The overhead press and the skull crusher are both weightlifting techniques that work the triceps brachii muscles. The triceps brachii are arm muscles with three separate points of entry, or heads. These muscles run the length o...
Upper-body isometric exercises can be performed as part of your strength-training program or can be used to rehabilitate an injury. Isometric exercise causes the muscles to activate, but they stay at a constant length; they don...
Open-chained exercises are where your extremities are freely moving, while in a closed-chain exercise your extremities are in a fixed position. Open-chained exercises in the upper extremities allow you to isolate muscles of the...
Because the arches are flexible, they can absorb shock and transfer your body weight as you move. However, limited mobility in the joints and soft tissue of the foot reduce its efficiency, make walking painful and reduce the f...
Because the sartorius assists with a variety of motions, exercises to adequately and thoroughly stretch and strengthen it must be varied as well. To help prevent injury during a targeted sartorius workout, warm up for 10 minute...
By trying different machines, the weight lifter can design several different workout routines to perform on a regular basis. The weight lifter should try to do three sets of 10 to 12 repetitions for each exercise that he perfor...
Both the shoulder and incline press work many of the same muscles of your upper body. The recruitment of your chest and upper back differs between exercises, and you can use more weight performing an incline press. Both lifts c...
The advent of cable weight machines changed the way people develop their lateral muscles. At one time, developing your lats was done with pullups that use your body weight as resistance. Today, cable machines allow you to devel...
This symptom can follow a traumatic brain injury, stroke or congenital disorder affecting the brain. A combined approach is taken towards treating spasticity, with use of physical and occupation therapy, splints and even medica...
Freestyle swimmers are known for their V-shaped torso – broad shoulders and narrow hips – physical proof that this stroke relies on extreme upper-body strength. However, the legs and torso still play an important ro...
The term "skullcrusher" may sound intimidating to say the least, but in fact refers to a simple and effective exercise that works the triceps muscles running along the backs of your upper arms. While the exercise is relatively ...
Whether you are trying to develop washboard abs, or simply firming and toning specific areas of your body, a weekly routine of towel exercises may help you achieve your goals.
Getting cut obliques requires you to adopt a proper diet to help you reduce body fat -- as well as performing strength exercises to increase caloric expenditure. Since the internal and external obliques connect to other abdomin...
The muscle is responsible for flexing the elbow. The brachioradialis is especially involved when the forearm is in the neutral position, so that each of your palms are facing toward the sides of your body. You can perform a var...
You can perform these movements using only only your body weight. If you are a beginner, you may have trouble executing the movements due to a lack of strength -- if so, have a spotter on hand to assist you with the movements.
You can shape your back muscles with a series of resistance training exercises involving both free weights and machines. Free weight movements add mass to your back while machine exercises tone up your latissimus, or back, musc...
You can shift the emphasis during a biceps curl exercise to target more of the outer head by using a close underhand grip. You can train your biceps using a variety of equipment, including free weights, machines and cables. Per...
Physical challenges develop your agility, hand-brain coordination and even help your brain work better. Sedentary people have weaknesses that result from a lack of physically challenging activity, because the body only adapts t...
Deadlifts are exercises that primarily target the leg and back muscles. You hold the weighted bar with your hands -- which strengthens the shoulders and arms, as a byproduct -- but most power should be generated from the muscle...
Most rehab and corrective exercise professionals recommend this type of exercise for addressing back pain or any pain related to weight-bearing positions. It is also used in yoga for physical and mental relaxation. Corrective e...
Periodization is the scheduling of volume and intensity of fitness training. If you work out infrequently or train to failure daily, you won't make reliable progress. Proper periodization allows your muscles to recover adequate...
Somatic exercises are movements that integrate your mind and body to help treat a condition. An upper-thoracic hump, also known as kyphosis or a dowager's hump, is an abnormal curvature in the upper back that forces the spine t...
Bodylastics are a type of resistance band which range in weight from 5 lbs to 30 lbs. They can be bought as single bands, or in sets, and come with DVDs, door anchors and detachable handles, enabling you to make a band with up ...
You can slightly shift the concentration of the movement to the lower portion of your thighs by adjusting the angle at which you sit in a leg extension machine. The amount of weight you use during the exercise also determines h...
In the case of thoracic dextroscolosis, this curvature is located among the 12 vertebrae that also serve as connection points for your ribs. These vertebrae are designed to help stabilize and support your internal organs and th...
Recently, Technogym introduced Kinesis, a line of pulley cable weight machines with a great range of movement adaptable to every person, no matter age, gender, size or strength.
Dumbbell training for your chest is relatively easy to perform and learn because of the dumbbells' balance weight and shape. You can perform most dumbbell exercises with one or two dumbbells.
The upper limbs include the shoulders, elbows, arms, wrists and hands. These limbs are extremely important because they allow you to accomplish many of your daily activities. Exercises can help strengthen and increase flexibili...
Yoga uses your body weight to strengthen muscles, including the trapezius. Your trapezius is a diamond-shape muscle in your upper back between your shoulders. The muscle is actively engaged in a variety of yoga poses, allowing ...
Ballistic training is commonly used by athletes to develop explosiveness and power. By accelerating and releasing weight into free space, the athlete's body recruits fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are directly responsible fo...
When swimsuit season approaches, it's time to increase your physical activity level and get in better physical shape. Reshape your shoulders, arms, legs and buttocks with free weights and strength-training machines. If you are ...
When it comes to working the muscles in your upper body, you have numerous exercises to choose from. The goal with training is to target as many major muscle groups as possible to make the fastest progress. The standing militar...
Forward head syndrome is characterized by a slumped posture leading to muscle pain, weakness and spinal abnormalities with age. In fact, according to the website Neck Solutions, for every inch your head moves forward, the weigh...
Use your own body weight or free weights to perform a variety of upper torso movements. In most upper body exercises, you need to incorporate your lower body to help produce force and maintain balance. This allows you to lift m...
Yoga differs from many other forms of exercise in that it attempts to integrate mind and body. Some yoga classes can be more active or meditative than others. To decide whether a yoga class is right for your exercise needs, che...
Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle building or improving athletic performance, you can work your legs, hips, torso and arms with little or no equipment. Use familiar exercises to create efficient, non-weighted workouts.
Using free weights is the best way to build muscle on your upper body. Whether you have a gym membership or just a set of adjustable dumbbells at home, you can choose from a variety of exercises for each area of your upper body...
It probably will take you several weeks or months of strength training to see significant gains in muscle mass, and years to achieve your full potential. Strength training will also raise your body's resting metabolism, helping...
Images of strength training usually include weight machines or free weights. Strength training exercises also include the use of the weight of your body as resistance. The benefit of this type of exercise is that your body is a...
Bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting are not recommended for children and teenagers, because these disciplines place too much stress on developing cartilage, tendons and bones. However, it is safe to improve muscle tone...
Powerlifting is a strength sport where athletes attempt to lift as much weight as possible. Each lifter gets three attempts at each exercise and the winner is the athlete with the largest total. The three lifts contested are th...
Whether you're avoiding food for political, religious or health reasons, fasting is an excellent exercise in willpower. However, doubts exist about whether fasting is safe for the body. Surprisingly, scientific research shows t...
To achieve a shapely, well-toned rear, perform a combination of glute-strengthening exercises at least twice a week coupled with regular aerobic exercise to help blast fat and show off your tight and lifted buttocks.
With all the machines and free weights, it can be overwhelming to decide what exercises to do in a weight room. If you are working the muscles of your upper body, you need to select exercises that target your chest, back and sh...
You carry with you a resistance tool you can use anywhere: your body. When you suspend your body and change the angle at which gravity acts on it, you can vary your training routine and increase your strength.
Free-weight upper body exercises improve your strength and lean muscle tissue. Free-weights give a more rigorous workout as secondary muscles are engaged to balance the barbells and dumbbells -- as you progress through the spec...
The "wing" causes the shoulders to round forward and inhibits your ability to pull your shoulder blades together. It can inhibit your ability to lift, carry, pull and rotate your body. Certain exercise methods can help you redu...
Shrugs and weightlifting usually isolate the muscles associated with your upper back, shoulders, chest and arms. Each workout is performed with a barbell or dumbbells and can give you a full-body workout. Avoid shrugging or lif...
Total-body workouts involve using multiple body parts at once and moving in different directions, such as moving back and forth and rotating. You can use free weights to perform many total-body exercises to spice up your workou...
When a high amount of this fat is stored in the abdomen, your risk for diabetes and heart disease goes up. To lose weight in your belly and all other parts of your upper body, you need to burn calories and perform weight=traini...
You can gain muscle definition and mass in your chest, shoulders, back and arms without using weights or other fitness equipment. Focus on compound movements that incorporate multiple groups of muscles. Before starting an exerc...
The trapezius muscle is responsible for many actions of the shoulder, such as raising or elevating the shoulder into a shrug and retracting the shoulders to draw your shoulder blades towards your spine. Use these exercises to t...
Exercises that make you more graceful can improve your confidence and help you avoid injuries associated with falling, states MayoClinic.com. Gracefulness involves keeping your body in alignment while performing physical activi...
You can do a complete workout for your chest, arms, shoulders and back using only your body weight. Perform eight to 12 repetitions if your goal is muscle-building, and 15 to 20 reps if you want light tone and musc
The Weider 2980X is a compact home gym. It has a single weight stack with a weight range of 10 to 214 lbs. Although you can work out both your legs and upper body on the Weider 2980X, the number of exercises is limited. The sys...
While cosmetic surgery is an option for individuals wanting to reduce their armpit flab, you can save yourself the money and avoid the risks of surgery by eliminating yours through exercise. Get rid of your embarrassing under-a...
Their primary functions are to move your arms away and toward the center of your body and to internally rotate your upper arm like in arm wrestling. These muscles also work with your shoulders, abdominals and back to perform pu...
It usually includes your arm, leg and possibly the face of the affected side. If a brain injury occurs on the right side, the left side of the body is affected. A left-side brain injury affects the right side of the body. Upper...
Chinups are a great exercise for working your back, biceps and core muscles while helping you develop upper body strength, size and endurance. There are many ways in which you can implement chinups into your workout to get bett...
Lymph fluid transports vital nutrients and also eliminates cellular waste. On occasion, your lymphatic system can become blocked. As a result, you may experience depression, weight gain, fatigue, constipation and fatigue. In or...
Using just your body weight, you can work your back, shoulders, chest and arms. Best of all, these exercises can be done at varying levels, enabling you to start at a level that is comfortable for you to advance as you gain str...
Invest in a few hand weights and dumbbells so you can tone, tighten and strengthen your upper body in the comfort of your own home. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have health conce...
Chinups are an effective exercise for building muscle and strength in the upper body. Chinups can be difficult to perform; they require you hold on to a bar, and pull your own body weight all the way up from a dead hang until y...
This is often caused by an excessive backward tilt of the pelvis, which reduces the curve in your lumbar spine. To maintain your center of gravity, your upper body slouches forward and your head sticks forward. This posture cau...
Each gym utilizes a tensioned-resistance system rather than heavy weight plates. Each gym can deliver a full-body workout, but the Soloflex is closer to a traditional free-weight workout. Selecting between the Bowflex and Solof...
Exercises for the shoulders are especially beneficial for developing good posture, releasing tension and increasing blood flow to the upper torso and head. The difference between a basic military press and a behind-the-neck pre...
The handle makes it easier to grip the medicine ball and perform a wide range of motions to work out all major muscle groups. Kettle bells come in various weights and sizes, just like medicine balls. Throwing a kettle bell in s...
Several factors contribute to kyphosis including poor posture, congenital malformations in the spine, and age-related disorders such as osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease. Surgery can correct the condition and exercises...
Your upper abdominal muscles are designed to provide trunk flexion and stability. Trunk flexion is the motion that brings your shoulders closer to your knees. When exercising your upper abdomen focus on trunk flexion exercises ...
The hands, forearms and arms make up the upper extremities. Exercises that involve these areas target multiple muscles, such as the biceps, triceps, deltoids, flexors and extensors. Working the upper extremities will help impro...
Exercises for the upper extremity can strengthen your shoulder after an injury and help you maintain the flexibility in your hands when you have arthritis. Do not execute the following exercises if you feel pain while performin...
Arm and hand dexterity are essential for everyday tasks--everything from feeding yourself to going to the bathroom relies on upper-body strength, mobility and coordination. Children should perform exercises to properly develop ...
In short, an isotonic exercise forces muscles to carry a static weight throughout a range of motion. So basically, any form of weight training, with either free weights or machines, qualifies as isotonic. The common biceps curl...
You don't need weights or a gym membership to engage in fitness training. Perform exercises without machines or fitness equipment that utilize your body weight for resistance to tone and strengthen your muscles. Start by workin...
The rest and recovery time is crucial, as it is during this time that muscles repair. Allowing time for recovery is recommend for exercising certain body parts on alternating days. A common way to split this up is to perform up...
Shrugs are a traditional bodybuilding exercise commonly performed using a barbell to target your upper trapezius muscle. The upper trapezius muscle runs from your shoulder blades up to the base of your skull and is responsible ...
Your lat adducts, extends and internally rotates your shoulder. You use both of your lat muscles while swimming, rowing, cross-country skiing and during pull-ups. All lat exercises recruit the entire muscle, both the upper and ...
If you would like to reduce the size or amount of fat you have gained in your arms, exercise aerobically in conjunction with upper-limb exercises. Exercising your arms and shoulder muscles increases your arm and shoulder streng...
To remedy this situation, you need to focus on building the major muscles in your torso. These include the latissimus dorsi, pectorals and deltoids. The lats are on the back, the pecs are in the chest and the delts are on the s...
If you have a sprained shoulder, have recently had shoulder surgery, or are experiencing pain and discomfort in the area, you may benefit from pendulum exercises. Talk to a doctor if you experience sharp, severe pain in your sh...
Regular physical activity tends to confer a sense of control and heighten your fitness and mood. It also allows you to continue neuromuscular training. Upper extremity pedal exercisers enable you to work your arms, shoulders, c...
Perform hands-free body exercises to improve your health and your life. Regular exercise can help manage high blood pressure and prevent type 2 diabetes. Physical activity stimulates the production of brain chemicals that could...
But bodybuilding isn't just a part-time activity -- effective development of the body's muscles requires not only intense exercise, but lifestyle changes and the full devotion of many aspects of your life, including your diet a...
When joints become stiff and painful, range of motion, or ROM, is limited. To regain ROM, perform exercises that stretch your joints. Range of motion exercises fall into three categories -- active, active assistive and passive....
Stretching exercises increase flexibility; aerobics conditions your heart and lungs; strength training improves your body composition; and calisthenics develops several different abilities. Combining all four of these types of ...
Free weights are easy to use and effective in developing and toning your upper body. You can perform free weight exercises at home using adjustable dumbbells that come with a variety of weight plates, or in a gym using dumbbell...
Exercising with free weights engages your core muscles to stabilize your body, so the exercises are more effective. Free weights give your body an unlimited range of motion, so it is vital to pay attention to your form to avoid...
Sold since 1978, the classic Soloflex machine is marketed as "one machine with many options." Since it's a combination barbell and free body machine, you can complete all the standard weight lifting exercises typically offered ...
This large muscle starts just below the chest and ends in the pelvic area. Any ab exercise you do is going to work your entire rectus abdominis, but you can do exercises that place more emphasis on the upper region. The positio...
Although swinging one around your gym probably isn't safe or allowed, you can exercise with a sledge hammer or outside as you would with free weights such as kettlebells and unilaterally loaded dumbbells.
The chest is comprised of two muscles, the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, according to Bodybuilding.com. Train your chest in three parts to build the top, middle and lower portions of the muscle. Building the upper port...
ProForm 30 refers to the ProForm SR 30 model, a stationary recumbent exercise bike designed for residential use. ProForm is a popular brand of in-home treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines. Icon Health and Fitness ...
The Upper Body Plus workout includes variations of exercises from the first P90X workout. Many of these exercises are nothing new -- push-ups, chin-ups and bicep curls are classic weight lifting exercises. But the Upper Body Pl...
You can combine exercising with free weights and weight machines on a Soloflex Rockit machine. The Rockit gives you the safety of a machine so that you won't need a spotter but the bar moves and slides, so there is some need fo...
When you lift weights, you want to work your lats regularly because they are one of the largest muscle groups in your upper body. Exercises such as pull-ups work the lats, and machines like the lat pull-down also engage this mu
The thigh toner is a small butterfly-shaped exercise piece that strengthens and tones your inner and outer thigh muscles. It also can be used to strengthen your upper body.
When your body converts glucose, a sugar, into energy, pyruvate is formed. One molecule of glucose breaks down into two molecules of pyruvate, and these molecules are used to provide further energy to the cells. Pyruvate unites...
Like most home gyms, the Weider Fitness 8510 is designed to give you a full-body workout. Its main features include a single weight stack, an upright bench, a lat tower, butterfly handles, a bench press arm and a leg attachment...
If you do not like the idea of using free weights and machines, or you are bored and looking for a variation, use body weight exercises. These still require equipment, but it is minimal.
Exercise guru and entrepreneur Richard Simmons lost weight early in life and adopted a mission to share his exercise program with others. Since the 1980s, Simmons has marketed a series of exercise videos that teach his physical...
Children are at high risk for lead poisoning because they like to put things in their mouths, such as their toys. Their small body weight will tolerate less lead than that of an adult. As the lead builds up in their systems, c...
By using these free weights, you give yourself the ability to simulate real-life lifting situations and promote whole-body stabilization, the Mayo Clinic reports. Before trying the latest program you read about in a magazine, b...
As your endurance increases, you will be able to do more repetitions and increase the weight. Use a two-second count to complete each full repetition instead of the traditional four-second count so you can do more reps
As the repetitions get easier, increase the amount of weight used. Before picking up a weight, however, warm up for five to 10 minutes; always consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
America, today, is a fast paced environment and we are all looking for ways to nurture our most precious commodity: time. Functional, multi-muscle exercises are the best way to get an effective upper body workout. Get results f...
You can perform body weight exercises almost anytime and anywhere, preventing excuses like, "I don't have time for the gym," or "Gym memberships cost too much." For a complete upper body workout, all you need is you.
Bodyweight exercises can be as challenging, sometimes more challenging, then free-weight exercises. Bodyweight exercises can be included in an extreme workout, but these exercises are recommended only for people with significan...
Typically, paraplegics have the use of their arms and can perform a wide range of cardiovascular and weight lifting routines. According to the Canadian Paraplegic Association, men over 40 and women older than 50 should consult ...
According to Exercise Goals, kettlebells were invented by Russians for strength and flexibility and now are used for a wide range of strength activities, including muscle building and toning. Some athletes use them as a way t...
After all, you can't grasp a dumbbell or barbell with your toes. But free weights add extra difficulty and intensity to what would otherwise be body-weight resistance exercises for your lower-body muscle groups, including your ...
This piece of equipment can be used to target all of your major muscle groups with the addition of free weights. If you are new to exercise or looking for variations, try using a flat bench and weights to round out your routine.
Machine exercises, such as leg extensions, leg presses and leg curls are commonly done to work the lower body. If you are more into free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, you have multiple exercises to choose from.
If you sit on a ball and your legs form a 90-degree angle, you are seated on the proper size for your height. The ball provides an unstable workout environment, challenges your stabilizer muscles and forces your core muscles to...
These muscles work together in many everyday movements, from walking to running to jumping. You can work your entire lower body effectively using free-weight exercises.
These muscles are more commonly known as the traps, the back of the shoulders and the rotator cuffs--except the rhomboids, which are the muscles that run from the shoulder blades to the spine. Some exercises target the upper back.
Steppers range in features from those that have upper-body handles to those that can increase resistance and incline. Regardless of the stepper model utilized, a variety of benefits are associated with using a stepper.
Composed of a lightweight metal frame, it employs a "patented rocker system" that supports the weight of the upper body "while mimicking spinal flexion." The Ab Trainer is not difficult to use, but as with any exercise, correct...
If you want to lose weight, tone up or get in shape, there is no time like the present to get started. Being physically active will help you manage your weight and look and feel better while reducing your risk of many medical c...
Its center of gravity is about 6 to 8 inches away from your hand, whereas a dumbbell's center is in your hand. This weight displacement causes you to use more stabilizing muscles in your body to produce movement, which makes ke...
In sports and daily activities, your upper body and lower body work together like two salsa dance partners--coordinating movements in balance and rhythm. However, many people train their body is isolation--especially at the gym...
The Body Bar is a black bar, available in various weights, that can be used in several ways to work out your entire body. The Body Bar was created in 1987 and is still widely available in fitness centers around the United State...
The serratus anterior gets its name from its appearance and location: It has jagged edges, like the serrations of a knife, and is located on the front (anterior) of the body. Because of its shape, the muscle is often confused f...
Elliptical trainers are available in most gyms or you can set one up easily in a home workout area. An elliptical trainer mimics the kind of aerobic exercise you can get from running, lifting weights and speed walking all at th...
