Jan
4
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuiders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at the flat bench press using a barbell.
MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major
STARTING POSITION
Assume a supine position on a bench.
Grasp the bar with a closed, pronated grip.
Grip slightly wider than shoulder width.
Place the bar over the chest with the elbows fully extended.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
Lower the bar to touch the chest at nipple level.
Keep the wrists rigid directly above the elbows.
UPWARD MOVEMENT
Push the bar upward until the elbows are fully extended.
Keep the wrists rigid directly above the elbows.
Do not arch back or raise chest to meet the bar.
Repeat or finish set.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Dec
25
Exercise The Right Way - The Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
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Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuiders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at the incline dumbbell bench press.
MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major
STARTING POSITION
Grasp two dumbbells using a closed, pronated grip.
Assume a supine position on a bench.
Press the dumbbells to an extended elbow, parallel arm position above the face.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
Lower the dumbbells together towards the chest and aligned with the nipples.
Keep the wrists rigid directly above the elbows.
UPWARD MOVEMENT
Push the dumbbells upward until the elbows are fully extended.
Keep the wrists rigid directly above the elbows.
Do not arch back or raise chest to meet the bar.
Repeat or finish set.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Dec
21
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at the back squat.
MUSCLES TARGETED: gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris
STARTING POSITION
Grasp the bar with a closed pronated grip.
Step under the bar and position the feet parallel to each other.
Place the bar in a balanced position on the upper back and shoulders.
Hold the chest up and out.
Pull the scapulae toward each other.
Tilt the head slightly up.
Extend the knees and hips to lift the bar.
Take one or two steps.
Place the feet shoulder width apart, even with each other with the toes pointed slightly outward.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
Allow the hips and knees to slowly flex.
Maintain a flat back, high elbows, with the chest up and out.
Keep the heels on the floor with the knees aligned over the feet.
Keep flexing the hips and knees until the thighs are parallel to the floor.
UPWARD MOVEMENT
Extend the hips and knees at the same rate.
Maintain a flat back, high elbows, with the chest up and out.
Keep the heels on the floor with the knees aligned over the feet.
Keep extending the hips and knees to return to the starting position.
Repeat or finish set.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Dec
20
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at the leg extension.
MUSCLES TARGETED: vastis lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris
STARTING POSITION
Sit in the machine and press the back firmly against the back pad.
Place the ankles behind and in contact with the foot pad.
Place the legs parallel to each other.
Grasp the handles.
UPWARD MOVEMENT
Raise the pad by fully extending the knees.
Keep the torso erect and firmly pressed against the back pad.
Do not lift the buttocks from the seat.
Do not lock out the knees.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
Allow the knees to slowly flex back to the starting position.
Keep the torso erect and firmly pressed against the back pad.
Repeat or finish set.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Dec
17
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at One-Arm Dumbbell Rows.
MUSCLES TARGETED: latissimus dorsi, trapezius (mid), biceps brachialis
STARTING POSITION
Grasp a dumbbell with an overhand grip and palm facing body.
Rest your opposite knee on a flat bench.
The supporting leg should be slightly flexed with the foot flat on the floor.
The back should remain straight, parallel to the floor.
The dumbbell should be held at arm’s length.
EXERCISE TECHNIQUE
Pull the dumbbell upward in a straight line with the elbow kept close to the body.
Lower the dumbbell slowly to the starting position.
Repeat this movement until the intended number of repetitions have been completed.
Repeat on the other side.
OTHER EXERCISES WORTH CONSIDERING
Other exercises that tackle these muscles include Bent-Over Barbell Rows (mid trapezius), Chin-Ups (upper trapezius) and Lat Pull-Downs Behind the Neck (upper trapezius).
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Dec
14
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuiders’ training regimes.
It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.
In this article we’ll take a close look at the hammer curl using dumbbells.
MUSCLES TARGETED: brachialis, biceps brachii, brachioradialis
PREPARATION
Grasp two dumbbells using a closed grip.
STARTING POSITION
Stand erect with the feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly flexed.
Place the dumbbells beside the thighs with the elbows fully extended.
Palms should be facing the outer thighs.
Position the upper arms against the sides of the torso.
UPWARD MOVEMENT
Flex the elbow of one arm until the dumbbell is within a few inches of the front deltoid.
Keep the torso erect and the upper arm stationary.
Keep the dumbbell in neutral grip position.
Keep all movements smooth.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
Allow the elbow to slowly extend to the starting position.
Keep dumbbell in neutral grip position.
Keep the torso and knees in the same position.
Repeat the same movements with the other arm.
Repeat or finish set.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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