Exercises 257-293 Overhead Plate Presses

1. Lie face down on a leg curl machine and lock your heels under the foot pad. Make sure your legs are fully extended and the foot pads are resting on the back of your ankles.
2. If the machine is equipped with handles, grip them. If not, grip the front of the pad you are lying on.
3. Remaining flat on the bench, with no arching of your spine, curl your legs up in a smooth arcing motion by bending your knees until your hamstrings are fully contracted. Hold for a count of one.
4. Slowly lower your legs to the starting position in a smooth arcing motion.
5. Repeat

Don't use so much weight for this exercise that you need to swing or jerk the weight up. Doing so can cause injury to your lower back and / or hamstrings. Start with a lower weight until your strength increases.

1. Adjust the seated leg curl machine to position the footpad just above your heels.
2. Sit upright and engage your abs as you position your legs in front of you.
3. Begin to curly your legs back slowly towards you and flex your calf muscles as you do so.
4. Return to the starting position by extending the legs in front of you again.

Tip: Try not to swing the weight or execute the movement too quickly.

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.

1. Lie on your right side on top of a yoga mat or other soft surface.
2. Brace your core and make sure your body is in a straight line. Keep your right hand on the ground and your left hand on your hip.
3. Slowly lift the left leg into the air, keeping it straight during the exercise.
4. Slowly lower your left leg. Complete the set then repeat with the other leg.

1. Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
2. Bend at the knees and drive your hips back as if you’re sitting in a chair. Continue to lower your body until your upper legs are parallel to the floor.
3. Then drive your hips forward and push through your quads and glutes  to return to a standing position.
4. Just as you reach the standing position, lift your chosen leg out to the side; it should be straight.
5. Lower your leg back so that you return to the starting position and repeat for the other side!

1. Lie on a mat with your hands either by your sides or under your buttocks
2. Gently raise one leg to about 12 inches off the ground
3. Keep your abs engaged as you lower it back down to the ground
4. Repeat with the other leg for the specified reps or time

1. Select the correct weight to counterbalance your own before beginning. The heavier the weight, the easier it will be.
2. Reach above and use an overhand grip to secure yourself as you kneel on the padded surface of the assisted machine. Tighten your core as well as your glutes.
3. Lower yourself slowly. Do not lock out the elbow. Pull yourself back to the starting position but do not let the weight touch the stack. Pause and repeat.

1. Set the bar to your waist height.
2. Lie on your back under the bar.
3. Reach up and grip the bar with an overhand grip with both hands.
4. Keeping your body straight,  pull yourself up towards the bar by pulling your elbows as far back as you can and trying to touch the bar with your chest.
5. Hold and squeeze your arm and back muscles.
6. Lower yourself back to the start position in a controlled motion.
7. Repeat.

For this exercise, you can use a Smith machine bar, an Olympic bar on a rack or any other straight, sturdy bar set to the right height. The lower the bar is to the floor, the more intense it will be due to the starting angles of your arms.

1. Adjust the seat height so that you can comfortably hang your arms over the pad of the machine. Make sure your shoulders are forward, allowing you to bring your arms closer than shoulder-width.
2. Using an underhand grip, secure the handle of the machine bar. Keep a slight bend in the elbows at all times. Move the bar up, towards your face, focusing the tension in the biceps. Pause at the top and slowly lower to the starting position.
3. Do not allow the weight to touch the stack and do not lock out your elbows. Repeat.

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. 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 arm on the support pad with your triceps near the top and your elbow midway down the pad.
3. Grip the dumbbell with an underhand grip at shoulder width.
4. Curl the dumbbell in towards your chin and upper chest in a single smooth arc. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
5. Lower the dumbbell by extending your arms back to the starting position.
6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions then change to your other arm.

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

1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs spread, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor with a dumbbell between your feet.
2. Use either arm to pick the dumbbell up and hold it with an underhand grip.
3. Place the back of that upper arm on the top of your inner thigh on the same side. Your palm should be facing away from your thigh.
4. Keep your arm fully extended downwards without letting the dumbbell rest on the floor. This is the start position.
5. Curl the dumbbell forward and up in a smooth arc, contracting your biceps and exhaling.
6. Continue curling the dumbbell upward until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level.  Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
7. Return to the start position in a controlled, smooth arc inhaling as you do so. Do not swing the dumbbell down.
8. Repeat for all the repetitions for that arm then switch and repeat the movement with your other arm.

Throughout this exercise, only your forearms should move. This exercise can be performed standing in a bent over position. Here there is no upper arm support so it's important to ensure there is no movement or swinging of the upper arm. This harder version of concentration curls isn't recommended for people who suffer lower back issues.

1. Place your back flat against the back pad of the hack machine and position your shoulders under the shoulder pads.
2. Place your legs in a shoulder width stance with your toes pointed out slightly.
3. Grip the side handles of the machine and disengage the safety bars.
4. Straighten your legs, but do not lock your knees. This is the start position.
5. Inhale as you slowly lower the weight by bending your knees.
6. Continue down until the angle between your upper legs and your calves is slightly less than 90-degrees. Your outer knee should be in line with your toes. Do not extend your knees past your toes. Hold for a count of one.
7. Return to the start position by pushing down through your heels and extending your legs, exhaling as you do so. When you reach the starting position,hold for a count of one.
8. Repeat

1. Sit down on a leg press machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at shoulder width.
2. Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform  and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you bot do NOT lock your knees. Your torso and legs should be at a 90degree angle to each other. This is the start position.
3. Inhaling, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs form a 90-degree angle. Pause for a count of one,
4. Return to the starting position by pushing through the heels of your feet, engaging your quadriceps. Exhale as you do so.
5. Repeat.
6. After completing the desired number of repetitions, make sure you lock the safety pins of the machine before alighting.

Always check to make sure that when you re-rack the weight the platform is securely locked.

1. Begin by positioning a barbell at or just below shoulder level in the squat rack. Behind the squat rack, place a tall wooden box or chair. Place yourself underneath the barbell. Make sure the bar is across your upper traps and NOT on your neck.
2. Place your feet outside of shoulder-width with your toes pointed slightly out. Brace your core and keep your chest up.
3. Bend at the knees as you drive your hips back. Lower yourself slowly until your butt touches the box. Pause then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.

• Keep a tight core and flat back as you remain seated in the shoulder press machine.
• Look straight ahead as you hold on to the handles.
• Slowly, press the handles up above your head.
• Do not lock out your elbow.
• Slowly, bring the handles back down but do not let the weight stack touch.
• Repeat the movement.

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. 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. Place a bench with a back support inside a squat rack and set up a barbell at a height that is just above your head.
2. Grip the barbell with an overhand grip.
3. Space your hands out so that your elbows are bent at 90 degrees.
4. Lift the bar to around shoulder level by extending your arms.  This is the start position.
5. Inhaling, lower the bar  to your shoulders slowly.
6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
7. Push the barbell back to the start position as you exhaling as you do so..
8. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

This exercise can also be performed standing.

1. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball just below your chest.
2. Lift the ball high above your head, taking care to maintain a firm hold.  
3. Bring the ball down to a slam on the right side of your body.
4. Squat to pick up the ball, being sure to bend your legs, and bring it back to the starting position.
5. Repeat the movement on the opposite side.

• With slightly bent knees and a tight core, hold a medicine ball in front of you at hip-level.
• Begin by raising the medicine ball upward above your head with both hands.
• Keeping your elbows bent, forcefully throw the ball at the ground.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back up, and bring it back up above your head.
• Repeat this slam and catch movement.

1. Lie with your upper back perpendicular on a bench.
2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor and flex your hips so that your body is in line.
3. Grasp a dumbbell between your hands under the inner plate, palms facing up.
4. Position the weight over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.
5. Keep your elbows bent as you lower the dumbbell over your head until your upper arms are in line with your torso.
6. To return to the starting position, pull the dumbbell up and over your chest.

Try to avoid raising your hips and maintain a small bend in your elbows throughout the movement.

• Stand up straight, facing a wall or a partner. Make sure there is approximately 5 feet of space between you.
• Holding a medicine ball with both hands, bring it up to your chest level.
• Focusing the tension in your chest, explosively toss the ball straight and forward against the wall or have your partner catch it.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back and repeat the movement in rapid succession.

1. Laying flat on the floor with your legs bent and knees pointing upwards, hold the medicine ball on your chest with your hands at either side.  
2. Using an explosive press, drive the medicine ball up and away from your chest.
3. Allow the ball to leave your hands but be ready to catch it again on its descent.
4. Catch the ball and lower it back to your chest to repeat.

Take extra care with this motion! Practice with a very light ball to get the rhythm.

1. Laying flat on the floor with your legs bent and knees pointing upwards, hold the medicine ball on your chest with your hands at either side.  
2. Using an explosive press, drive the medicine ball up and away from your chest.
3. Allow the ball to leave your hands but be ready to catch it again on its descent.
4. Catch the ball and lower it back to your chest to repeat.

Take extra care with this motion! Practice with a very light ball to get the rhythm.

• Stand up straight, facing a wall or a partner. Make sure there is approximately 5 feet of space between you.
• Holding a medicine ball with both hands, bring it up to your chest level.
• Focusing the tension in your chest, explosively toss the ball straight and forward against the wall or have your partner catch it.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back and repeat the movement in rapid succession.

1. With your knees bent, hold the medicine ball against your shoulder with your behind hand on the back of the ball and the other hand supporting the ball from the bottom.
2. Drive your behind hand forward, explosively, and push the ball away from your body.
3. Fully extend your behind arm to get maximum power on each throw.
4. Collect the ball and repeat with the other arm.

1. Kneel with feet together and toes tucked under. Bend forward placing your arms on the sides of a medicine ball, bending forward until you are in the plank position with legs straight out behind you.
2. Lower your chest towards the ball, keeping the torso rigid and body in line. Lower down until your chest touches the ball, keeping your elbows in and slightly flared outwards.
3. Press upwards to the starting plank position.

1. Position yourself on all fours on a mat.
2. Place your hands in front of you and shoulder-width apart.
3. Now bring your hands in towards the center until the tips of your index fingers and tips of your thumbs are touching. This creates a diamond shape between your hands. Your elbows and wrists should be in line with your chest.
4. With your fingers facing forwards, lift off your knees so that your body forms a straight line and just your hands and toes touch the floor.
5. Keep you pelvis straight and abs engaged and aim to keep a straight back throughout the movement.
6. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the floor, aiming to touch your chest to the top of your hands. Pause briefly.
7. Return to the starting position by extending your elbows and lifting your body off the floor again.

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.

• Stand up straight with your left side to a wall or a partner.
• Holding a medicine ball with both hands, bring it up to your chest level.
• Twisting with your body, explosively toss the ball with the right hand against the wall or have your partner catch it.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back and twist back to the starting position.
• Repeat the movement in rapid succession. Once finished, do it again on the right side.

• With slightly bent knees and a tight core, hold a medicine ball in front of you at hip-level.
• Begin by raising the medicine ball upward above your head with both hands.
• Keeping your elbows bent, forcefully throw the ball at the ground.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back up, and bring it back up above your head.
• Repeat this slam and catch movement.

1. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball just below your chest.
2. Lift the ball high above your head, taking care to maintain a firm hold.  
3. Bring the ball down to a slam on the right side of your body.
4. Squat to pick up the ball, being sure to bend your legs, and bring it back to the starting position.
5. Repeat the movement on the opposite side.

1. Lie with your upper back perpendicular on a bench.
2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor and flex your hips so that your body is in line.
3. Grasp a dumbbell between your hands under the inner plate, palms facing up.
4. Position the weight over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.
5. Keep your elbows bent as you lower the dumbbell over your head until your upper arms are in line with your torso.
6. To return to the starting position, pull the dumbbell up and over your chest.

Try to avoid raising your hips and maintain a small bend in your elbows throughout the movement.

1. Hold the medicine ball just below your waist and your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
2. Bend your knees, allow your body to lean forward and let the ball hang between your calves.
3. Explode upwards using your legs and bring your arms up holding the medicine ball out in front of you until its just above your head.
4. Lower the ball back between your legs (but not to the floor) and repeat the movement.

1. Hold a kettlebell with both hands in an over hand grip.
2. Stand straight, with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
3. Lean forward at your waist slightly and bend your knees as if getting ready to squat.
4. Keep your back arched and your head facing forward.
5. Let your arms hang loosely.
6. Swing the kettlebell back between your legs while exhaling.
7. In an explosive movement, force the kettle forward and back up in front of you, either to eye level or above head height by thrusting forward with your hips and rotating your shoulders.
8. Continue for the desired number of repetitions or time.

1. Start with one kettlebell placed on the floor between your feet.
2. Bend your knees and back slightly and reach down to grip the kettlebell in an overhand grip.
3. Explode upwards using your legs and bring the arm holding the kettlebell out in front of you until it reaches a horizontal level.
4. Lower the kettlebell back between your legs (but not to the floor) and switch hands to repeat the movement.

1. In a open, person-free space, take hold of a medicine/slam ball with both hands so that it rests on your chest.
2. Lower your body into a half squat before explosively straightening your legs. Simultaneously press the ball away from your chest and release it at a slightly upward angle.
3. Chase the ball, use a squat to collect it from the ground and perform the same movement.

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. Position yourself on a decline bench so that your feet are secured by the pads. Lay back and place your arms across your chest or behind your head.
2. Begin the movement by pulling yourself up by your abdominals. Do not force yourself up by pulling on your neck. Let your abs do all the work.
3. Once at the top, slowly lower yourself back down. Again, focus on the abs doing all of the work. Repeat by bringing yourself back up.

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 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.

• Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
• Holding a medicine ball with both hands, face a wall and make sure you have distanced yourself approximately 5 feet away.
• Bring the medicine ball up and behind your head in an arc fashion.
• Launch the ball forward towards the wall.
• Catch the ball as it bounces back and bring it back up and behind your head.
• Repeat the movement.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with dumbbells above your shoulders.
2. Squat down keeping your back flat and your knees over your toes.
3. Push through your heels to return to standing while pressing the dumbbells overhead with arms fully extended.
4. Return to starting position and repeat.

1. Clean two kettlebells to your shoulders. Clean the kettlebells to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebells towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrists as you do so. This will be your starting position.
2. Begin to squat by flexing your hips and knees, lowering your hips between your legs. Maintain an upright, straight back as you descend as low as you can.
3. At the bottom, reverse direction and stand by extending your knees and hips and pushing down through your heels. As you do so, press both kettlebells overhead by extending your arms straight up, using the momentum from the squat to help drive the weights upward.
4. As you begin the next repetition, return the weights to the shoulders.

1. Stand with your feet no wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball with one hand at either side in front of your chest.
2. Rotate your body from the waist up to the left side and raise the medicine ball over your left shoulder, not quite fully extending your arms. Be sure to get extra reach by pointing your right toe.
3. Using a chopping motion, bring the ball diagonally across the front of your body so that the ball ends on the outer side of your right shin.
4. Bring the ball straight up the right side of your body and again move diagonally across your body once again to complete the motion.

1. Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
2. Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
3. Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.

1. Adjust the pulley lever to be above you. Stand next to a pulley machine with your left side. Grab the handle with both hands. Brace your core and separate your feet to outside of shoulder width.
2. Begin the movement by twisting with your obliques to pull the handle down and across your body.
3. Once the handle is on the right side of your body, pause and slowly return the handle to the starting position.

1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.

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. 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 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.

• Grab a pull-up bar with an overhand grip and hang from the bar without locking out your elbows.
• In one explosive movement, pull yourself up and bring yourself up to the bar. The bar should be at your belly button.
• Using your triceps, push yourself up as you would with a dip.
• Slowly lower yourself down to the ground and repeat.

• Place weight on one end of a barbell.
• Straddle the barbell with the weight in front.
• Bend your knees and drive your hips back as you keep a flat back and tight core.
• Grab the barbell with the left hand and support yourself with your right hand.
• Pull the barbell up, towards you, contracting the back muscles.
• Slowly lower and repeat on the other side.

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. 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. 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. Start with one kettlebell placed on the floor between your feet.
2. Bend your knees and back slightly and reach down to grip the kettlebell in an overhand grip.
3. Explode upwards using your legs and bring the arm holding the kettlebell out in front of you until it reaches a horizontal level.
4. Lower the kettlebell back between your legs (but not to the floor) and switch hands to repeat the movement.

1. Hold a kettlebell with both hands in an over hand grip.
2. Stand straight, with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
3. Lean forward at your waist slightly and bend your knees as if getting ready to squat.
4. Keep your back arched and your head facing forward.
5. Let your arms hang loosely.
6. Swing the kettlebell back between your legs while exhaling.
7. In an explosive movement, force the kettle forward and back up in front of you, either to eye level or above head height by thrusting forward with your hips and rotating your shoulders.
8. Continue for the desired number of repetitions or time.

1. Hold the medicine ball just below your waist and your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
2. Bend your knees, allow your body to lean forward and let the ball hang between your calves.
3. Explode upwards using your legs and bring your arms up holding the medicine ball out in front of you until its just above your head.
4. Lower the ball back between your legs (but not to the floor) and repeat the movement.

1. Lay on your left side on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your right arm bent and its palm flat on the ground in front of your left shoulder.
2. Wrap your left arm around your rib cage and bend your knees slightly.
3. Push with your right arm and allow your body to raise off the ground as you push.
4. Once your right arm is almost fully extended, hold for a second before slowly lowering yourself back down to the floor.
5. Repeat for the designated number of reps before performing the same movement with your left arm.

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 arm on the support pad with your triceps near the top and your elbow midway down the pad.
3. Grip the dumbbell with an underhand grip at shoulder width.
4. Curl the dumbbell in towards your chin and upper chest in a single smooth arc. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
5. Lower the dumbbell by extending your arms back to the starting position.
6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions then change to your other arm.

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

1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs spread, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor with a dumbbell between your feet.
2. Use either arm to pick the dumbbell up and hold it with an underhand grip.
3. Place the back of that upper arm on the top of your inner thigh on the same side. Your palm should be facing away from your thigh.
4. Keep your arm fully extended downwards without letting the dumbbell rest on the floor. This is the start position.
5. Curl the dumbbell forward and up in a smooth arc, contracting your biceps and exhaling.
6. Continue curling the dumbbell upward until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level.  Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
7. Return to the start position in a controlled, smooth arc inhaling as you do so. Do not swing the dumbbell down.
8. Repeat for all the repetitions for that arm then switch and repeat the movement with your other arm.

Throughout this exercise, only your forearms should move. This exercise can be performed standing in a bent over position. Here there is no upper arm support so it's important to ensure there is no movement or swinging of the upper arm. This harder version of concentration curls isn't recommended for people who suffer lower back issues.

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. Adjust the seat height so that you can comfortably hang your arms over the pad of the machine. Make sure your shoulders are forward, allowing you to bring your arms closer than shoulder-width.
2. Using an underhand grip, secure the handle of the machine bar. Keep a slight bend in the elbows at all times. Move the bar up, towards your face, focusing the tension in the biceps. Pause at the top and slowly lower to the starting position.
3. Do not allow the weight to touch the stack and do not lock out your elbows. Repeat.

1. Hold a kettlebell by the handle.
2. Lift the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through your legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulder, rotating your wrist as you do so. Your palm should face forward with the kettlebell hanging at the back of your hand. This is the start position.
3. Lower your body by bending your knees while keeping your torso straight and upright.
4. Do not perform a full squat, instead travel down about midway into a squat position.
5. Without pausing, reverse direction, driving down through your heels, to create momentum.
6. As you rise up, press the kettlebell straight up over your head by extending and locking your arms.
7. Land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
8. Lower the weight to start position
9. Repeat.
10. Complete all repetitions for one side before switching.

Use your body's momentum to drive the weight up, assisting your arm.

• With dumbbells at your sides, stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and fee pointing slightly outward. Look straight ahead.
• Squat down until your upper legs are parallel with the floor by bending your knees, keep your back straight.
• With an explosive but controlled movement, push up through your heels and press the dumbbells above your head as you return to standing position.
• Still standing, slowly lower the dumbbells down to your chest and then down to your sides by extending your arms.
• Repeat.

1. Place a kettlebell in front of you
2. Place your right leg forward and rest your left leg on the ball of your left foot.(Similar to a lunge stance)
3. Bend your knees slightly as you bend over to get in the starting position.
4. Keep your back straight.
5. Rest your right hand on your right knee for stability.
6. Grip the kettlebell with a neutral grip in your left hand.
7. Pull the kettlebell up to your stomach, retracting your shoulder blade and flexing your elbow. Keep your back straight. Lower and repeat.
8. Complete all the repetitions for one side before switching.

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. 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 kettlebell between your feet.
2. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
3. Bend your knees and push your hips back,bending at the waist while keeping your back straight.
4. Grip the kettle bell with an overhand grip.
5. Keeping your neck and head straight, swing the kettlebell back between your legs.
6. Once the kettlebell is behind you, immediately reverse the direction and drive forward with your hips and knees, forcing the kettlebell upward.
7. When the kettlebell reaches shoulder level, rotate your hand and push straight up, using your momentum.
8. Use your body’s downward momentum to receive the weight as it comes back down.
9. Return to the start position.
10. Repeat until all the repetitions for one arm are completed, then switch.

The exercise can be performed continuously, using the downward momentum to swing the kettlebell backwards. However for maximum benefit, it is better to follow the outline described.

1. Stand over a dumbbell with your feet placed slightly wider than hip width apart either side of the dumbbell.
2. Squat down and take a firm grip of the dumbbell; ensure that your shoulders are positioned upright, keeping your back straight and eyes straight ahead.
3. Explosively lift the dumbbell by extending your hips from the squatting position and allow the dumbbell to travel along upward and close to your body.
4. As the dumbbell reaches your hip level, shrug your lifting shoulder and pull the dumbbell upwards keeping the same line of trajectory if viewed from the side.
5. Bending your working elbow and allowing the dumbbell to extend overhead, slightly squat your body below so that your position is semi-squatted with your working arm fully extended above your head.
6. Maintaining a solid grip on the now overhead dumbbell, drive your feet into the floor and rise upwards from the semi-squatting position to complete the lift.

This exercise is a complicated explosive lift. If attempting for the first time, start with a light dumbbell for form practice. Ideally, do so with a qualified trainer present.

1. Set up a cable station by adjusting the pulley height on each side to a little higher than shoulder height.
2. Attach a stirrup type handle to each pulley.
3. Select aweight that is comfortable, making sure the weight is the same on both sides of the machine.
4. Stand between the two weight stacks of the machine,with your feet shoulder width apart.
5. Extend your arms fully to your sides and grip the handles with an underhand grip.
6. Make sure your arms and shoulders are in a straight line and alligned with the handles. This is the start position
7. Exhale and contract your biceps to curl your forearms towards your shoulders.
8. Continue until your forearms and biceps touch. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
9. Return to the star position in a smooth action while inhaling.
10. Repeat.

Only your forearms should move during this exercise. You can perform this exercise using one arm at a time.

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 arm on the support pad with your triceps near the top and your elbow midway down the pad.
3. Grip the dumbbell with an underhand grip at shoulder width.
4. Curl the dumbbell in towards your chin and upper chest in a single smooth arc. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
5. Lower the dumbbell by extending your arms back to the starting position.
6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions then change to your other arm.

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

1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs spread, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor with a dumbbell between your feet.
2. Use either arm to pick the dumbbell up and hold it with an underhand grip.
3. Place the back of that upper arm on the top of your inner thigh on the same side. Your palm should be facing away from your thigh.
4. Keep your arm fully extended downwards without letting the dumbbell rest on the floor. This is the start position.
5. Curl the dumbbell forward and up in a smooth arc, contracting your biceps and exhaling.
6. Continue curling the dumbbell upward until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level.  Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
7. Return to the start position in a controlled, smooth arc inhaling as you do so. Do not swing the dumbbell down.
8. Repeat for all the repetitions for that arm then switch and repeat the movement with your other arm.

Throughout this exercise, only your forearms should move. This exercise can be performed standing in a bent over position. Here there is no upper arm support so it's important to ensure there is no movement or swinging of the upper arm. This harder version of concentration curls isn't recommended for people who suffer lower back issues.

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. Place a firm grip on two appropriately weighted dumbbells. Before driving the dumbbells above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
2. Push the dumbbells straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
3. Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
4. Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those dumbbells fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.

This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place.

1. Place a firm grip on an appropriately weighted plate. Before driving the plate above your head, make sure that your core is tight, your chest is up, and your grip is solid.
2. Push the plate straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
3. Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
4. Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep that plate fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.

This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place, and your hands are dry.

1. Place a firm grip on two water bottles. Before driving the water bottles above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
2. Push the water bottles straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
3. Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
4. Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those water bottles fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.

This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting.

1. Firmly holding a plate at chest level with both hands either side, stand straight, with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Drive the weight upwards using your chest and shoulders keeping your back straight with a slight bend at the knee.
3. As your arms reach the fully extended position, take great care to keep a firm grip on the plate.
4. In a controlled movement, slowly lower the plate back down to the chest and the starting position.
5. Repeat.

Take great care with this exercise. Ensure your hands are dry and never push yourself to failure with this exercise.

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. 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.