The ball drape is a passive stretch for the upper, mid and lower-back. It’s a very simple exercise to help relieve tightness in the back. Anyone who sits for long periods of time will benefit from performing the ball drape. For more of a stretch try and wrap your body around the ball. It’s important to relax and breath deeply.
The dumbbell chest press performed on the ball is significantly more challenging than the barbell bench press. The ball forces you to stabilize your body while pressing the dumbbells. You are also using you glutes and hamstrings to maintain proper position on the ball. This exercise requires you to focus your attention on using proper technique which helps you get more out of the exercise.
Bent-legged deadlifts strengthen the glutes, hamstrings, spinal extensors and core. It’s important to push the hips back while lowering your trunck during the bent-legged deadlift. This allows you to maintain proper posture and avoid flexing the back which may lead to low back strain. Be sure to contract your core, glutes, and hamstrings at the top of the movement.
The bridge exercise, “bridging” strengthens the glutes and develops core stability. Bridging can be performed anywhere and can be incorporated into your workout as part of your core routine. The basic bridge is an excellent beginner exercise, while the single-leg bridge is ideal for more advanced exercisers. You may also perform the bridge on a Swiss ball or Pilates Reformer machine.
The basic bridge exercise is made more difficult by lifting one leg in the air while the other is planted firmly on the ground. The single-leg bridge is great for developing glute, and hamstring strength and core stability. To progress the single-leg bridge hold the leg extended for a longer periods of time during each workout. The added time will challenge your muscles to stabilize your body as you move the leg.
The Deadlift is an awesome total body exercise. It strengthens your upper back, grip and lower back and legs all at the same time. Regular practice of the Deadlift will reinforce the proper way to lift things and build strength necessary to lift everyday objects, like groceries and suitcases. When performing the Deadlift it is important for you to maintain perfect posture and keep the bar close to your body.
The Dumbbell Swing is a great exercise that can be used as a strength exercise or conditioning exercise. It builds power and endurance in the hips and posterior chain. You can do the Dumbbell Swing on its own or as part of a circuit.
Lunge touchdown alternating legs strengthens and conditions the lower body. This exercise develops and strengthens basic motor patterns. The lunge touchdown is a bodyweight exercise that can be performed at home or in the gym. Adding dumbbells or a medicine ball will increase the difficulty of the exercise.
The rocker board side reach is good for developing core strength and balance. If you don’t have a partner to throw the ball to you, you can throw the ball to yourself by bouncing it off a wall. The real key to this exercise is not to fall off of the rocker board. This exercise is good for basketball, football and other exercises that involve catching a ball and maintaining your balance.
The single arm push up is not for the weak. This exercise challenges your chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and mental toughness. The single arm push up is a favorite of athletes in mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling. The single arm action loads the abdominals and hip flexors for stabilization.
The Squat Thrust is a whole body exercise that taxes the shoulders, arms, and core muscles. This is a great exercise to improve the anaerobic system. Try performing as many reps as possible in a set duration (e.g., 30 seconds). Team up with a training partner for extra motivation.
The push up test is a way to test chest, shoulder, arm and core strength. To start, balance on your hands and knees with your body straight. The goal is to do as many as you can in one minute. Tests like this are a good way to see how fit you are now. When you do it again in the future it will show you how much progress you have made.
Doing push ups with your feet elevated is more challenging than regular push ups. To perform this you simply put your feet on a step, bench or chair. This engages your deltoids more. As your prop gets taller, the exercise gets more challenging. Eventually you may be able to work up to a handstand push up.
The push up with your hands elevated is a beginner version of the push up. As you get stronger you can move your hands down, closer to the ground. The goal is to eventually do regular push ups on the ground. This is a good exercise for beginners or people that have a hard time getting down to the ground.
The push up is a great upper body and core exercise. It does not require any equipment and it can be done anywhere. The push up is a favorite of many military exercise program. Even if you aren’t in the military the push up is a great exercise for over all fitness and conditioning.
The push up on knees is another way to make the push up a little bit easier for those who aren’t strong enough to do a regular push up. When doing this exercise it is important to keep your body straight and you stomach tight. When the push ups on your knees gets too easy you can advance to regular push ups.
The reverse lunge is a great way to shape and strengthen you legs. It is also a great way to change up your routine. The reverse lunge works the muscles in your legs in a different way than the regular lunge. It is a good way to maintain muscular balance. There is no equipment necessary so this exercise can be done anywhere.
The rocker board high side reach is good for developing core strength and balance. If you don’t have a partner to throw the ball to you, you can throw the ball to yourself by bouncing it off a wall. The real key to this exercise is not to fall off of the rocker board. This exercise is good for basketball, football and other exercises that involve catching a ball and maintaining your balance.
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