Elevated Short Step Lunges

Elevated Short Step Lunges

Use this exercise to build amazing quadriceps! Word of advice: The higher the box, the more quad engagement you will experience.

Main Muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Gluteus Maximus

Key Points:

– Keep your chest up, back arched and core tight

– Begin standing with both feet on the box, so that you can lunge off of it onto the floor

– Lunge so that your back knee lines up with your leading heel

– Keeping your bodyweight on your leading heel and your back arched, take your chest towards your thigh until you feel your quadriceps engage

– Push your heel through the floor to drive yourself back on to the box

– Train both sides evenly

Elevated Reverse DB Lunges

Elevated Reverse DB Lunges

 

Lunging from an elevated surface on to the floor allows for a deeper lunge, which means more engagement for the gluteus muscles.

Main Muscles: Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Key Points:

– Keep your chest up, back straight and core tight

– Begin standing with both feet on the box, so that you can lunge backwards onto the floor

– Bend the toes of your back foot and tap your knee to the floor without resting

– Push the heel on your front leg through the box to drive yourself upwards

– Train both sides evenly

Box Squat

Box Squat

 

Over time, the box squat will help improve the position of the pelvis and lumbar (lower) spine while squatting. Doing so will ensure that the correct muscles are being worked and prevent injury.

Main Muscles: Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Key Points:

– Keep your chest up, ass out and core tight

– Make sure the bar is resting on your traps rather than your neck

– Push your ass towards the box and rest 20% of your body weight on it before driving yourself back upwards

– Push your heels through the floor on the ascent

Climbing Plank

Climbing Plank

 

The climbing plank is an intermediate level exercise for core. You will require some basic chest and shoulder strength, but once you are up to an intermediate level, climbing is a great way to advance the movement.

Main Muscles: Rectus Abdominis, Transverse Abdominis

Key Points:

– Keep your back straight & core tight

– Make sure that your hips don’t sink too low or rise too high – your body should be as straight as a board

– Begin with your elbows underneath your chest and push yourself up onto your hands one at a time and repeat

 

Try this variation!:

https://immortal-training.com/plank-row/

 

Overhead Squat

Overhead Squat

 Overhead Squat

The overhead squat is probably the most difficult two-legged squat to master, as it is an advanced move that requires strict form and a lot of core strength.

Main Muscles: Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Inner Core, Quadriceps

Key Points:

– Take a wide grip outside of shoulders width

– Lock your elbows

– Keep your core tight, ass out, chest high and back straight

– Squeeze your shoulder blades together throughout the movement while balancing the bar overhead

– Keep your bodyweight on your heels

– Squat ass-to-the-grass

Single Leg Resistance Band Wood Chop

Single Leg Resistance Band Wood Chop

 

This one legged wood chop is designed to engage the deep muscles in your core and in/around the spine. Focus on balance and use a slow, controlled movement.

Main Muscles: Obliques & Inner Core

Key Points:

– Attach the resistance band to a stable apparatus such as a squat rack or cable machine

– Keep your core tight and chest high

– Stand on the leg that is closest to the post where the band is attached

– Extend your arms and lock your elbows with hands in front of your solar plexus

– Keep your head straight while twisting your body

– Draw a quarter circle around your body with your hands when twisting from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock and then 12 o’clock to 9 o’clock on the opposite side

– Train both sides evenly