Ahh, the mythical bench press. It holds a special place in many lifters' hearts. The draw of a muscular chest, rounded shoulders, and bulging triceps is what makes many fall in love with benching, either ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Face Pull for a Stronger Upper Body
When it comes to developing an upper body that looks great and performs even better, the best coaches in powerlifting, strongman/strongwoman, weightlifting, bodybuilding, and sports performance all agree ... Continue Reading
5 Goblet Squat Variations for Leg Strength and Mobility
Some lifters think they don't "need" to do the goblet squat, usually because they can load more weight onto a barbell. But the goblet squat really is one of the most efficient exercises you can do. It's ... Continue Reading
Try These Hotel Workouts to Stay Fit During Holiday Travel
Travel is inevitably associated with a departure from normal routine, but regular resistance exercise is one habit you don’t want to leave behind. Resistance training helps to maintain and improve ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Turkish Get-Up for Total-Body Strength and Conditioning
Talk to anyone in your average gym about training to build conditioning or cut body fat, and the Turkish get-up is probably not going to be one of the first exercises mentioned, if it comes up at all. It ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Russian Twist for Powerful Abs
If you listed the most popular ab exercises, there would be some familiar contenders like crunches, planks, and leg raises, no doubt. But one dark horse in the race is the Russian twist. You'll see it ... Continue Reading
10 Lateral Raise Variations For Bigger Shoulders
If you care about creating an aesthetic physique, then you have engaged in the quest of the coveted v-taper — broad shoulders and a wide back leading down to a slim but hardened midsection. The ... Continue Reading
Hammer Curls vs. Biceps Curls: The Battle for Bigger Arms
It doesn't take much to convince most people in the gym to curl. If you want an impressive physique, an intense pump, and more strength in the gym, you'll find time to do some curls. But with so many ... Continue Reading
7 Fitness Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving formally or just see the end of November as the beginning of a drawn-out “holiday season,” many people spend the day eating, drinking, and being merry with friends and ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Dumbbell Deadlift for Size and Strength
The barbell deadlift is the king of the jungle when it comes to pulling exercises. It's a primary movement with the potential to move the most weight. Plus, it’s a competition lift in powerlifting, along ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Spider Curl for Better Biceps
Big basic exercises like the bench press, pull-up, and barbell row are great for building your back, chest, and even shoulders, but they might not suffice to fill your sleeves and build an impressive set ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Lat Pulldown Alternatives for Back Size
There aren’t many muscle-building or strength-focused training programs that leave out the traditional lat pulldown. Many effective workouts include this classic, and for good reason. Pulling in a ... Continue Reading
6 Deadlift Benefits Everyone Should Know About
You might know the deadlift as a member of the “big three” powerlifting movements, along with the squat and bench press. As the least complex of the competition exercises, the deadlift typically allows ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Straight-Arm Pushdown for a Wider Back
Exercises like the chin-up and the deadlift are seen as the kings of back-builders by many lifters, but they are only the meat and potatoes. You have to add some seasoning if you want the best final ... Continue Reading
Deadlift vs. Sumo Deadlift: Know How to Pull
The classic barbell deadlift might be the most primal and instinctive movement around. “See that weight on the ground? Betcha can’t pick it up. Go try.” While there’s something to be said for brute-forcing ... Continue Reading
Workout Complexes Explained: Use Combination Lifts for Better Results
Complexes, also known as combination lifts, consist of two or more exercises performed with the same free weight in a non-stop, continuous fashion. While this method may initially appear similar to ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Upright Row for More Upper Body Muscle
Most shoulder exercises involve pressing a weight overhead, while most back exercises involve pulling a weight toward your body. The upright row is a little bit of both. This unique vertical pulling ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Hamstring Exercises for Muscle Mass, Strength, and More
“Don’t skip leg day” has almost become a meme in the gym, warning dedicated lifters to give lower body training as much emphasis, intensity, and attention as their upper body. That’s all well and good, ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Trap Bar Deadlift — Variations, Benefits, and Common Mistakes
In growing numbers, most commercial gyms are adding at least one trap bar to their arsenal of available equipment. As a gym member, you should be counting your blessings. With all of the unique benefits ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Close-Grip Bench Press for Bigger, Stronger Triceps
Most lifters in the gym have performed the classic flat bench press to build chest size and upper body pressing strength. When it comes to variations of this time-honored exercise, most lifters adjust the ... Continue Reading
Everything You Need to Know About Pull-Ups for Beginners
Few exercises can be as daunting as the pull-up. Having the strength necessary to perform one single repetition is a challenge for many. Yet, it is a milestone everyone should strive for. It’s frustrating ... Continue Reading
The 15 Best Shoulder Exercises for Width and Strength
Whether you call them boulder shoulders, capped delts, or the start of a classic v-taper, a set of muscular shoulders is one the most common aesthetic goals for many lifters. That's not to mention ... Continue Reading
11 Loaded Carry Variations Worth Trying
Picking up two dumbbells and walking around might not appear to be anything special. It looks too easy. No challenge at all, maybe some cardio and working your grip a little bit. But once you start taking ... Continue Reading
Forced Reps — What They Are and How to Use Them
"Good things come after failure. You just have to keep working." In any other context, this statement reads as banal self-help advice. But relative to lifting, it’s sage wisdom gleaned from bodybuilders ... Continue Reading
