of variations on the sit-up and the leg raise. Drawing the legs and torso closer together work as flexions of the abdominus rectus body, short of a complete six-pack abs exercise.Though in essence they are all exercises to get abs, flexions are only one of the three functions of the abdomen.

Drawing the legs and torso closer together workas flexions of the abdominus rectus body, short of a complete six-pack abs exercise. Though in essence they are all exercises to get abs, flexions are only one of the three functions of the abdomen.The other two are bending to the side, and twisting from side to side - these movements depend on the oblique muscles. Honing your obliques is the creed of every proper flat abs exercise.The obliques refer to the large muscle group on either side of your lower back. Located just under the ribcage, obliques assist in twisting motions for the torso, whether bending it to one side and forward or twist it at the waist from one side to the other. They are also designated to transfer power from the legs to the lats and upper back and shoulder. Apart from its crucial role in lateral bending and twisting, the obliques play a pivotal role in all abdominus rectus exercises, and act as a counterforce to the spinal erector muscles of the back.
More than the abdominus rectus could, the obliques cover and hold in a much larger portion of the abdomen. The muscle group curves inward and downward from the sides to the front of the lower abdomen, and down into the crotch. For that reason the obliques are not just a side muscle, but a frontal muscle as well, particularly the internal obliques and the lower portion of the external obliques. For an exercise to build your abs, this exercise for lower abs is your answer.
Your hackneyed sit-ups and leg raises don’t work the obliques much at all. They even bite off more than it can chew as they gradually force the top of the pelvis to tilt forward, contributing to swayback.
Touted one of the best abs exercises around, the dumbbell side bend is the most frequently recommended to train the obliques. There is many an abs exercise video with oblique training in their program.
Here is a basic abs exercise tip nevertheless. For those Greek god obliques, stand erect, feet spaced 16" apart. Grasp the dumbbell in right hand, palms facing inwards. Place left hand on waist, remembering to keep the back straight. Lean right as far as possible, and then bend to left as far as possible. Shift weight to left hand and do repetitions of the movement. Bend only at the waist, not at the hips or knees.
This abs exercise works well with other abs exercise equipments such as barbells as much as it does with dumbbells. In a barbell side bend, stand erect, feet still spaced 16" apart. Position a light barbell on shoulders while never forgetting to maintain an upright back. Bend to the right as far as possible, and then lean leftwards as far as possible. Remember to bend at the waist only, not at hips or knees. This variant of the flat abs exercise can also be done seated.

Leg Raise - Abdominal Exercise


Any commendable abs exercise program is comprised of high intensity muscular overload and progressive increase in intensity. Abdominal exercises are crucial for helping you gain strong stomach muscles and back muscles. Henceforth, you may not have to contend with the likelihood of back pains. Moreover, they provide protection against injury by efficient response to stress.
Even then, abs exercises must be undertaken carefully in a way that the back is adequately supported.There are abs exercises that tend towards developing either the upper or lower abdominal region. The leg raise is one such lower abs exercise, focusing on defining the lower abdominal muscles. A single leg raise involves raising one leg from the floor while the double leg raise involves raising both legs from the floor at the same time.Individuals with long or heavy legs should probably avoid this exercise.

With them, this abs exercise pulls the lower back into a distended arch. In general, lying leg raises are ideal lower abs exercise. Such are six pack abs exercises.Individuals with long or heavy legs should probably avoid this exercise. With them, this abs exercise pulls the lower back into a distended arch.
In general, lying leg raises are ideal lower abs exercise. Such are six pack abs exercises.
Execute a lying leg raise by lying on your back with your hands, palms down under your buttocks. Raise your legs at a height of about 12 inches off the floor and hold them there. Using the force of your lower abs, raise your legs by another 6 inches. You can do this by tilting the pelvis. Keep those knees of yours slightly bent.
There are also other variants of this lower abs exercise. They are ideal abs exercise for women.
Side Leg Raise
Using a pillow to cradle your head, lie on your side, with legs straight and in line with your spine. Keep the balance by placing your hand on your bed and bending your bottom knee. Raise your top leg straight up to the horizontal position and then lower your leg slowly. Finish ten repetitions before changing sides.
Hanging Leg Raise
This is a good exercise to get abs. Suspend yourself from a bar with your legs straight down and raise your legs by flexing your hips. Continue raising your knees towards your shoulders by flexing your waist. Never swing nor use momentum, else go slow and concentrate on using your abs to pull your legs up. Return to the starting position and complete repetitions.

Crunch - Abdominal Exercise


Looking for an exercise to build your abs? Crunches rank one of the most commonly used exercises for abdominal muscles, primarily the rectus abdominis. They are hailed as the most commonly used abs exercises in the gym today.
Aside from working on the rectus abdominis, crunches are known as super isolation exercises for the intercostals. This is every way an exercise to get abs, basically performed while lying face up on the floor with knees bent and curling the shoulders up towards the pelvis. Your hands may be placed behind the head for support, but caution should be heeded as not to pull on the neck.

As an alternative, the hands may be placed on the shoulders, with the forearms crossed over the chest. An upper abs exercise, the crunch is different from the sit-up in that the lower back never leaves the floor upon ascent. Through this, the hip flexors are not involved in the activity, effectively isolating the abdominals in turn.
That begs to differ though - crunches have been criticized, for the participation of the hip flexors are not in fact reduced. When the tension spreads from the abdominals to the hip flexors, the tension of the hip flexors reduces the workload on the rectus abdominis.
As an exercise to build abs, the crunch has many variants including the use of an abs exercise equipment, the crunch machine. Lying on a decline bench or holding a weight on the chest can augment to the challenge of a crunch.
Here’s how to execute this six pack abs exercise. First, lie flat on your back and place your calves on a flat bench seat. Your hamstrings should be perpendicular to the floor and knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Position your hands as support behind your head, with fingers interlaced together.
Simultaneously, pull your hips from the floor using your lower abdominal muscles and raise your shoulders and back from the floor using your upper abdominal muscles. While doing such, compel your shoulders to move toward your hips. Sustain the contracted position for a slow count of 1-3 seconds.
Shoulders must come up off the floor only around four inches high. The lower back should remain at all times on the floor. Movement is paced slow, controlled.
This exercise for abs is also good for women who want to get flat abs.

Front Squat - Leg Exercise


In a nutshell, a front squat is the reverse of a back squat. Whereas in the back squat the weight is lifted at the back, the weight is held across the upper chest in the front squat. It dramatically shifts the balance of the movement, as well as the placement of the tension on your muscles.
As a very commendable leg exercise, the front squat is generally used to more effectively target the quadriceps. You are able to maintain a more vertical torso position since the weight is focused at the front of the body. As a result, this allows more tension to be placed on the quads rather than the glutes and lower back. In spite of, this leg and butt exercise requires strong abdominals and shoulders in order to keep the barbell properly racked across the front of the shoulders.

Variations
The concept behind holding the bar on your shoulders or front squat racking can be likened to holding the broomstick in place without using your hands.
Begin this leg exercise by suspending the weight across the pins in the power cage or rack, leveling it at par with your collarbone or a bit lower. Go under the weight in a way that it is sitting about the base of your neck and then bring your elbows up in front of you as high as you can. Reach as high so that your upper arms are parallel to the floor, in turn forming a break between your shoulders and collarbone.
You have a choice between two methods of racking.
Clean-style rack
This version of leg and thigh exercise imparts a wider support for the weight. This is also known as a clean grip, because this is the position that the bar rests at in the top part of the Olympic lift called the clean. It is a recommended leg muscle exercise for people with flexible wrists and shoulders. For al its credit though, it is very difficult for those lacking elbow, wrist and shoulder flexibility or for anyone who has any trouble with those joints.
To do the clean grip anyway, jut your arms out forward, palms down like a zombie from horror B-movies. Fold your hands back facing your face and grip the bar. Palms then face upwards.
Crossed-arms style rack
Also referred to as the crossed-wrist grip, the crossed-arms style of racking in a front squat is executed by holding the bar with palms down and wrists crossed. It is a leg and thigh exercise good for women.
The bar, in this method, is placed across the anterior deltoids and the elbows are pointed forward. Forearms are crossed over directly in front and the hands get a grip on the bar.
In all, the crossed-arm grip is easier on the joints of the upper body. But it leaves you with somewhat less control over the bar, with the added risk that the bar also has a greater tendency to roll back down into the throat.
Both racking styles pressure the rib cage – in this way, it can cause you to run out of breath before your legs are thoroughly worked. Such leg extension exercise is sure to tone your leg muscles and is an exercise to slim legs.

Back Squat - Leg Exercise


Learn to do the back squat well and your body will reward you with a fabulous set of quadriceps.
Often referred to simply as the squat, the back squat is one of the most reputed of leg exercises, let alone one of the best leg exercises around. It targets the totality of your body, giving emphasis on your legs, butt, hips, and lower back.No matter what they say, the leg press exercise is no substitute to the back squat. Unlike a leg press, the back squat not only imparts strength, but also balance, coordination, endurance, and power. Sensations of dizziness, nausea, deafness and light-headedness are few of the known effects of this well-reputed leg muscle exercise,

however. Because of variations in genetic makeup in prospective bodybuilders, this leg and butt exercise may also be deemed dangerous for the select. For one, flat feet places additional stress on the joints and lower back.For good measure, you may use such tools as a lifting belt. This equipment supports your back, makes it tight and in line with the rest of your body. Other leg exercise equipment designed for these ends include lifting straps and knee wraps. You further run however the risk of injury since these lifting tools ultimately become weak and vulnerable when excessively used.To perform this leg extension exercise, do so by loading a barbell with weight at approximately chest height on the squat rack. Your shoulders must rest on the bar and your hands must clutch either side. With palms facing forward, take the weight off the rack. The bar must be resting on the muscle on the back of your shoulders and not on your neck. Descend, keeping your back straight until your thighs are close to parallel with the floor. Then push this same weight back up.Remember to distribute the weight on your upper thighs and the heels or balls of your feet, neither your toes nor your knees. Throughout the whole range of motion of this leg exercise, your back should be angled between 90 to 45 degrees. Never lock out at the top in an effort to build continuous tension in your thighs.By and large, back squats are hard to master. Practice is key before attempting to lift heavy weights.

Calf Raise - Leg Exercise


Calves does not so much gain the recognition it deserves as they have been the most neglected body parts in gym training. That does not take away the extensive use of these muscles in walking, jumping, and running.
Calves are nominally the gastrocnemius and soleus, situated at the back of the lower human leg. The calf muscles are linked by the Achilles tendon to the foot. They contract to induce plantar flexion of the foot.By far the calf raise is a good leg exercise of pertinence, which comes in multiple variations. You don’t need a leg exercise machine for this - a barbell or dumbbell would suffice. It is also a good leg exercise at home. VariationsStanding Dumbbell Calf Raise

In this variation of the leg exercise, the main leg exercise equipment of use is the dumbbell. Begin by placing a wooden block or something similar on the ground that is at least 2 - 3 inches tall. Clutching a dumbbell in each hand, plant your toes and balls of feet on the block with arches and heels extending off and resting on the floor. Afterwards, raise your heels by extending ankles as high as possible then subsequently lower heels by bending your ankles until your calves are stretched. Do repetitions, while maintaining straight knees all throughout this leg muscle exercise. Bend the knees slightly only during stretch.
The standing dumbbell calf raise can also be performed with a barbell on your back instead.
Calf Raise On A Dumbbell
In essence, you do one-legged calf raises with this leg muscle exercise. Stand upright on a dumbbell handle, preferably the rolling sort with round plates. This rolling orientation will make you work to stabilize yourself as you're doing the calf raise, increasing the effectiveness of the leg exercise.
Hang onto something solid as you're doing this exercise for support. The rolling dumbbell will allow your foot to move over the top of the handle. In turn, this movement gives you full extension of the calf at the top. As you ascend, roll the dumbbell slightly backward. Slightly roll it forward as you go low to get a better stretch.
You can also execute this leg extension exercise by standing on the actual dumbbell plate, using a large 85-pound dumbbell that is wider.
Seated Barbell Calf Raise
Sitting comfortably, rest the balls of your feet on the edge of a raised platform no less than 4 inches. Position a barbell of your preference on your thighs, just above your knees.
Raise and lower your heels with all your weight on the balls of your feet. For 2 - 3 seconds hold the upward phase of the range of motion, prior to returning your heel back down to the floor.

Goodmornings - Leg Exercise


When it comes to one of the best leg exercises, particularly that which works out the lumbar, glutes, and hamstrings, goodmornings are much recommended. Good movements to do if one has an issue with the arm or shoulder, goodmornings have multiple variations.
Among others, there are variations of this leg exercise, such as wide stance arched back goodmornings, narrow stance rounded back goodmornings, suspended goodmornings, and seated goodmornings.All the same, these leg muscle exercises can intercept wear and tear on thehands.Though goodmornings provide great leg exercise, extreme caution should be exercised when doing them.

A little distraction factored in the workout can spell disastrous results. Circulating a lot of blood into the lumbar and glute area is vital, as extra circulation will greatly reduce the risk of injury. It is always wise not to do a full-range goodmorning to parallel until about the third or forth repetition on each set. Low repetitions like singles, doubles, or triples will probably cause long-term injury.
Bent Legged, Straight Back Goodmorning
Take the suspended barbell from the rack on your shoulders just behind your neck. Stand with a comfy shoulder width stance, and then bend your knees slightly. Fix your sights on a spot on the wall in front of you. That selected spot should be at about belt height.
Instead of leaning or bending forward, focus on pushing your hips backwards. As your hips move backwards on a horizontal plane the barbell’s motion will scale down a vertical plane. Slowly descend in the eccentric portion of the movement. Bend until you are angled 90 degrees then return to an upright position, by concentrating on pulling your hips forward on a horizontal plane. Concentration is key in this leg extension exercise.
Stiff Legged Good Morning
Stiff legged goodmornings should only be done light for stretching and warm-ups. Nevertheless, this variation of the leg exercise is excellent for helping to rehabilitate a pulled hamstring.
Seated Goodmorning
Seated goodmornings are good for isolating the lumbars. They do this by minimizing the use of the glutes and hamstrings. This variation is an ideal leg and thigh exercise, and will result in slim legs.
To execute a seated goodmorning, sit on a bench high enough in a way that your femurs (thigh bones) are parallel with the floor and your tibias (shin bones) are angled 90 degrees to your femurs. Bend forward looking at a spot in front of you at about belt height. Remember not to let your head droop and look down. When your abdominal area comes in contact with the top of your thighs, pause briefly then rise. If you can, lean forward and your abdominals will drop down between your thighs. Seated good mornings can be done in sets of eight to ten repetitions.
This is a good leg exercise for women and that can be practiced at home.

Half Squat - Leg Exercise


Half squats, a leg muscle exercise, are a great exercise to slim leg. It’s a good leg exercise for women whatever your training level maybe. Men or stronger women can choose to use a barbell for this leg exercise. When using barbells half squats are actually a good leg and butt exercise since you use your legs and butt to push the weight up.
Rest your back and buttocks against the wall and stand with your feet shoulder’s width apart. If you are using a barbell use a squat rack to support the weight between sets. Place a barbell across your back while using your hands and arms to help support it. Place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart with your toes pointed straight or slightly outward. This toe position is important to emphasize inner thigh development. Indeed, this leg and thigh exercise is perfect for toning those muscles.

While gently holding in your stomach, slowly slide your back downward and bend your knees breathing in as you do so, lowering your hips into a half squat. For better balance lift your arms in front of you as you bend your knees. The first few times, stop the sliding when your thighs form an angle of approximately 45º with the floor. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds. You will notice how your glutei and quadriceps (the muscle in the front of your thigh) are working. Then, exert the muscles of your legs and buttocks to go up, and slowly straighten your legs back returning to a standing position. After completing each movement, rest for about 15 seconds and then repeat the movement till you do a series of up to 5 movements.As your training in this leg extension exercise improves, you must go even lower, until you manage to hold a position with your knees at a 90º angle. You should also gradually increase the time you hold the position, until you are able to hold it for 1 whole minute and repeat it after a 30 second break until completing a series of 5 movements.If when doing this movement, or on ending this leg exercise, your knees should hurt, stop doing it and consult the physician who prescribed it.

Leg Curl - leg Exercise


The Leg Curl exercise is the most common hamstring, the muscles along the rear of your thighs, exercise you will see in the gym, though the hamstrings are actually one of the most neglected parts on the body. It is one of the best leg exercises for both men and women. It’s a good exercise to slim legs.
It is important and useful to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing this leg muscle exercise. This helps beginners to start out using the correct techniques. It also helps more experienced lifters to correct some of the little faults that have almost unnoticeably crept in over the years. To begin this leg and thigh exercise, first, select the appropriate weight for you. Lie on the Leg Curl machine comfortably, chest flat on it while placing the ankles behind

and in contact with the foot pad. The pad should be positioned about two to three inches above the heel and below your calf when you are in the prone position.Place the legs parallel to each other and hang the knees slightly off the edge of the knee pad. Grasp the handles while you rest your elbow and forearms on the pad. Then, raise the weight slowly until comfortable until your knees are fully flexed, while holding on to the hand grips and keeping your hips down against the bench. Squeeze at the top then lower the weight in a controlled fashion to the starting position. Repeat. In doing this leg extension exercise, do not use momentum to swing the weight up as this will reduce the effectiveness of the leg muscle exercise. Do not let your hips to come up off the bench as you curl up. This takes tension off the hamstrings and can place it on the lower back and glutes instead. Try having a training partner press down on your lower back while you are doing the leg exercise if you notice that you frequently lift your hips up off the bench as you tire. This pressure will keep tension on the hamstrings better. Using too much weight can force you to have to lift your glutes and this can place undue pressure on the lower back. So reduce the weight and concentrate on keeping your hips down.You can certainly try doing this leg exercise at home.

Leg Extension - leg Exercise


This leg exercise develops the Quadriceps muscle group. Get the full range of benefits of the leg extension exercise and feel the muscle being worked during the entire movement. For this leg exercise, it is better to go for isolation and squeeze the muscles hard. Leg extension exercise should not be done with heavy weights and if you have any knee problems, should not be done at all.
Sit on the seat of a leg exercise machine with back against padded back support and the inner part of your ankle firmly placed on the foot pad. Place front of your lower leg under the padded lever. Position your knee at same axis as the lever fulcrum in such a way that your knee is flexed at a 90 degree angle. Take note that if your leg is forced too far beyond this, knee damage can result early in the movement. Grasp handles or the edges of the seat for support and also to

keep your hips from lifting up as you perform this leg and butt exercise. Then move the lever forward by extending your knees until your legs are straight. This is the only leg exercise that you can lock your knees out without risking damage. After reaching the end of the motion, pause and hold briefly and slowly return the weight to a point near the starting position by bending knees. Repeat. The best part of this leg muscle exercise occurs at the contraction when your legs are straight. To gain the most out of this best leg exercise, hold the contraction at the top for a few seconds then lower the weight. To hit the outer quads (Vastus Lateralis), lean back, turn your toes out slightly and point them. Exert outward pressure as your come up. Try to rotate your legs outward at the hip joint, but don't turn your feet excessively, just about half the range of motion they will go. To hit the teardrop or inner quads (Vastus Medialis), lean over forward, curl your toes back and turn them slightly in. As you come up, exert inward pressure, making an attempt to inwardly rotate your legs at the hip joint. Keep your legs straight so that you activate of all the quad muscles. To prevent body from rising off the seat, stabilizers are sometimes used during heavy resistances. This leg and thigh exercise will surely result in slim, tone legs.

Tricep Extensions - Arms Exercise


Looking for an exercise for slim arms? Tricep extensions are a good strength exercise for arms most especially for women and seniors because it builds muscle and increases metabolism.
It is a basic combined arms exercise that enables you to use a lot of weight through a very full range of motion. You can use either a barbell or a dumbbell with this exercise for upper arms. You can either sit or lie back on a bench. If you prefer being seated, sit up near the front edge of either a chair type bench or a flat bench, feet flat on floor and even with shoulders. If you lie back, place a curl bar on the ground at the head of a bench.

Lie back in suck a way that your head is hanging off the end of the bench and your back is slightly arched.
Here’s the right way to perform this best arms exercise: For both sitting and standing tricep extension, grip the barbell about shoulder width apart with palm facing in. Keep your elbows in to get the full effect and pull the bar over raising that arm straight toward the ceiling and extend your arms until they are straight with the weight over your chest. Slowly bend raised arm at elbow lowering the weight behind your head. With an explosive motion, push the weight back over your head and extend your arms fully. Then slowly bend your arm toward the shoulder again. Pause, and then repeat the bending and straightening until you have done your desired reps and do the same with your other arm. One of the keys to tricep extensions is to cup your wrist forward. Don’t let your wrist break backward. Your upper arm should always be pointed straight up over your chest. Don’t let your upper arms swing back and forth. It is better to have a spotter you can trust and bring the weight down, under control, to the head and drive it up. Stretch your triceps fully at the bottom of the movement to maximize the results of this exercise to tone arms.Well, there you have it! Remember -- most of your arm size is triceps, not biceps, so if you want big guns, start packing on the weight with this great lift. This combined arms exercise will have you say goodbye to flabby arms!

Push Downs - Arms Exercise


Pushdowns are an isolation exercise for upper arms, in particular the triceps, while using relatively few other muscle groups. This is one of the most easy to learn tricep exercises to tone arms. Triceps pushdowns is an exercise to tighten upper arms.
For this exercise for arms, it is best to use a cable machine with a rope or a straight bar attached to an overhead pulley. To know the appropriate weight, choose a weight that you can push 12-15 times without compromising proper form. Begin this combined arms exercise by gripping the bar with your hands facing away from you and are 6-12 inches apart and about shoulder width apart with the forearms at a 90 degree angle or less to the upper.

Stand about a foot away from the cable machine. While keeping the upper arms tucked tightly in to your sides and as stationary as possible and your back straight, push the apparatus down until your arms are completely extended.Avoid the common mistake of using your upper body weight or raising the shoulders to bring down the bar. Let the weight closer to the front of the body. This way you maximize the involvement of the lateral triceps head. You keep the pectorals out of the exercise, by maintaining a more erect posture. Pause for a while then slowly bring the weight back at chin level to your starting point. Let up your upper arms angle up again then repeat the process. This best arms exercise is sure to tone those flabby arms. Try to push the bar towards the ground by dropping your shoulders, when you come to the bottom of the pushdown. This extra squeeze on the triceps increases the contraction greatly. It is important that you control the weight on the way up and bring the weight back slowly. You will have to use elastic force from the back muscles to rebound the weight back down if you do not control the weight as it comes up.This rebound reduces tricep activation. You have to slow on the way down to squeeze the triceps during the movement or you will get very little out of this combined arms exercise except perhaps a backache. So make sure to do this arm exercise in a slow and controlled manner.

Close Grip Press - Arms Exercise


The close grip press, one of the most basic exercises for arms, is just a variation on the normal bench press. A close grip bench press, also a recommended exercise for flabby arms, is the same as the free weight medium grip barbell bench press but with your arms positioned close on the bar. It may look like a small change, but moving your hands to about 18-24 inches apart on the bar completely changes the muscles worked. The close grip bench press shifts the emphasis to your triceps and to a lesser extent your shoulder’s lower chest. It’s an ideal exercise for upper arms.
How to go about with this combined arms exercise? Lay on a bench with a straight bar or an E-Z-Curl bar, the bent curl bar, with your feet position widely and firm on the floor. Like the beginning of the bench press, lift the barbell from rack with a shoulder width grip (about 12 inches apart).In a slow controlled movement, lower it to about 3 inches above your chest keeping your wrists straight and with elbows close to body, bringing your elbow toward the floor.

Pause, then press the bar back to the start position and repeat. This exercise for arms is sure to result in thinner arms.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BAR TO YOUR CHEST (this causes unneeded stress on your shoulder joints and takes the tension away from your pec muscles, which are what we want to be doing the work!). Lower the bar in a slow and controlled fashion.On the other hand, when you press the bar upward, do this in an explosive fashion. Repeat this movement for as many repetitions as you feel you can. When doing the close grip bench press, keep your elbows tucked in at your side throughout the exercise, to really hit those triceps. You'll notice the extra work on your triceps right away. It is advisable to always use a spotter when performing this arms back exercise and almost every other free weight exercise.The close grip bench press is the best exercise for arms and for building up triceps strength. Using the close grip bench press to increase triceps strength will help you increase your bench press. It is also an exercise for thinner arms. So you can use the close grip bench press in your triceps workout as well. Your triceps actually play a huge role in how much you can bench.

Concentration Curls - Arms Exercise


The main purpose of this exercise for arms is to peak your biceps, especially the outside of the biceps. This is a great finishing exercise because it’s one of the best exercise to tone arms and peaking the muscle. Since Concentration Curls is a combined arms exercise it involves a very strict movement, so use as much weight as you can handle.
That is why the name ‘Concentration Curl’ is important because you really need to concentrate on the biceps contraction and on being strict to make this exercise effective. Concentration Curls are done with dumbbells in a kneeling, standing or sitting position. From a standing position, spread your feet to about shoulder width and slightly bend your knees. Bend over slightly and grasp the weight in one hand and let your free arm rest.

Bend over and place your right elbow on the same knee. If you’ll be sitting on a bench then let your one elbow rest on the same leg. The other arm should be in between your legs and not resting against the other leg. For both standing and sitting position, use your knee as a pivot point and curl the weight up to the shoulder, as you inhale keeping upper body still and without moving the upper arm or the elbow. Keep your upper arm braced against your leg and curl the weight up fully contracting the bicep. While lifting, twist the wrist in an angular position so that your little finger ends up higher than your thumb. "Concentrate" on only flexing your bicep muscle fully at the top of the Curl, then as you exhale, lower the weight slowly back down until your arm is straight but the elbow not locked. This is when the biceps are taking the full stress of the weight. This exercise for upper arms is great for women who want to exercise to tone arms.
The weight should be curled to the shoulder, not the chest. Control the dumbbell as you curl the weight up and back down. Make sure that you do not swing the weight. It is important to use a complete range of motion on every repetition, as with all exercises to achieve the desired results of this exercise for upper and flabby arms. Stretch and contract the biceps fully each time to obtain and feel the full stress of the weight.
With this great exercise for upper arms, you can say goodbye to flabby arms!

Cable Curls - Arms Exercise


Looking for an exercise for thinner arms? Cable Curls, a combined arms exercise, is the best exercise for flabby arms.
It is a great variation to the free weight bicep curl. The primary muscles worked out for this exercise are the biceps. Cable curls are the best exercise for arms and if you want to develop the peak of your bicep. Cable Curls is an excellent exercise to tone arms and it adds strength to your arms whatever your training level maybe. Some people prefer them to barbell curls because the angled grip on their wrists allows more stress on their bicep.

For this exercise for arms you will be using a cable machine or a curl bar with a pulley at the floor and a rope or straight bar attached.For this exercise for arms you will be using a cable machine or a curl bar with a pulley at the floor and a rope or straight bar attached. To start, place your feet about shoulder width apart to give a sturdy base and grasp the bar with a shoulder width grip and arms extended down. You can choose to hold the bar on the inner angle or outer depending on which width allows you to handle more weight and is more comfortable and allows you to handle more weight.There will be a little more stress on your brachialis because of the angled position of your wrist. The brachialis is the muscle that is beneath the biceps brachi, the top bicep muscle. Keep your palms up and thumbs out. Keeping the upper arm rigid, curl the weight up to your chest to its highest point with an explosive motion contracting the biceps. During the curling motion, be sure to keep your elbows in and move your upper body back to an upright position. With close control, lower the weight back to its original position getting a complete stretch and lean slightly forward. Practice this exercise to tone arms. This exercise for upper arms will delight you with results, if done regularly and properly. To get the most out of curl bar curls it is crucial that you maintain what is considered loose form. Allow your body to move in a natural way as you lift the weight through a full range of motion. Letting your upper body to move throughout the exercise will allow you to be able to generate more force and guard against injury. Let your biceps get a full contraction at the top and a good stretch at the bottom of the movement.

Dumbbell Curls - Arms Exercise


Dumbbell curls is one of the basic and most common exercise for arms. The primary muscles worked during dumbbell curls are the biceps. Secondary are the forearms, traps, and shoulders. Dumbbell curls is a great exercise for flabby arms. It is primarily an exercise to tone arms. You can do this either standing or sitting down.
The only equipment you’ll be needing is dumbbells and if you are sitting down, a ball to sit down on. This is performed by hold the dumbbells by your side with your palms facing inward. If you are doing it standing up, picking the barbells up off the floor, make sure you use your legs to help lift the weight.Stand with feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a sturdy base. If you are sitting down, sit on a big ball, with your back and head straight, and palms facing forward.

Seated or standing curl the weight up while keeping your elbows steady at your waist. "As you curl up your palms should begin to face your chest as you lift the weight. After fully contracting the bicep, lower the dumbbell in a reverse manner rotating your hand back to its original position while keeping control.You can also do the curls alternate. This isolates the biceps of each arm making it a good exercise for thinner arms. In this variation of a Dumbbell Curl, you curl the dumbbells alternately, first one arm and then the other, it gives you a better sense of isolation, allowing you to concentrate your energy on one arm at a time. Keep alternate curling until you have completed the necessary repetitions for both arms. To get the best possible range of motion, fully extend and contract the arm.Allow yourself to move naturally throughout this combined arms exercise. Your upper body should be leaning slightly forward when you start. As you curl, your back moves to an upright position. You will be limiting the amount of weight you can use if you try to keep your back totally still while curling. Take note that ultra strict form will actually leave you more susceptible to injury because the movement is not natural. But you should always maintain control over the weight, especially as you lower the dumbbells to their starting position. It is very important that you fully stretch and contract the bicep every time. Do not curl the dumbbell past the point where tension leaves the biceps.
Dumbbell curls are a great exercise for the upper arms. Dumbbells allow you to supinate your wrist bringing into play the rotational aspect of the biceps, unlike using a bar. Doing this combined arms exercise regularly will result in slim arms, for it is surely an exercise to tone arms.

Straight Bar Curls - Arms Exercise


A straight bar is like a barbell but only shorter. Straight Bar curls are a combined arms exercise.
It is a mass-builder and a great exercise for the upper arms in particular the biceps. It is one of the best exercises to tone arms and for stimulating strength and development. Straight bar curls work your entire biceps structure as well as your forearms, traps and shoulders that is why it is a good exercise for flabby arms. Start by standing with your feet apart about shoulder width apart to give a sturdy base. Space your hands shoulder width and hold the bar in front of you in the underhand position, palms facing up.

If you are lifting the bar up from the ground, make sure to bend at the knees and stand up with the weight. Without squatting down or moving your torso, slowly bring the bar up to your chest, contracting the biceps.You may or may not touch your chest with the bar but it is better to stop a few inches short of your chest to keep continuous tension in your biceps. If you are using a rack for this exercise for flabby arms, lift the bar and take a step back and hold it with your arms straight and perpendicular to the ground. Without moving your elbow, curl the weight up to your chest. Keep it locked to your sides. Repeat this movement a couple of times maintaining a slow controlled movement. Reverse curls are also a great variation to this combined arms exercise. You do the same movement with an overhand grip instead.
This best exercise for arms, if done regularly, will result in thinner, toned arms. To get the most out of straight bar curls it is important to have what is called loose form. This does not mean be sloppy or out of control. Allow your body to move in a natural way as you lift the weight through the range of motion. If you allow your upper body to move throughout the exercise, you will be able to generate more force and guard against injury. So be sure to perform a full range of motion to get the most out of this exercise for arms.

Chin-Ups - Back Exercise


Chin-ups are an advanced strength-training exercise wherein you hang using your arms from a horizontal bar by pulling yourself up vertically until your chin reaches the bar.
It is considered as both a back muscle exercise and a bodybuilding workout because you could manipulate any back muscle to emphasize while strengthening your back area. The traditional chin-ups upper back exercises are done by grabbing the chin-up bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. If you perform back exercise at home, you could find an improvised bar such as rafters, eaves, patio beams, tree branches, clothesline bar or any sturdy overhead that can hold your weight and not hurt your back while executing this exercise.

While hanging from the bar, bend your legs and straighten your arms giving your back area a worthy stretch. Hold this position for at least two seconds and slightly arch your back. Then, pull your bodyweight up to the bar until your chin reaches or over the bar. To maximize the muscle contraction from this chin-ups exercise, hold this hanging position for a second. Gently lower yourself to the starting position and make at least five repetitions of this low back exercise.Chin ups are primarily used as back muscle exercise for muscles such as the teres major and latissimus dorsi (the v-shaped muscle in the back area also known as lats). It also works on your biceps and deltoids.Chin ups are considered as one of the best back exercises, in line with pushups. Although these two exercises both target the upper body, they are completely opposites: A pushup is a lower back exercise, while the chin up is an upper back exercise. Even so, chin ups and pushups complement each other. While pushups focus on the shoulders, chest and triceps, chin-ups emphasizes on the back area and biceps. When performing this kind of upper back exercise, you lift your entire bodyweight. For this reason, the result of this back Bodybuilding exercise will depend on the position you execute. Chin ups could help in improving both strength and endurance.Chin-ups as an upper back exercise will promote strength. Perform as much chin-up exercise as you can. After reaching at least twelve chin-ups, you may increase resistance by adding up to 10 lbs of waist or ankle weights and doing one-arm assisted chin-ups. This variation of chin ups is done by hanging on the bar with one hand while the other is assisting your hanging wrists. This shoulder and back exercise improves your resistance and works as a chest building exercise as well as a back muscle exercise.As an upper back exercise for endurance, perform slower chin-ups by hanging as long as possible. When your arms are getting tired, simply shake one arm while the other hand still hangs and repeat this step to the other one. Then, perform another slow chin-up. Work on as many repetitions of this shoulder and back exercise as you can.It is important that you execute warm-ups before performing any back Bodybuilding exercise to prevent possible injuries.

Deadlift - Back Exercise


The Deadlift is a weight lifting back exercise when a person lifts a barbell off the platform floor from a steady bent-over position. It is considered as the king of power-lifting disciplines because it moves almost every muscle, particularly emphasizing on your entire back area, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gluteus maximus.
It works as a back muscle exercise while the other muscles control the body’s stability. This exercise targets your thighs, hips, buttocks, latissimus dorsi, forearms, and trapezius. It is the best back exercise since it could be executed as a lower back exercise, middle back workout and upper back exercise. Some people say that deadlifts are an extinct back dumbbell exercise. It is purely because only professional weight lifters know how to perform this back bodybuilding exercise properly.

There are several kinds of deadlift exercises. However, the two general styles of deadlifting as a backmuscle exercise are – conventional deadlift and sumo deadlift. Although there are rules that apply to both, there is no such thing as “the right style of deadlift”. Performing this kind of weight lifting back exercise depends on which is more comfortable to your biomechanics. Factors such as bodyweight, limb and torso length, flexibility and strength are the reasons why one could perform better with one style than the other.Conventional deadlift workouts are done with the feet close together while your hands are placed outside the thighs. This kind of deadlifting is best for people with stronger backs who are up to a lower back stretch exercise. It works on the legs and considered as an effective lower back exercise. For this reason, it is considered as the best lower back exercise in relieving stress from the back muscles.The conventional dead lift is started by pressing your legs into the platform floor while pulling your shoulders and head upwards and back simultaneously. It begins with the bar over your toe knuckles. In this kind of deadlift, the start is usually the easiest step of the lift. Sumo deadlift exercises are performed with feet widely apart while your hands are placed inside the thighs.This kind of deadlifting exercise is suited for people with strong legs and excellent flexibility. It strengthens the gluteus, hips and back area. It is one of the best back exercises for weightlifters.Unlike the conventional dead lift, the sumo deadlift begins with the most complicated step of the lift because while pressing your legs into the platform floor, you should maintain an upright posture as you start with the bar up against your shins.Both of these weight lifting back exercise are done with extra caution in the back area. Incorrect postures are the common mistakes during intense back dumbbell exercises such as deadlift.To prevent possible injuries when performing this weight lifting back exercise, remember to have a spotter assisting you in the workout, especially when lifting massive weights.

Bent over Row - Back Exercise


Bent over rows are a back exercise workout, which involves a bent-over position wherein you lift bars or dumbbells in a rowing motion. This weight lifting back exercise is a shoulder and back exercise that improves definition and strength of the entire back area.
The dumbbells and bars work in adding resistance to the muscle contractions occurred in rowing. This kind of lower and upper back stretching exercise benefits anyone who wishes to have a stronger back. Since people with back problems have limited choices of upper, middle and lower back exercises, bent over rows may be your solution in preventing discomfort and pain. It is also considered the best back exercise for people with poor posture and slouched shoulders since it can improve the core muscles of the back area.

The bent over row works the lower, middle and upper back including the rhomboids, trapezius (traps), biceps, teres major, erector spinae (or lower back), abdominals and shoulder blades.However, bent over rows are particularly known for emphasizing on your latissimus dorsi, also known as lats. This v-shaped lats run from the upper back near the armpit down to the lower back. Known as the largest muscle in the upper body, the lats are built up by performing a weight lifting back exercise enabling you to achieve an hourglass figure.Bent over rows are done by standing with knees and feet hip-width apart. In stabilizing your lower back as well as keeping your back straight and strong, keep your stomach pulled in. Maintain your head in line with your spine while bringing your upper body forward until it becomes parallel to the floor. Your palms could either face each other or towards your body, with a choice of weights such as dumbbells or bars in each hand.Keep your elbows beside your body as you pull the weights up until your shoulder blades are pulled back. Hold this position for at least two seconds and slowly lower your back to the starting position. Refrain from snapping your elbows when lowering you back.Repeat this back muscle exercise for twelve to fifteen repetitions. Take a 1-minute break before performing another set of bent over rows.If you are having trouble keeping a correct position, perform this back workout with your butt pressed against a wall. As you keep it steady in one spot, it will help you refrain from standing up during the exercise.When you experience chronic back pain during or after performing bent over rows, visit a physician. Bent over rows is most likely not the best back exercise for you. A physician could help in providing you with a rehabilitative exercise regime and back stretching exercise that will help in strengthening you weak back area.

Dips - Chest Exercise


Dips are one of the most traditional and best chest exercise invented. It is an exercise used in building the triceps and chest and works as an upper chest exercise in promoting flexibility.
Although it can also work on your triceps, deltoids and shoulders, dips are considered as a more complex lower chest exercise. Although originated as a man chest exercise due to the muscle exertion involved in this exercise, it is also recommended as a chest exercise for woman. Usually, dips are performed on any apparatus similar to two parallel bars, which are shoulder-width and at least three feet high. Dip bars are normal part of the chest exercise equipments found in gyms. These parallel bars or dip stations can be v-shaped or parallel.

The standard dip equipment should be just outside the shoulder width. However, it can easily be done as a chest exercise at home by finding an alternative apparatus similar to those found in gyms. Since dips function by stretching the chest, shoulders and triceps to the maximum, it is an effective chest building exercise. The development of your muscles will depend entirely on the body position you choose to execute while performing dips. If you lean forward, it will emphasize on your chest, triceps and shoulders. For a chest muscle exercise, the position of your hands should be slightly wider than the width of your shoulders.It is known that the best chest exercise makes you lift your entire body weight. This is what dip exercises particularly does. For this reason, the chests are defined throughout the exercise. Dips are done by gripping the bars making your palms facing each other. As you lean your torso forward, bend your knees and straighten your arms. While slowly bending your arms, lower your body as you let your elbows flare out into a 90-degree angle. Your body should be lowered until your shoulder joints are below the joints of your elbows. Hold this position for at least two seconds and slowly push yourself straight up with both control and power. Do at least five repetitions of this chest muscle exercise.In chest building exercises such as dips, your own body weight is used as resistance. If your body has adjusted, you can perform ten or more full-ranged dips to work as an inner chest exercise. You may increase the resistance by adding weight by turning the dips into a dumbbell chest exercise. Dip belt, rope, chain or weight plate may be used as additional weight.However, it is important to note that when adding accessories, always increase in the smallest weight increments possible. Refrain from pushing yourself from adding excessive weight that the body cannot handle.

Push-ups - Chest Exercise


Pushups are the most traditional chest exercise. It can be performed by both men and women, even without going to the gym. It can be executed as a chest exercise at home, at work, or anywhere you feel like it.
This kind of exercise requires strength from your upper chest, lower chest, triceps and shoulders. For this reason, you need to prepare your upper body by performing other chest building exercises.Some workouts you should focus on are dumbbell chest workouts, shoulder and chest presses, triceps dips and other inner chest exercises. Yet, the best chest exercise that will prepare you in doing pushups are by just doing push ups.For beginners, it is best to start with incline push ups to help your body adjust to this upper chest

exercise. To perform this, find any sturdy object such as a wall or a tree. Face your choice of object and stand at least two feet in front it with your feet slightly apart. Extend your arms and press it against the object. As you keep your spine straight, your neck and head should always be in line with it. Then, inhale freely while slowly lowering your body to the object. Hold this position at least two seconds and exhale while slowly pushing away. Do three sets of 10 reps of this chest muscle exercise.If you find incline push ups to be of no challenge, you may switch to either military push ups or modified push ups. The difference between these two kinds of push ups lies in one’s exercise tolerance. If you are unable to pull yourself up, modified push ups are perfect for you. It is performed by getting down on the mattress with your knees slightly bent and hands pressed against the floor. As you inhale, lower you chest at least three inches to the floor. As you exhale, straighten your arms to support the entire upper body and return to the starting position. For an effective chest exercise, do at least three sets of 10 reps. The most famous type of this chest exercise is the military push-ups. It is done lying facedown on the floor. Raise your body using your hands and toes while contracting abdominal muscles. As you inhale, lower you body by bending your elbows within two to three inches to the floor. Then, exhale while pushing your body back to the starting position. Because not any one could instantly perform a military push up, it is considered a man chest exercise.Complex push-ups such as decline push-ups, one-leg push-ups, modified one-arm push ups and the triangle push-ups are performed by those who are able to execute the simpler chest building exercises comfortably. These kinds of push-ups are perfect for those searching for a challenging chest muscle exercise.

Pullover - Chest Exercise


In essence, a pullover is a chest building exercise also used for training muscles of the back. A pullover is a superb lift for developing strength and mass specifically in the upper back and chest. As long as you keep the emphasis of the weight on the upper back and chest and do not let it move to the shoulders and rotator cuffs, things will go that way.
Many bodybuilders use this upper chest exercise as an accessory lift, any more than not going heavy enough with it. When doing this dumbbell chest exercise, be sure to have a good spotter when going heavy as nobody wants to drop a huge dumbbell on his or her head. The straighter you keep your arms, the more a pullover works the upper back. Plus the more you bend the arms, the more this chest muscle exercise works the upper and inner chest.

Begin by choosing a heavier dumbbell and lie face up on a step or bench. Remember to first suspend the dumbbell in your grip straight up overhead. Using control and maintaining back contact with the bench, slowly lower the weight behind your head in a semicircular motion, descending as low as you can without pain. Squeeze your back to pull the weight back up to starting position. Remember to keep your elbows in when performing such dumbbell chest exercise.
A more challenging variation for this chest building exercise is the use of pullovers with the tube and dumbbells. Start by attaching tube to a sturdy object near the floor, and then position the step or bench in front of the tube.
Intertwine the tube around a medium dumbbell and maintain a grasp of the weight as you get into position. Then gently lower the weight behind you, keeping the elbows bent. Descend as far as your flexibility allows and contract the back to pull the weight back up.
Be very careful with this move: if you find the tube sags at the bottom of the movement, you can turn the dumbbell, wrapping more of the tubing around it.
It should be of note that only those adept at dumbbell pullovers should add any type of tubing to this exercise. Do not opt for reaching back behind you to pick up the weight; simply remove the tube and do it with the dumbbell or skip the move altogether.
This chest exercise can be for the man or woman alike.

Dumbbell Fly - Chest Exercise


This chest muscle exercise is executed by bringing outspread arms holding weights together above the chest while lying face up on a bench. Aside from working out the pectorals, the dumbbell fly trains the triceps and shoulders.
To begin this chest building exercise, do so by lying on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand.Keep the dumbbells close to your chest and lift these weights over your chest by extending your arms. Sustain a slight bend in your elbows while keeping your hips and shoulders flat on the bench and your feet on the floor.After doing so, lower the dumbbells to the sides of your body in an arc-like motion. At the lowest point of the range of motion, your bent elbows should be on a horizontal plane even with the bench.

At the lowest point of the range of motion, your bent elbows should be on a horizontal plane even with the bench. Slowly lift the weights back up over your chest in an arc. The bend in your elbows should be maintained throughout the exercise.
In all, chest exercises are wisely known to help give a man a nice physique, but training the chest is a big help for women, as chest exercise for women lifts sagging chests and breasts.
Both genders nevertheless use chest muscles for so many banal tasks, whether it's pushing a lawn mower, baby carriage, or grocery cart, strong chests help us perform these tasks. Athletes also make relentless use of chest muscles.
However, actions like driving or working at a computer all day keep chest muscles activated at a low level. For one, someone who sits at a computer eight hours a day is at the fore of negative effects from having continually engaged pectorals.
For women, chest exercises can help to lift a sagging chest when done in balance. In the process, this type of exercises can strengthen the muscles that help lift the breast tissue. This especially holds true for someone who's obese, losing weight, or has just had a baby.
Getting the chest in shape lifts the chest, making it appear that you have a bigger chest. In comparison, it's a healthier look and it is perceived as better posture.
Women will not build bulk with these upper chest exercises as only 10% of women actually gain significant muscle mass doing chest exercises.

Incline Press - Chest Exercise


If ever you want to gain pecs like that of a Greek god, then you should opt for this best chest exercise – the incline presses. This is the best chest exercise to develop the upper portion of the pectoral muscles, developing the mass and strength of the pectoral muscles and front deltoids. This upper chest exercise will have you looking like the celebrity action stars.
Other muscles targeted by this chest muscle exercise are the deltoids and the triceps. In any case, the incline should be a must-have in every chest muscle exercise.Incline presses are a very renowned form of exercise in bodybuilding cliques, for an aesthetically acclaimed physique is one possessing a deep, thickly muscled chest. Fortunately, this region of the body responds rather quickly to regular training. When fully trained, this portion imparts the look of

power and muscular impressiveness to the whole physique. Here are some tips for doing this chest exercise: Elbows must not go back towards their head and away from their bodies. This way of executing inclines concentrates undue stress on the entire shoulder area. Another common flaw lifters practice when they incline is they raise their buttocks off the bench. This defeats the purpose of doing an incline press. Arms should be in a 45-degree angle tucked to the sides, to achieve proper arm movement and technique. Rather than stressing the shoulder joint, this technique places more emphasis on the pecs and triceps muscles.
Begin the upper chest exercise by leaning back on an incline bench at about 30 to 45 degrees. Your feet must be planted flat on the floor to impart yourself a good sturdy base. Lie supine flatly against the bench, but arch your back slightly during this lift. Take a good grip of the bar with a medium-wide clutch. Once the bar is lifted off the rack, do not start down immediately with it. Raise the load off the rack and hold it above your head arms locked.
Slowly start down with the weight, and then touch the muscles directly underneath the point where the clavicles converge. Pause for a brief interval – doing so prevents you from bouncing the weight off your chest. Exhaling on the way up, press it back up to the top position.
In this chest building exercise, the more vertical your arms are, the better the balance will be struck. To involve your triceps more, the grip should be narrower. A wider grip works out the outer area of the chest more.

Bench Press - Chest Exercise


Along with the deadlift and squat, the bench press, an open-chained form of free-weightlifting, forms the triumvirate of power lifting events. The powerlifting aspect of this chest exercise however concentrates on achieving a single very heavy repetition, resulting in the pectorals having a greatly reduced role.
In November 2004, Gene Rychlak set the all-time record for the heaviest bench press at 456 kg (1005 lb). On February 18, 2006, Scot Mendelson broke the record by pressing 1,008 pounds on his first attempt at the Fit Expo at the 2006 Iron Man Bodybuilding contest. Otherwise, this physical, chest building exercise is used in bodybuilding as a chest and triceps exercise requiring a great deal of stabilizers.

In this chest building exercise, the weightlifter lies on his/her back on a bench, raising and lowering the bar directly above the chest. This is the best chest exercise intended for the development of the chest, or pectoral muscles, anterior deltoids, serratus anterior, but a variation exists for the triceps.
As a chest muscle exercise, the bench press is properly performed while lying on your back with your shoulder blades pinched together on a specially designed bench. A weighted barbell is suspended on a rack over your chest.
Here’s how to perform this dumbbell chest exercise. Lie supine, pull abs in tight and flatten lower back to the bench. Begin by lifting the bar/weights directly over chest, elbows at 90-degree angles. Press your arms straight without locking, then return to starting position.
Perform one to three sets of 12-16 repetitions, with a 20-30 second rest interval between sets. Use a spotter if you are lifting heavy weights in this upper chest exercise.
This chest muscle exercise also works the arms and shoulders. Other alternatives on this exercise can be performed on an incline, on a decline, or on a stabilizer ball. Using the incline shifts some of the stress from the pectorals to the anterior deltoids and gives a greater emphasis on the "upper" pectorals, whereas utilizing the decline is more demanding for the "lower" pectorals.
The barbell bench press is a better exercise for inner chest strength, while the dumbbell bench press builds up the smaller muscles and promotes bulking.
When not used for athletic or physical gains, the bench press has also been performed as a joke, a hazing challenge or as a demonstration. It can also be done as chest exercise at home.

Military Press - Shoulders Exercise


Soldier, commence pressing position!
Also known as the shoulder press, the military press is a great basic shoulder strengthening exercise that will not only sculpt your shoulders, but also strengthen important core muscles.
The military press traces its origins to the early history of weightlifting. A version of the exercise contested in the Olympics well until 1972. This prototype is described as a "classical" lift that has evolved over time into numerous variations of what is now known as the shoulder press.Today the military press involves equipment like dumbbells, barbell, Smith machine or shoulder press machine. This is a shoulder muscle exercise that also involves the trapezius and the triceps.Apart from developing the shoulders and arms, the primary benefit of this weight lifting shoulderexercise is strengthening postural stabilizer muscles as well as those of the

entire shoulder girdle. This shoulder strengthening exercise has also been found to be ideal for stimulating bone growth in women diagnosed with osteoporosis.It is also ideal for elderly individuals trying to maintain functional strength,as well as for athletes wanting toincrease functionaland sport-specific strength.
But then, the military press is rarely performed in local gyms. Instead it is a common sight to see the seated shoulder press, performed with a barbell either in front or behind the neck.
Many claim the seated position functions as back support and will reduce the risk of injury. In any case, lifters were able to increase their poundage.
To perform this shoulder muscle exercise or military press, you will need a barbell in a squat rack or power cage. Do not immediately go for the 45-pound barbell; see if there is any lighter bar that you can use.
Clutch the bar and pull yourself under it so that the bar is resting on the anterior deltoid. Select a grip that is just outside of shoulder width. Your hands must not be touching the shoulders at the start position, elbows high and in front of you. Tighten your abs to circumvent arching of the back. This shoulder and back exercise will work those muscles out they way they should be.
With all your might, press the bar straight up. Continue its upward movement once the bar has cleared forehead level. Proceed with this movement until the arms are fully extended.
A safer alternative for the military press, is keeping the weights in front of your head. Execute presses up and down from the nose or chin level, going no lower than the collarbone.
Never forget to sit straight against a back support, and keep the natural curve in your spine, with upper back and glutes glued to the chair.
The military press could arguably be the best shoulder exercise there is. Just make sure to practice care and regularity in doing this Bodybuilding shoulder exercise.

Behind The Neck Press - Shoulders Exercise


From some perspective, well-formed shoulders accentuate your biceps and arms, making them appear more defined and large. The way to get such attractive shoulders is to do shoulder strengthening exercises.
Behind The Neck Press is a commendable shoulder exercise, in fact, possibly the best shoulder exercise. Aside from training shoulder (deltoid) muscles, this exercise trains the neck (traps). It is performed back just above the trap muscle. Other muscles worked are the triceps. This Bodybuilding shoulder exercise is usually executed by placing a loaded barbell onto your upper back, but if you prefer, you can lift weights to the front. With all due credit to its benefits, behind the neck press places the shoulder joint in a compromising situation, especially for beginners.

The joints are readily shoved to the dislocation position, the range of motion putting gratuitous stress on the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulders.Trainees have experienced injuries from this behind-the-neck motion.Stick with dips and bench presses for shoulder strengthening exercises. With the use of either dumbbells or a barbell, the press behind the neck can be performed in spite of, either by standing or sitting. The method in preference though is sitting with a barbell.
Keeping your back straight and flexed, this shoulder muscle exercise is first done by sitting down on a bench equipped with back support and special supports. The barbell rests on a rack behind your neck.
Press your back firmly against the padding for support, then clutch the barbell evenly with hands spaced a little more than shoulder width apart. Your feet are both planted firmly on the floor. Lift the weight off the rack, and then press the bar directly over your head in a vertical line.
After doing so, lower the bar behind your head slowly to just below the ears. Without bounding the weight, push the bar back up. Be reminded that the back must be kept straight and no arching is allowed.
Do fluent, slow, and controlled repetitions of this movement. By doing this weight lifting shoulder exercise, your shoulder muscles are made stronger.
To do this shoulder strengthening exercise in standing position, place a barbell on your upper back. Standing with your feet spaced about shoulder width apart and keeping hands about 4 - 6 inches wider than shoulder width, press bar overhead to arm's length. Lower the weight slowly back down to your shoulders. Remember to keep your legs straight at all times.

Upright Rows - Shoulder Exercise




The Upright Row exercise is performed in order to develop the shoulders and traps. It is basically a weight lifting shoulder exercise performed while standing, holding a weight hanging down in the hands and lifting it straight up to the collarbone. It is an exercise for the chest shoulder.
Furthermore, upright rows are reputed for focusing on both the traps and shoulders. This shoulder exercise utilizes dumbbells, pulling these weights up to your chest, keeping it close to your body, leading with your elbows. As a result, not only the shoulders are worked but also the trapezius and the biceps.Aside from dumbbells, barbell, Smith machine or cable machine can be employed. By and large, these shoulder strengthening exercises work the middle head of the deltoid muscle.

Yet for all its benefits, the upright row is one of the most harmful ever. The prospective bodybuilder must contend with the positionthe arms must be in this shoulder muscle exercise to perform the movement.Such position is termed "internal rotation”, in which you hold your arms straight out to the sides with your palms down. Then you rotate your hands forward as if you were pouring out a glass of wine in each. To execute the upright row, the arms are bent at the elbow then internally rotated.
The problem arises in internal rotation when you raise the arms up and add resistance in that position. Every time you raise the weight, impingement occurs at a small tendon in your shoulder. These circumstances eventually stake claims to injury caused by this Bodybuilding shoulder exercise.
Many claim that the injury may cause the tendon to gradually become worn down and damaged over time. Improper execution can lead to long-term shoulder pain and injury. Novice bodybuilders should avoid this exercise completely.
In any case, the shoulders could not get any more defined than doing this at least. The main muscles worked in this strengthening exercise are the shoulders, but biceps and traps are also worked out nevertheless.
This compound mechanics-type exercise is begun by standing with your feet approximately shoulder width apart. Held about 10 inches apart from ach other, the dumbbells must be hanging against your upper thighs. Pull dumbbells straight upward until nearly at par with your chin. Keep the elbows jutting up and out while maintaining bodily proximity to the weights. Gently return to the starting position and finish repetitions. Such dumbbell shoulder exercise will tone and strengthen your shoulder muscles.

Dumbbell Front Raise - Shoulders Exercise


Doing shoulder exercises involve three different muscle groups - side deltoids, rear deltoids and the front deltoids. Together they compose the shoulder muscle framework.
All dumbbell shoulder exercise routines cover front raises, since the anterior heads make up the front third of your deltoids. This section of the deltoids allows you to move your arms upward and forward. At any rate, the size of the shoulders is noticeable when the body is fully swathed in form-fitting clothes.To those ends, shoulder muscle exercises will not only make more masculine aesthetics but also plays an important aspect of the upper body weight training regime.

Most bodybuilding enthusiasts are attracted to the rewarding shoulder strengthening exercise of building deltoids because of its range of motion. Honing the shoulder muscles to an ideal requires a variety of bodybuilding shoulder exercises as the fibers of the shoulder angle in different directions.
One such best shoulder exercise is the front dumbbell raise, which isolates the deltoid muscles. A critical principle for this weight lifting shoulder exercise is to keep a slight flexion at the elbow while lifting the weight just above shoulder level.
Stand with a dumbbell in the grasp of each hand, palms facing backward. Your feet should be planted about shoulder width apart. Simulate a wide arc by lifting the weight in your left hand in front of you until it is slightly higher than shoulder height. You must pause at the top of the range of motion - when you’ve reached shoulder height - and with a smooth, restrained motion, lower the dumbbell while simultaneously lifting the weight in your right hand, so that both arms are in motion at the same time.
In order not to defeat the purpose of this shoulder exercise, you must not swing or lean backwards. This shoulder strengthening exercise can also be performed with two dumbbells at the same time or a barbell.
Else, front raises can be performed with cable attachments. Hold with one hand the cable attachment attached to the low pulley. With face away from the pulley, put your arm straight down. Keep body straight and elbow nearly locked while raising your arm up in front of your body. Never swing in so doing and go up to about eye level, and then slowly return to the commencing position. Complete the repetitions then switch arms

Dumbbell Lateral Raise - Shoulders Exercise


Bodybuilding exercise for the shoulders are a key to widening the shoulders. Increasing the shoulders’ width is the most crucial stepping stone to make them appear broader. In this aim, prospective bodybuilders may want to selectively target the medial deltoid head. When the cross-sectional portion of the side deltoids is made larger, the shoulders will appear wider and rounder.
Regardless, the extent of such hopes is qualified on one’s genetic endowment. For one, the genetic makeup concerning clavicle width plays the most important role in how wide the shoulder ultimately can become. Many athletes prolific in swimming for example, have been possessing clavicles on the upper end on the genetic spectrum for width. Even if they did not invest on physical workout on deltoid muscles, having such a wide skeletal framework made what size sourced to their gene pool

seem that much more impressive. Regardless of the genetic foundation one is dealt with, anyone’s side delts have muscle masses waiting to be tapped. In so doing, one can increase the shoulder width to a meaningful extent. By far, the best shoulder exercise known to isolate the medial heads is the side raise, also known as the dumbbell lateral raise. This Bodybuilding shoulder exercise flexes and tones the shoulder muscles the right way.
The medium of usual preference in this weight lifting shoulder exercise is a plain old pair of iron dumbbells. Otherwise in these times, raises can be performed with a cable attachment or specialized machines. Clearly, in spite of all the innovations, barbells and dumbbells are here to stay.
The additional effort and coordination it takes to balance free weights stimulates the muscles to work harder. With that, muscle fibers are coerced to emerge. In the face of the stress, the muscle fibers involved have no choice but to become larger and stronger. In any case, this shoulder rehab exercise works the medial portion of the shoulders.
To do this dumbbell shoulder exercise, have your knees slightly flexed. Begin by standing with your feet together. Secure a dumbbell in each hand, then slowly and simultaneously lift both arms towards shoulder height, eventually forming a T shape.
You must pause at the top of the range of motion, then slowly revert to the starting position stopping just short of the arms touching the hips. If you want a more tricky shoulder exercise, pause for two to three seconds at the top of the range of motion. You are reminded not to swing the weight or come up on toes to move the weight. The elbows should do the leading, not the hands.
The grip of the hand should be arranged in a way that the hand position should have the pinky finger higher than the thumb. Elbows should not be above par the shoulder level with the hands being slightly lower than the elbows.
No one is designated to use taxing weights, as weights for this shoulder strengthening exercise should be light.