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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 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 deadlift.

MUSCLES TARGETED: gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, semitendinosis, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris

STARTING POSITION

Stand with feet flat and placed slightly less than shoulder width with toes pointed slightly outward.
Squat down with hips lower than shoulders and grasp the bar with a closed, alternated grip.
Place hands on bar slightly wider than shoulder width apart, outside knees and with elbows fully extended.
Place bar roughly 1 inch in front of shins and over balls of feet.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Lift bar off floor by extending hips and knees.
Maintain a flat back and keep hips ahead of shoulders.
Keep elbows fully extended.
Keep bar as close to shins as possible.
When bar passes knees move the hips forward.
Keep body erect at point of full knee and hip extension.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the hips and knees to flex to slowly lower the bar to the floor.
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.

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 vertical chest press.

MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major

STARTING POSITION

Sit down and lean back.
Grasp the handles with a closed, pronated grip.
Align handles with the nipples.
Push the handles away from the chest to a fully extended elbow position.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.

BACKWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the handles to slowly move backward until level with the chest.

FORWARD MOVEMENT

Push the handles away from the chest to the starting position.
Do not arch back or lock elbows.
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.

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 machine shoulder press.

MUSCLES TARGETED: anterior deltoid, medial deltoid

STARTING POSITION

Sit down and lean back to assume good contact.
Grasp the handles with a closed pronated grip.
Align handles with the top of the shoulders.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Push the handles upwards until the elbows are fully extended.
Do not arch the lower back or lock the elbows.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the elbows to slowly flex to lower the handles 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.

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 triceps pushdown.

MUSCLES TARGETED: triceps brachii

STARTING POSITION

Grasp the bar with a closed, pronated grip.
Stand erect with feet shoulder width apart and the knees slightly flexed.
Move the bar down so that the upper arms are against the sides of the torso.
Flex the elbows to position the forearms perpendicular to the floor.
This the starting point for all repetitions.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Push the bar down until the arms are fully extended.
Keep the torso erect and the upper arms stationary.
Do not lock the elbows.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the elbows to flex back 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.

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 bodybuiiders’ 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 bent-knee sit-up.

MUSCLES TARGETED: rectus abdominis

STARTING POSITION

Assume a supine position on the floor.
Flex the knees to bring the heels close to the buttocks.
Fold the arms across the chest.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Flex the neck to move the chin to the chest.
Curl the torso toward the thighs until ONLY the upper back is off the mat.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the torso to uncurl, then the neck to extend back 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.

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 flat dumbbell fly.

MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major

STARTING POSITION

Grasp two dumbbells using a closed grip.
Assume a supine position on a bench.
Press the dumbbells to an extended elbow, parallel arm position above the chest.
Rotate the dumbbells to a neutral grip.
Slightly flex the elbows and point them out to the sides.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the dumbbells to lower in a wide arc until they are level with the shoulders or chest.
Keep the dumbbell bars parallel to each other as the elbows move downward.
Keep the wrists rigid and the elbows held in a slightly flexed position.
Keep the dumbbells in line with the elbows and shoulders.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Pull the dumbbells up toward each other in a wide arc back to the starting position.
Keep the wrists rigid and the elbows held in a slightly flexed position.
Keep the dumbbells in line with the elbows and shoulders.
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.