Bulk-Wk1W1: Hypertrophy

1. Set up a bench or stable elevated surface. Begin with both hands on the bench at shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width.
2. Place your feet straight behind you while you tighten your abs and engage the hips. Your hips should not dip or elevate too high during the movement.
3. Slowly lower yourself towards the bench. Once your upper arms are parallel with the floor, pause, and return to the starting position.

1. Set a barbell in a weight rack at the low end of a decline bench, making sure it is at a height you can reach without fully extending your arms.
2. Secure your feet under the stirrup, bar or strap at the high end of the bench and lie flat on your back with the rack slightly behind you.
3. Using an overhand grip, grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than your shoulder width apart.
4. Push up to lift the bar from the rack and hold it directly over you with your arms locked.
5. Bend your elbows to slowly lower the barbell until it slightly touches your chest, inhaling as you do so.
6. Drive the weight back up by contracting your pec muscles and return to the start position, exhaling as you do so.
7. At the top of the movement, lock your arms and squeeze your chest muscles.

If you are new at this exercise, you should use a spotter. If no spotter is available, then be conservative with the amount of weight used. Do not  let the bar drift too far forward, it should touch down your lower chest only. Don't bounce the weight off your chest. Keep full control of the barbell at all times. When performing this exercise, use a 2:1:1 count. That is a count of two on the downward movement. Pause for a count of one. A count of one one the upward movement. You can also use dumbbells or exercise bands to perform this exercise.

1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor next to a decline bench. Secure yourself in the bench. Pick up dumbbells and hold them above you with a slight bend in the elbow.
2. Keeping the dumbbells in line with your chest, slowly open up your arms to the sides.
3. Stop when your upper arms are parallel with the floor.
4. Squeeze your chest muscles and slowly return to starting position. Repeat.

1. Position yourself with your back down on a flat bench placing the hands up on the bar using an underhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
2. After taking a deep breath in, extend the elbows and lift the bar up off the rack until elbows are extended but not locked. Pause for a brief movement as you fully extend your breath.
3. Lower the weight directly down to the chest as you breath inwards, keeping the movement pattern slow and steady.
4. Once just above the chest, pause, and then press directly up again, exhaling your breath.
5. Continue until all reps are completed and then re-rack the barbell.

1. Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
3. Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
4. Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
5. As you push the weights up, move your arms in an arc to bring the dumbbells together, until they meet over the center of your chest. Hold for a count of one.
6. Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
7. Continue lowering your arms until they are a little lower than parallel to the floor. (Your elbows should be pointing slightly towards the floor and you should feel a stretch in your chest muscles and shoulders.)
8. Repeat

Be sure to concentrate on a balanced movement when lifting the dumbbells. Use both arms equally spaced and moving at the same speed.

1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.

1. Sit on the seat with your upper chest just above the horizontal handles.
2. Push the foot lever until you are able to grasp the lever.
3. Gras the handles using a wide overhand grip and place your elbows out to the sides just below your shoulders.
4. Release the foot lever and press the hand lever out until your arms are fully extended.
5. Return the weight until your chest muscles are slightly stretched.

1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
7. Repeat.

1. Set up an incline bench so the back rest is at about a 45 degree angle.
2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip. (Palms facing away from you)
3. Sit on the bench with your feet flat on the floor and your back and shoulders pressed firmly back against the back rest.
4. Raise the dumbbells up to your shoulder level, keeping your elbows bent at 90 degrees.
5. Push the dumbbells up and away from you using your shoulders and chest while straightening your arms.
6. Continue raising the dumbbells until your arms are straight and the dumbbells are suspended above your chest. Hold for a count of one.
7. Lower the dumbbells back towards your chest by relaxing your chest and shoulders while bending your elbows.
8. Hold for a count of one
9. Repeat.

1. Set up an incline bench in front of a weight rack, making sure you adjust the incline to a comfortable position. The back of the bench should be facing the weight stack.
2. Sit on the bench placing your back firmly against the backrest.
3. Using an overhand grip, grasp the bar with your hands spaced about twice your shoulder width apart.
4. Lift the bar from the rack by pushing up with your chest muscles and hold it straight over your chest with your arms fully extended. This is the start position.
5. As you inhale, lower the barbell slowly until it touches your upper chest.
6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your chest muscles.
7. Return to the start position as you exhale, pushing the bar using your chest muscles. Hold for a count of one.
8. Repeat.

If you are new at this exercise, you should use a spotter. If there is no-one available to spot for you, be conservative with the amount of weight you use. Do not let the bar drift too far forward. The bar to should touch down on your chest only. When performing this exercise, you should use a 2:1:1 count. That is a count of two on the downward movement. A count of one to hold and squeeze.a count of one for the upward movement.

1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
7. Repeat.

1. Sit on a pec deck machine with your back flat against the back rest.
2. Grip the handles and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor. If not parallel,adjust the seat or handles accordingly. This is the start position.
3. Exhale and slowly push the handles together  squeezing your chest to the middle as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
4. Inhale as you return to the starting position in a controlled movement.
5. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using an exercise band or pulleys. There are a variety of  different machines with different placement of your forearms. With these,  place your forearms on the pad, with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. Perform the exercise by squeezing your elbows together.

• Holding a pair of dumbbells, sit on a flat bench and slowly lower yourself back.
• Keep a tight core as you push the dumbbells above your chest. The dumbbells will be facing one another and held together.
• With a slight bend in the elbow, open up your chest and slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides.
• When the dumbbells are parallel with the ground, pause, and return to the starting position.

1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
7. Repeat.

1. Set up a cable station with a straight bar on attached to the top pulley.
2. Grip the bar with an overhand grip,with your hands slightly less than shoulder width apart.
3. Position your feet shoulder width apart,with knees slightly bent for stability.
4. Pull the bar down until your forearms are parallel to the floor with your elbows close to your body and your wrists locked in a straight position. This is your staring point.
5. Moving only your forearms, push the bar down towards the floor until your arms are fully extended and you feel a stretch in your triceps. Hold for a count of one and squeeze your triceps.
6. Return to the start position moving your forearms only. Hold for a count of one then repeat.

Do not move your elbows or swing your hips for momentum during this movement.

1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the dumbbells back and behind you.
3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the dumbbells and begin again.

1. Sit on a bench with back support.
2. Grip a dumbbell at one end using both hands. Your palms should be facing inward.
3. Hold the dumbbell overhead with your arms fully extended.  This is the the start position.
4. Keep your upper arms close to your head (biceps roughly level with your temples) and near to 90degrees to the floor.
5. Moving only your forearms, lower the dumbbell in a smooth arc behind your head until your forearms and biceps touch. Hold for a count of one.
6. Return to the start position by using the triceps to extend your arm and raise the dumbbell. Exhale as you do this.
7. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed standing. However, it places an extra strain on your back so is not recommended for people with lower back problems. You can also perform this exercise using an EZ bar or straight bar with a close grip behind your head, palms facing forward.

1. Attach a rope to the bottom pulley of a cable station.
2. Grip the rope with both hands using a neutral grip. Turn your body away from the cable station.
3. Fully extend your arms until your hands are directly above your head pointing to the ceiling.
4. Keep your elbows  close to your head. This is the start position.
5. Slowly lower the rope behind your head, keeping your upper arms stationary, inhaling as you do so.
6. When your triceps are fully extended, hold for a count of one while squeezing your triceps.
7. Return to the starting position by flexing your triceps  and extending your arms. Exhale as you do so.
8. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed  seated on a plain bench, or one that has a back support You  can also use a single dumbbell instead of the rope.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Push the handles of the band overhead while keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Brace your abdominals and do not arch your back.
3. Slowly lower your hands behind your head using only the forearms. The upper arms will stay in place with the elbow pointed up.
4. Push the handles back up, focusing the tension in the triceps.

• Place a BOSU Ball on the ground with the blue rubber side facing down. Carefully, place a hand on each side. Take a push-up position by ensuring your elbows are slightly bent, your core is tight and your hips are level.
• Bend at the elbows first, slowly lowering your body towards the BOSU Ball. Keep your core tight during the entire exercise. Pause once your upper arms are parallel with the floor. Push yourself back to the starting position, making sure not to completely straighten your elbows.
• Repeat.

1. Set up a bench or stable elevated surface. Begin with both hands on the bench at shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width.
2. Place your feet straight behind you while you tighten your abs and engage the hips. Your hips should not dip or elevate too high during the movement.
3. Slowly lower yourself towards the bench. Once your upper arms are parallel with the floor, pause, and return to the starting position.

1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
7. Repeat.

1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next 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 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 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.