Workout 1: legs/back/biceps/belly

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

1. Stand up straight while holding two dumbbells. Maintain a tight core and flat back as you carefully place your right foot on top of a bench behind you with toes facing down. 
2. Bend at the front knee as you drop the back knee, maintaining perfect form. Front knee should not go over the toes.
3. Allow your thigh to come to parallel with the floor.
4. Pause then slowly return to the starting position without locking out your knee.
5. Repeat then switch sides once set is complete.

1. Place a bench in front of you. Hold a pair of dumbbells and stand facing the bench. Brace your core and keep your gaze straight ahead.
2. Bring your right knee up and step up on to the bench. Placing all of the effort in your right leg, bring your body up into a standing position on the bench.
3. Slowly lower yourself to the starting position and switch legs.

1. Set up a barbell in a rack at shoulder height.
2. In front of the rack, place an aerobic or exercise step on the floor.
3. Position yourself under the barbell so it is resting across your shoulder. Not on your neck.
4. Stand up straight to lift the barbell from the rack and walk forward to the step.
5. Place one foot on the step and push down through your heel while straightening your leg to lift yourself up onto the step and place your other foot flat on the step.Hold fora count of one.
6. Step down with the opposite leg to the one you started the movement with.
7. Repeat all the repetitions of the set for your chosen lead leg befor changing to the other.

For novices or people with balance problems, this exercise can be performed using only body weight or dumbbells until you are confident and your strength has increased. You can also perform this movement by alternating between legs.

1. Set up a  barbell on a rack  at just below shoulder level.
2. Step under the bar placing the back of your shoulders under it. Do not rest the bar on your neck.
3. Grip the the bar using an overhand grip with your elbows bent to90 degrees or slightly more. Less of an angle means your hands are too close together which can cause instability of balance.
4. Lift the barbell clear of the rack by  pushing with your legs, while straightening your torso.
5. Step away from the rack.
6. Step forward with your right leg and squat down through your hips. Keep your back straight  and be careful to maintain your balance. Inhale as you lower yourself.
7. Continue lowering your body until your left knee is nearly touching the floor.
8. Return to the start position b pushing through your heel,exhaling as you do so.
9. Complete all the repetitions for one leg before switching.

This exercise requires a great deal of balance. If you suffer from balance problems, it is best either avoid it, or just use your own body weight while holding on to a steady object. Never perform any exercise with a barbell on your back if you suffer from balance problems. For safety, this exercise is best performed inside a squat rack.

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

1. Stand up straight while holding two dumbbells. Maintain a tight core and flat back as you carefully place your right foot on top of a bench behind you with toes facing down. 
2. Bend at the front knee as you drop the back knee, maintaining perfect form. Front knee should not go over the toes.
3. Allow your thigh to come to parallel with the floor.
4. Pause then slowly return to the starting position without locking out your knee.
5. Repeat then switch sides once set is complete.

1. Place a barbell on the floor and stand facing it with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointing forward and your knees slightly bent. This is the start position.
2. As you exhale, bend at the waist keeping your back straight and knees slightly bent until you feel tension in your hamstrings.
3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip. Your arms should be fully extended with your hands spaced shoulder width apart.
4. Lift the barbell by extending your hips and waist in a smooth action until you have returned to the upright position, inhaling as you do so.
5. Pause for a count of 1-2.
6. Return the barbell to the floor or just above it by repeating step two.
7. Repeat.

This exercise should be avoided by those who suffer from lower back problems. To avoid injury, keep your back and torso straight at all times throughout this movement. This exercise can be performed using dumbbells or a straight bar attached to the low pulley of a cable station.

1. Place a barbell in a clear space on the floor. (Make sure there are no obstructions in your way.
2. Stand facing the barbell with your legs about 4-6 inches from the bar.
3. Place your feet shoulder width apart.Your feet can be pointed straight ahead or turned outwards slightly.
4. Squat down, keeping your back straight and grip the bar with an overhand grip at shoulder width.
5. Keep your arms fully extended and stand up with the barbell.
6. As you lift the barbell, your hips and shoulders should rise together and your back should be straight.
7. As you reach the top of the lift and are standing straight, rotate your shoulders back slightly until you feel a slight stretch in them.
8. Lower the barbell back to the floor in the same squatting motion you used to lift it.

This exercise can be very dangerous if performed incorrectly. If you are a novice, only perform this exercise with an experienced trainer's supervision.

1. Stand tall with a tight core while holding a pair of dumbbells. Keeping your chest up and your gaze straight ahead, shift all of your bodyweight to your left foot. Bend the right knee, allowing the right foot to lift off the ground.
2. Maintaining a flat back, tilt your upper body forward. Do not allow the dumbbells to pull you down. Control your descent. Simultaneously, allow the right foot to counterbalance the shift in weight.
3. Feel the contraction in your hamstrings and pause once your upper body is parallel with the ground. Slowly return to the starting position.

1. Sit on a leg extension machine and place your  legs under the pad with your feet pointed forward. The pad should rest on your shins just above your feet and you will need to adjust it to suit.
2. Grip the hand bars (if fitted) firmly. This is the start position.
3. Using  only your quadriceps, fully extend your legs exhaling as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the start position in a smooth movement as you inhale,.
5. The angle at your knee should not go past 90-degrees.
6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed one leg at a time.

1. Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor.
2. Raise one leg off the floor and bend your knee up towards your chest. Yhis is the start position.
3. Perform the exercise by pushing down through your other heel and pushing your hips up, raising your glutes off the mat. Continue until your hips are in a straight line with your torso. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the start position by lowering your hip to the floor.
5. Complete all the repetitions for one set before changing legs.

1. Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor. Keep your back straight.
2. Place your hands out to your sides palms flat for stability.
3. Raise your glutes off the floor by extending your hips upward while pushing down through you heels.
4. Continue until your back, hips and thighs are in a straight line. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position by lowering your hips back to the floor.
6. Pause then repeat.

1. Stand tall facing a pulley that has been adjusted to higher than head-height.
2. Attach a rope or dual handles to the pulley and grab hold of each end with your palms facing your head.
3. Engage your abs and pull the weight towards your face. Separate your hands as you pull.

Try to keep your arms parallel to the floor.

1. Connect a V-bar attachment to the low pulley on a cable station or cable rowing machine.
2.  Sit down at the station and place your feet on the foot pads or crossbar provided, while keeping your knees slightly bent.
3. Lean forward, keeping your back straight and grip the V-bar handles with both hands.
4. Keeping your arms fully extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs.
5. Your back should be slightly arched, with your chest should be pushed out. This is the start position.
6. Keeping your torso stationary, pull the handles back towards you while squeezing your back muscles.
7. Keep your arms close to your sides until your hands reach your abdomen. Exhale as you perform this movement.
8. Hold for a count of one.
9. Inhale as you return to the start position in a smooth movement.
10. Repeat.

Do not swing or rock back and forth as you perform this exercise. Doing so can cause lower back injury. <strong></strong> You can perform this exercise using a straight bar instead of a V-Bar. You can use an underhand or overhand grip.

1. Attach a V-bar / Triangle Bar to the Lat Pulldown machine. Sit on the bench and make sure your knees are secure. Reach up and grab the V-bar with an overhand grip. Be sure to brace your core.
2. Begin the movement by leaning back slightly while pulling down on the V-bar. Be sure to engage your middle back during the movement.
3. Once the V-bar is at your chest, pause, contract the muscle, and slowly release to the starting position.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of dumbbells at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the dumbbells up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the dumbbells to the starting point.

1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
2. Place your right knee on the end of the bench.
3. Bend your torso from the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, while placing your right hand on the bench in front of you for support.
4. With your left hand, pick up the dumbbell with an overhand grip. The palm of your hand should be facing into you.
5. Keep your lower back straight. This is the start position.
6. Using your back muscles, pull the dumbbell straight up to the side of your chest, keeping your upper arm close to your side. Exhale as you do so.
7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so. Repeat.
9. Complete all repetitions for one side before switching sides.

This exercise can be performed  using a cable station, with a stirrup handle attached to either the high or low pulley.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of water bottles at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the water bottles up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the water bottles to the starting point.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a braced core and flat back throughout.
3. Leading with your elbows, pull the handles of the resistance band back, bringing your shoulder blades closer together. Hold this contraction and slowly release to the starting position.

1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
2. Place your right knee on the end of the bench.
3. Bend your torso from the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, while placing your right hand on the bench in front of you for support.
4. With your left hand, pick up the dumbbell with an overhand grip. The palm of your hand should be facing into you.
5. Keep your lower back straight. This is the start position.
6. Using your back muscles, pull the dumbbell straight up to the side of your chest, keeping your upper arm close to your side. Exhale as you do so.
7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so. Repeat.
9. Complete all repetitions for one side before switching sides.

This exercise can be performed  using a cable station, with a stirrup handle attached to either the high or low pulley.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of dumbbells at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the dumbbells up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the dumbbells to the starting point.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a braced core and flat back throughout.
3. Leading with your elbows, pull the handles of the resistance band back, bringing your shoulder blades closer together. Hold this contraction and slowly release to the starting position.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of water bottles at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the water bottles up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the water bottles to the starting point.

1. Attach a straight bar to the low pulley on the cable station.
2. Stand facing the station with your feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
3. Grip the bar with an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
4. Keep your shoulders back.
5. Raise the bar straight up in one smooth movement, until it is just below your chin.
6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps and forearms.
7. Slowly lower to the start position and repeat.

1. Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
2. The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
3. Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
4. Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
5. As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
6. Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
7. Continue  lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
8. Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
9. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand,stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. The dumbbells should be resting on your thighs with your palms facing in.
3. Lift the dumbbells straight up in single smooth movement until they are just below your chin making sure to keep your shoulders back and your elbows out.
4. At the top of the movement, flex or squeeze your biceps and forearms. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the starting position slowly to keep tension on the muscles.
6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a barbell,EZ bar or a cable station with a straight bar or EZ bar attachment.

1. Set up a preacher curl bench making sure that the seat is set at the right height for you. The seat shouldn’t be so low that you need to raise your shoulders, or so high that you need to lean over the support pad.
2. Rest you arms on the support pad with your triceps near the top and your elbows midway down the pad.
3. Grip the EZ curl bar with an underhand grip at shoulder width.
4. Curl the bar in towards your chin and upper chest in a single smooth arc. Hold for a count of one.
5. Lower the bar by extending your arms back to the starting position.

This exercise is designed to isolate and focus attention on the biceps. Therefore, resistance is stronger at the start of each repetition. So when you begin each repetition, don't explode upwards too quickly!

1. Stand straight holing a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
2. Keep your arms fully extended with your palms facing in to your sides.
3. Keep your elbows tucked in to your sides. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders.
5. Continue  raising the dumbbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
6. Hold for a count of one and squeeze your biceps.
7. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

There are many ways to perform this movement. Other examples include; sitting with or without back support, using alternating arms and also using a cable station's lower pulley.

1. Stand at the cable station with your feet shoulder width apart and with a slight bend at the knee.
2. Grasp the rope with both hands and your palms facing inward.
3. Keeping your core strong and your elbows fixed at your sides pull the rope towards the top of your chest (only the lower portion of your arms should be moving).
4. Tense your biceps at the peak, and then slowly allow the rope to be pulled back down to the starting position.

1. Kneel in front of a cable station with a rope attachment connected to the top pulley.
2. Grip the rope attachment and place your wrists against your forehead.
3. Flex your hips slightly to take the weight and to hyperextend your lower back.
4. Keeping your hips stationary, bend at the waist so that your elbows travel down towards the middle of  your thighs. Hold for a count of one.
5.  Return to the start position in a controlled movement and repeat.

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
2. Hold a plate, dumbbell, kettlebell, or medicine ball securely above your head.
3. Keep your elbows locked.
4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.

Make sure the weight is held very securely!

1. Lie face up on with a medicine ball between your hands and your arms extended behind you. Keep your arms and legs straight and then raise your feet an inch off the floor.
2. Raise your torso and legs up at the same time and touch the medicine call to your feet. Hold for a moment.
3. Lower down to starting position with arms and ball behind your head.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
2. Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
3. Bend at your waist and at the same time, raise your legs and arms to meet in a closed jackknife position. Exhale as you do this.
4. At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
5. Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
6. Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
7. Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

1. Lie on your back on a mat with hands under your lower buttocks on either side to support your pelvis.
2. Legs straight out in front of you, ankles together and feet slightly off the floor.
3. Keep your knees straight and raise your legs by flexing the hips until they are completely flexed.
4. Return to starting position.

1. Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
2. Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
3. Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.

1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.