Shoulders/Core/Cardio

1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced.
2. Begin by lifting the dumbbells in front of you. Keep the abdominals contracted as you raise the dumbbells. Feel the contraction in the shoulder muscles.
3. Once the dumbbells reach shoulder height, pause and slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Stand straight holding a water bottle in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Hold the water bottles in front of your thighs with your palms of the facing your thighs. Keep your arms fully extended. This is the start position.
3. Raise the left water bottle out and upwards, while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Your palms must always face down for this exercise.
4. Continue raising the water bottle until your arm is a little above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you are raising the water bottle.
5. Pause for a count of one.
6. Inhale and slowly lower the water bottle to the start position.
7. As you lower the left water bottle, begin to lift the right water bottle, duplicating the movement.
8. When both water bottles have been raised and lowered in a cycle, that is one repetition.
9. Repeat.

1. Holding the handle of a resistance band in each hand, step on the middle of the band with both feet. Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
2. Begin by lifting your hands straight up in front of you with an overhand grip. Be sure to keep a slight bend in the elbows at all times.
3. Pause at the top to feel the contraction then slowly lower the bands to the starting position.

1. Begin by holding a pair of dumbbells and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the dumbbells up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Begin by holding a pair of water bottles and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the water bottles up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the water bottles to the starting position.

1. Adjust the cables so that the handles sit at chest height.
2. Grip the handle, across your body in a neutral grip, with both hands.
3. Keeping only a slight bend at your elbow, pull the cable back across your body using the muscles in your back.
4. Hold the flexed position for a full second before allowing the cable to pull you slowly back to the starting position.

1. Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure your core is tight and your chest is up. Begin by curling the weight up towards your shoulders. Keep your upper arms tight at your sides.
2. Once the dumbbells reach your shoulders, twist the dumbbells to have your palms face out. Now, drive the dumbbells overhead.
3. Slowly, lower the dumbbells to your shoulders. Now, flip them back so your palms are facing you. With arms tight at your sides, lower the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Sit on a military press bench or bench that has a back support, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Place the dumbbells on top of your thighs with your palms facing down.
3. Raise the dumbbells to your shoulders.
4. Rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing away from you. This is the start position.
5. As you exhale,  push the dumbbells up and over your head by extending your arms until the dumbbells touch at the top of the movement.
6. Pause for a count of one.
7. Slowly return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed standing or sitting on  flat bench. For people with lower back problems, the version described is better.

1. Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand straight, with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Raise the water bottles to head height by rotating your arms forward and up.
3. Your triceps should be parallel to the floor and your elbows bent at 90 degrees. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your back straight and using only your arms, extend through your shoulders and elbows to drive the water bottles straight up, exhaling as you do so.
5. As your arms reach the fully extended position, bring them in towards each other until the water bottles touch lightly together.
6. Hold for a count of one, while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
7. In a controlled movement, return to the starting position, inhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

1. Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
2. Press the handles of the resistance band up and stop once your upper arms are parallel with the ground, making a scarecrow formation. The band should be behind your arms.
3. Slowly press the resistance band overhead. Do not lock out the elbows. Lower to the starting position and begin again.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.
2. Keep your arms extended and by your sides and with your palms facing in.
3. Relax your shoulders so they hang as low as possible.
4. Raise the dumbbells by slowly lifting your shoulders in a shrugging motion. Hold for a count of one.
5. Slowly relax your shoulders to return to the start position.
6. Repeat.

You can also rotate your shoulders in a circular movement during this exercise. One direction on the lift, the opposite direction when lowering to the start position.

1. Place your feet shoulder width apart and using an overhand grip at a little more than shoulder width, hold a barbell in front of you.
2. Your arms should be fully extended towards the floor, palms facing in towards your thighs. This is the start position.
3. Exhale and raise or shrug your shoulders up in a slow controlled movement. Do not use your biceps to assist in lifting the barbell.
4. Continue as high as possible then hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
6. Pause then repeat.

You can rotate your shoulders when performing this exercise. However this is not recommended for people with shoulder problems.

1. With a dumbbell in each hand in a neutral grip,  lie face down on an incline bench. Your palms should be facing inwards.
2. Extend your arms out in front of you so that they are at right angles to the bench. Keep your legs stationary but with pressure on the balls of our feet and toes. This is the start position.
3. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, move the weights  away from each other  in an arcing motion exhaling as you do so.
4. Continue expanding your arms until they are parallel to the floor.
5. Hold and squeeze your shoulder blades together
6. Return to the starting position inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat .

1. Begin by holding a pair of dumbbells and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the dumbbells up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Adjust the cables so that the handles sit at chest height.
2. Grip the handle, across your body in a neutral grip, with both hands.
3. Keeping only a slight bend at your elbow, pull the cable back across your body using the muscles in your back.
4. Hold the flexed position for a full second before allowing the cable to pull you slowly back to the starting position.

1. Adjust the seat on the Rear Delt Machine so that your chest is against the padding and the handles are at shoulder level. Tighten your core throughout the movement.
2. Holding on to the handles in front of you, engage your rear delt muscles (back of the shoulder). Pull the weight, focusing all of the tension in your shoulder muscles.
3. Pause when the handles are at your sides then slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow the plate to touch the weight stack.

1. Begin by holding a pair of water bottles and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the water bottles up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the water bottles to the starting position.

1. Stand straight, your feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in your left hand with your palm facing in to your body.
2. Place your right hand on your waist, palm facing in. This is the start position.
3. Keeping your back and head straight, bend only from your waist to the right. Inhale as you bend.
4. Continue as far as possible, then hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position, exhaling as you do so.
6. Repeat the movement this time bending to the left and returning to the start position.
7. Complete all repetitions holding the dumbbell with your left hand before changing hands.

This exercise can be performed with a kettlebell or a plate weight.

1. Lie on a padded surface on your left side. Stack your legs and bring your right hand behind your head. Lie your left arm in front of you or across your body. Brace your core.
2. Pulling from the obliques, bring your elbow up and towards your feet. Do NOT pull yourself with your hand.
3. Pause and feel the contraction in your obliques then slowly return to the starting position.

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. 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. 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, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
2. Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
3. Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
5. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
6.  Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat.

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1. Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
2. Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
3. Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
4. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
5. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.

1. Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
2. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
3. Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. 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. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
3. Keep your elbows in  so that they are parallel to your body.
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.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

1. Lie on your back. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Shins should be parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head and bring your shoulders off the ground.
2. Exhale and contract your abdominals. Bring your head towards your knees while moving your knees toward your chest.
3. Pause and return to the starting position.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. Repeat.

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. Position yourself on all fours with knees underneath the hips and wrists under the shoulders.
2. Engage your abs and keep your spine neutral, pulling the shoulder blades towards the hips.
3. Lengthen the left leg until it is straight out and in line with your hips while simultaneously raising and straightening your right arm until it is parallel to the floor. Keep your head and shoulders aligned at all times.
4. Gently lower your arm and leg back to the starting position and alternate with the other arm and leg.

1. Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your arms outstretched, palms down in front of you, and your legs outstretched with your soles facing up.
2. Simultaneously lift your right arm and left leg off the floor.
3. When you reach your flexion point, hold for a second before slowly lowering back down to the floor.
4. Repeat the same movement with your left arm and right leg.

1. Position yourself on all fours on a mat.
2. Position your hands underneath your shoulders and place your knees under your hips.
3. Keep your right knee bent at 90 degrees and flex the foot as you lift the knee until it is level with the hip.
4. Lower the knee without touching the floor and repeat the lift.
5. Once you’ve completed the reps on the right leg, switch legs.

1. Assume a push-up position. Core is tight. Back is flat. Hands are underneath the shoulders. Head is in neutral position.
2. Bring one knee up towards your chest and twist towards the opposing elbow. (Ex: Right knee to left elbow.)
3. Contract the core and return the leg to the starting position.
4. Alternate between legs.

1. Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
2. Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
4. Starting with either leg, flex your knee and hip at the same time to bring your knee up and under your hip. Your other leg should remain fully extended. This is the start position.
5. Using an explosive movement, reverse the position of your legs, by extending the bent leg back and simultaneously flexing the straight leg until it is in the startposition.
6. Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.

• Standing up straight, bring your hands behind your head so that your elbows are pointed to the sides.
• Twisting your body, bring your left elbow down and across your body. At the same time, raise your right knee up and across to meet the left elbow.
• Return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

• Bring yourself to the ground and lie on your left side. Be sure to stack your feet.
• Place your left hand on your side while raising your right arm above your head so that the elbow is pointing towards the sky.
• Focusing all of the tension and contraction in the obliques, bring your feet up while you raise your upper body. Lead with the right elbow.
• Hold the contraction and slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow your feet or shoulder to touch the ground.
• Repeat.

1. Lie on an exercise mat and place your feet your under something that will not move or ask a spotter hold them down for you. Keep your knees bent.
2. Raise your upper body from the mat to form V-shape with your thighs.
3. Keep your arms fully extended in front of your chest, clasping your hands together.This is the start position.
4. In a smooth motion, twist your upper body to the right until you feel a stretch in your back and sides. Keep your arms parallel to the floor and exhale as you do this. Hold for a count of one and inhale.
5. Return to the start position while breathing out.
6. Repeat the movement,this time to the left side of your body.
7. Repeat.

As your strength increases, you can hold a weight plate or medicine ball in front of you to increase resistance and engage other muscle groups.

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. Stand tall with your legs extended straight.
2. Bend over from the hips and touch the floor with your palms flat on the floor.
3. Keep your legs straight as you walk your hands as far forward as you can. Don’t let your hips sag.
4. Take small steps and walk your feet to your hands.
5. Continue for the desired amount of repetitions and then straighten up to the starting position.

1. Get into a face down position on the floor supporting your upper body on your forearms. Your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees.
2. Extend your legs straight out behind you, supporting them on your toes and balls of your feet.
3. Keep your body in a straight line by tightening your abdominal and oblique muscles.
4. Hold for as long as possible.

For extra balance training and core strengthening, you can lift one arm or leg.

• Standing up straight, bring your hands behind your head so that your elbows are pointed to the sides.
• Twisting your body, bring your left elbow down and across your body. At the same time, raise your right knee up and across to meet the left elbow.
• Return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.