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Bench Press is one of the three Powerlifting movements, and one of the most common upper body exercises. It’s a fantastic compound exercise that can help you build strength in your chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s a staple in most fitness programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking upper body strength in general.
As with other curls, this isolation exercise targets the biceps. The use of a barbell adds more stability to this movement, and somewhat restricts your range of motion. This added stability means you can focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement. This is a great variation for helping you build strength in your biceps.
Back Squat is one of the three Powerlifting movements, and one of the most common lower body exercises. It’s a great compound exercise that can help build strength and muscle mass in your leg, especially your quadriceps. It’s a staple in most fitness programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking lower body strength in general.
Deadlift is one of the three powerlifting movements. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), and is great for developing strength in these muscles. It’s a staple in most programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking strength.
Close Grip Bench Press is a triceps focused variation on the standard Bench Press. By bringing your hands closer together, you reduce the amount of tension in your chest, and place more of that tension on your triceps. This is a great exercise for working a little bit more triceps into your chest days.
Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation on a standard Bench Press. Similar to Bench Press, this compound exercise primarily targets your chest, but this variation places much more emphasis on your shoulders and upper chest.
Barbell Shoulder Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. By using a barbell instead of other pieces of equipment, you can add more stability to the movement, which allows you to focus more on exertion rather than stability. This is one of the best exercises for developing vertical pressing strength.
Bent Over Barbell row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders, traps, and biceps. The use of a barbell adds more stability to this movement compared to something like dumbbells which can help you focus on exerting strength rather than stabilizing the movement. It’s a great exercise for building strength, and can be a way to start learning more advanced exercises like Olympic Lifts.
Romanian Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Deadlift. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your glutes, and hamstrings. Unlike the standard Deadlift, this variation focuses mostly on driving your hips forward to raise the weight, and restricts movement in your knees. This is a great exercise for building strength, and can translate well to other exercises that utilize a hip hinge.
Similar to other curls, this isolation exercise targets the biceps. Using a reverse grip increases the demand for grip strength, and can be a way to train for functional applications of biceps strength. The use of a barbell adds some stability to the movement when compared to equipment like dumbbells. This added stability means you can focus more on exertion rather than stabilizing the movement.
Upright Row is a variation on the more standard Row. Like other Rows, this is a compound exercise, however this variation primarily targets your traps. The use of a barbell helps to stabilize the movement, allowing you to focus more on exertion than stability. This is a great exercise for developing functional strength, as well as being a great way to improve more advanced exercises like Olympic lifts.
Barbell Hip Thrust is a more challenging, weighted variation of the Hip Thrust. Beyond the added resistance from using a barbell, you’ll also place your shoulder blades on a flat bend in or to raise yourself off the ground. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their Hip Thrusts more challenging.
Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning is a variation on the more standard Good Morning. Like other variations this exercise primarily targets muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), but especially the hamstrings, and lower back. The use of a barbell can help to add more resistance to the exercise, as well as help force you to keep your back straight and chest up. Keeping your legs straight will likely limit your range of motion, but can help further recruit your hamstrings.
Front Squat is one of the most common variations of the more standard Back Squat. Like other squat variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your quadriceps. By racking the bar in front of your body instead of behind, you can further emphasize your quads. While the movements are fairly similar, Front Squat may translate better to applications in sports and other real world activities.
Good Morning’s are a compound exercise that primarily target muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), but especially the hamstrings, and lower back. While this can be an effective exercise, there is some risk to performing this exercise with a loaded barbell on your back. If you’re unfamiliar with this exercise, try starting with a dumbbell variation as you learn the movement.
Front Plate Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the anterior deltoid (front of the shoulder). By using a weight plate, you ensure an even distribution of weight, which can help maintain consistency throughout the movement. This exercise is great for emphasizing the front of your shoulder and adding some variety to your shoulder workouts.
Barbell Shrug is a variation on the more standard Dumbbell Shrug. Like other shrugs, this is an isolation movement that primarily targets your traps. The use of a barbell over dumbbells adds stability to the movement. This allows you to focus more on exertion than stability. The barbell also forces you into an overhand instead of a neutral grip.
Barbell Decline Bench Press is a variation on the standard Barbell Bench Press. Like the standard Barbell Bench Press, this compound exercise primarily targets the chest, but also recruits the triceps and shoulders. Performing this exercise on a decline helps to emphasize the lower part of the chest.
Push Press is a compound explosive exercise that primarily targets the shoulders. It’s most similar to something like a Thruster, but relies much less on the lower body. This is a great exercise for practicing timing for more advanced movements like the Jerk, or simply improving strength and power in your overhead presses.
Similar to other curls, this exercise targets the biceps. The use of a barbell adds some stability to the movement which can help you focus more on exertion rather than stabilizing the movement. This exercise keeps more consistent tension in your biceps throughout the movement by raising the dumbbells in a straight line rather than an arc. More consistent tension makes this a fantastic variation for building muscle mass in your biceps.
Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back, but also hits the biceps and shoulders. The reverse grip can help further emphasize the biceps and recruit different muscles in the back compared to a standard grip. Using a barbell adds stability to the movement, allowing you to focus more on exertion rather than stability.
Barbell Lunge is a weighted variation on the standard Lunge. Similar to other lunges, this exercise primarily targets the quadriceps. By using a barbell you can add more resistance than just bodyweight. In addition to increasing resistance, the use of a barbell can also improve your form and posture while performing this exercise.
Seated Barbell Shoulder Press is a variation on the more standard Shoulder Press. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. By performing this exercise while seated, you add much more stability to the movement, allowing you to focus on exertion rather than stability. In addition, being seated also prevents you from utilizing your legs to assist in moving the weight.
Bulgarian Split Squat is a compound exercise that’s somewhere between a Squat and a Lunge. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. By placing your back leg on a flat bench, you add some instability to the movement, while also further emphasizing your quadriceps. This is a great exercise for developing strength, power and stability in your lower body.
This exercise is a barbell variation of the standard calf raise. Like the standard variation, this exercise primarily targets your calves. The use of a barbell allows you to increase the resistance for this exercise beyond just your bodyweight.
Barbell Glute Bridge is a weighted variation of the more standard Glute Bridge. Like other Glute Bridge variations, this exercise primarily targets your glutes. By placing a barbell across your hips, you can add significantly more resistance than bodyweight alone. This is a great variation for developing both strength and power in your glutes.
Kneeling Squat is a unique variation of the more traditional Squat. This compound exercise primarily targets the quadriceps and glutes. By performing the exercise from a kneeling position, you can eliminate stress on the lower back and knees. This adaptation makes it a great choice for those with mobility issues or anyone looking to focus more intensely on their upper leg muscles without the added complexity of balance.
Rack Pulls are an easier variation on the more standard Deadlift. By placing the bar on a rack, you can restrict your range of motion, and start the movement from a higher point. This is great for anyone with mobility limitations, or who simply want to focus on the top part of their range of motion.
Landmine Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps. The use of the landmine causes the weight to arc towards the chest, rather than move in straight line. This is an excellent exercise for adding some variety to your rows, and is a great way to build muscle mass and strength.
Targeting the quads, glutes, and hamstrings, the Barbell Step Up is a compound exercise that also challenges balance and coordination. Performing this exercise with a barbell increases the resistance, enhancing muscle strength and endurance, making it a valuable addition to lower body workouts.
Power Clean is a compound explosive movement that targets a wide variety of muscle groups. This exercise focuses on quickly lifting a loaded barbell from the ground to your shoulders in a single motion. Due to its explosive nature, it's excellent for developing both strength and power. It's often used in athletic training to improve performance in dynamic activities.
Australian Chin Up is a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the back, biceps, and shoulders. This compound movement is performed from an inclined, horizontal position using a low bar, which makes it easier than standard Chin Ups. The inclined position adds stability, allowing you to focus on muscle engagement and form. It's a great exercise for building strength to progress towards full Chin Ups.
Sumo Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Deadlift. Like other Deadlifts, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), and especially hamstrings and glutes. While this exercise receives some criticism, it’s a perfectly valid choice for building strength, and a great addition to your leg days.
An upper-body compound exercise focusing on the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Performed by lying on the floor and pressing a barbell upwards until the arms are fully extended, then lowering it back down. This movement limits the range of motion compared to a bench press, emphasizing the lockout phase of the press and reducing shoulder strain. Ideal for those looking to build upper body strength and muscle mass while minimizing shoulder joint stress.
Intensifies the traditional back squat by incorporating a pause at the bottom of the squat, targeting the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. This variation increases time under tension, improving muscle strength and depth control. Ideal for athletes and lifters looking to enhance their squat technique and build lower body power, the pause back squat challenges stability and promotes muscle engagement throughout the entire range of motion.
Incline Barbell Skull Crusher is a variation on the more standard Skull Crusher. Like other Skull Crushers, this is an isolation exercise that primarily targets your triceps. By positioning yourself on an incline, you can get more of a stretch in your triceps which can help improve muscle growth. The use of a barbell helps to add stability to the movement, allowing you to focus more on exertion rather than stabilizing the movement.
The Pause Barbell Incline Bench Press is a compound exercise that targets the upper chest, shoulders, and triceps with an added emphasis on improving strength through the bottom portion of the lift. By pausing at the bottom of each rep, this variation increases time under tension and requires greater control and stability, making it more challenging than the traditional incline press. This technique not only enhances muscle hypertrophy and power but also improves the lifter's ability to generate force from a dead stop. Ideal for those looking to break through plateaus in chest and pressing movements, it also contributes to overall shoulder health and stability.
Pendlay Row is a variation on the more standard Barbell Row. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back, but also hits your biceps and shoulders. The key difference is that you reset to the ground between each rep, which helps improve explosiveness and promotes proper form. This is a great exercise for building strength and muscle mass in your back.
Clean is a compound, explosive exercise that targets a wide range of muscle groups including the legs, back, and shoulders. It involves lifting a barbell from the ground to your shoulders in one fluid motion. This exercise improves power, strength, and coordination, and is often used to develop overall athleticism and prepare for more complex Olympic lifts.
Inverted Row is a bodyweight variation on the more standard row. Like other Row exercises, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. The movement itself differs very little from a standard row. The benefit of this variation is that you can perform this exercise with your bodyweight, as well as keep your back completely straight.
The Barbell Ab Rollout is a challenging core exercise that utilizes a barbell to enhance abdominal strength, stability, and endurance. Starting from a kneeling position with hands on the barbell, you roll the barbell forward while keeping your back straight and core engaged, then pull back to the starting position. This movement intensely targets the entire abdominal region, including the rectus abdominis and obliques, while also engaging the shoulders and back. It's an advanced exercise that requires good form and core strength to prevent back strain, offering significant benefits in core stabilization and muscular endurance.
Similar to other curls, this isolation exercise targets the biceps. The use of a barbell adds stability to the movement, which allows you to focus more of your effort on exertion rather than stabilizing the movement. Using a wider grip helps to further recruit the short head of the bicep.
Enhances the traditional back squat by incorporating a small, pulsing movement at the lowest point of the squat. This variation significantly increases time under tension for the glutes, quads, and hamstrings, promoting muscle endurance and growth. The pulsing action challenges the muscles to maintain engagement through a more extended range, leading to improved strength and muscle tone.
Standing Oblique Crunch is a variation of the traditional crunch that is performed from a standing position. This isolation exercise primarily targets the obliques. By performing the movement while standing, you can emphasize stability and balance, which can help in functional strength and core activation. This variation involves bending sideways at the waist to bring the elbow towards the knee, focusing on engaging the oblique muscles effectively.
A variation of the traditional bench press that emphasizes the bottom portion of the lift. This compound exercise targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. By pausing for a brief moment with the barbell at chest level before pressing it back up to full extension, lifters increase time under tension and improve explosive power. This technique not only enhances strength gains by eliminating momentum but also develops control and stability throughout the lift. Ideal for powerlifters, athletes, and anyone looking to improve their bench press technique and overall upper body strength.
An isolation exercise targeting the forearms. This is a great exercise for improving grip strength, or building muscle mass in your forearms.
Lower Back Stretch is a bodyweight flexibility exercise that targets muscles in the lower back. It’s ideal for relieving tension and enhancing flexibility in the lumbar region. By incorporating this stretch into your routine, you can help prevent back pain and improve range of motion. It’s especially beneficial for individuals with sedentary lifestyles or those engaged in heavy lifting.
Primarily focusing on the anterior deltoids, the Barbell Front Raise is an isolation exercise that enhances shoulder strength and muscular endurance. Performing this movement with a barbell ensures a balanced development of the shoulder muscles, contributing to overall shoulder health and aesthetic.
This exercise is a variation on Landmine Row. Similar to Landmine Row, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. By performing this movement with each arm individually, you ensure that you aren’t compensating for any strength discrepancies between sides, as well as adding more instability to the movement.
Introduces a pause at the bottom of the front squat to increase time under tension and improve depth and form. This exercise targets the quads, glutes, and core, enhancing strength and stability in the lower body.
Palms Down Barbell Wrist Curl is an isolation exercise that targets the forearm. By positioning your forearm against a bench or other flat surface, you restrict any motion to your wrist. The use of a barbell helps to add some stability to the movement, as well as allowing you to perform the exercise with both sides moving a single weight.
Clean Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Deadlift. Like other Deadlift variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), especially the glutes and hamstrings. Unlike a standard deadlift, the form for this variation is based on the Clean. This is a great exercise for improving your floor pull for Cleans.
Enhances lower body strength by focusing on the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Performed by squatting down to a box at parallel or slightly lower, then driving upwards. This exercise builds power and improves squat technique by encouraging a pause at the bottom.
The Stiff-Legged Deadlift is a compound exercise that primarily targets the hamstrings, lower back, and glutes. By keeping the legs relatively straight throughout the movement, it places an increased emphasis on hamstring stretch and engagement, promoting muscle strength and growth in the posterior chain. This variation also aids in improving flexibility and enhancing core stability. It's a valuable exercise for those looking to develop lower body power and posture, as well as for athletes seeking improved performance in activities requiring strong and flexible hamstrings.
Strengthens the legs and improves balance by isolating one leg at a time. Performed by stepping one leg forward and lowering the body until the back knee nearly touches the ground, it aids in developing unilateral leg strength and stability.
Landmine Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. The use of a landmine allows you to press the weight up and forward instead of only up. This can be a huge advantage for developing strength for sports or other functional applications.
The Pause Barbell Decline Bench Press is a compound exercise targeting the lower chest, triceps, and anterior deltoids, incorporating a pause at the bottom to intensify muscle engagement and control. This variation adds a significant challenge by increasing time under tension and improving explosive power from a dead stop, making it more demanding than its traditional counterpart. The decline angle emphasizes the lower pecs, while the pause strengthens the lifter's ability to overcome inertia, enhancing muscle growth, strength, and the ability to initiate movement from a complete stop. It's particularly beneficial for athletes seeking to enhance their bench press technique and power output.
Landmine Romanian Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Romanian Deadlift. Like other Romanian Deadlifts, this is a compound movement that primarily targets the hamstrings and glutes. The use of a landmine can add a small amount of stability to the movement compared to other equipment.
A compound exercise targeting the lower body and shoulders. By squatting with the landmine bar and pressing it overhead upon standing, it enhances full-body strength, coordination, and engages core muscles for stability.
This compound exercise combines the strength-building benefits of the deadlift with a calf raise to target the posterior chain and calves simultaneously. Starting with a traditional deadlift to engage the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, the movement transitions into a calf raise at the top, enhancing lower leg strength and stability. Ideal for those looking to maximize their workout efficiency, this variation also improves balance and postural support.
Focuses on explosive power and coordination, targeting the legs, hips, and shoulders. Performed by lifting the barbell from the hanging position to the shoulders in one fluid motion, it develops functional strength and improves athletic performance.
A unilateral shoulder and upper body exercise that utilizes the landmine apparatus for a unique pressing angle. By pressing a barbell with one arm at a time, it targets the shoulders, triceps, and core, emphasizing stability and balance. This variation allows for focused strength development on one side of the body, helping to correct imbalances and enhance coordination. Ideal for athletes and individuals seeking to improve shoulder strength, stability, and functional movement patterns, the Single Arm Landmine Press offers a safe and effective way to press overhead while minimizing joint stress.
Integrates deep partial squats at the bottom of the traditional back squat to place greater emphasis on leg strength and mobility. This challenging variation pushes the muscles to work harder in a lower range of motion, increasing muscle activation and improving overall squat depth and performance. It's particularly effective for athletes looking to enhance their lower body power and resilience.
Barbell Behind The Back Shrug is a variation on the more common Barbell Shrug. Similar to other Shrugs, this is an isolation exercise that primarily targets your traps. By positioning the barbell behind your body instead of in front can help keep your shoulders in the proper position.
Hang Power Clean is a variation on the Clean. Similar to the Clean, this compound explosive movement targets a wide range of muscle groups. The difference between a Hang Clean and a standard Clean is the starting position. By beginning from a hang position instead of the floor, this can be an easier variation for anyone struggling with the initial pull from the floor, or for someone looking to improve aspects of their Clean after the initial pull.
The Landmine Core Rotation is a dynamic exercise targeting the entire core, with a particular focus on the obliques, by utilizing a barbell anchored in a landmine attachment or securely in a corner. Standing perpendicular to the bar, hold the end of the barbell with both hands near your chest. Rotate your torso, swinging the barbell from one side to the other in a controlled manner, engaging your core throughout the movement. This exercise not only strengthens and tones the abdominal muscles but also enhances rotational power and stability, making it beneficial for athletes and individuals looking to improve functional movement patterns.
Targets explosive power and coordination by lifting the barbell from the hang position directly overhead in one fluid motion. This exercise develops functional strength and improves Olympic lifting skills.
The Power Snatch is an explosive and technical Olympic lift that works the entire body, emphasizing power, speed, and coordination. Starting from the floor, the lift involves rapidly pulling the barbell overhead in one smooth motion, catching it in a partial squat before standing fully. This movement targets the posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes, and lower back), shoulders, and traps, while significantly engaging the core for stability. It's highly effective for developing athletic performance, enhancing explosive strength, and improving neuromuscular coordination. Suitable for experienced lifters, the Power Snatch requires precision in technique for maximum effectiveness and injury prevention.
A unique compound exercise that targets the upper chest, triceps, and shoulders with an emphasis on the upper pectoral muscles. Performed by gripping the barbell with an underhand (supinated) grip and pressing it upwards from the chest, this variation alters the angle of force and increases activation of the upper chest compared to the traditional bench press. The reverse grip also places greater emphasis on the triceps, making it beneficial for those looking to enhance upper body strength with a focus on the upper chest and arm definition. It requires careful attention to form to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Barbell Seated Calf Raise is a variation on the more standard Calf Raise. Like other Calf Raises, this is an isolation exercise that targets your calves. By performing this exercise while seated, you add significantly more stability to the movement since you don’t need to worry about balancing to stay standing. This can help you focus more of your attention on exertion rather than stability.
The Olympic Squat is a variation of the more standard Back Squat. Like other Squats, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. This variation will have you keep your torso up more than other variations. This can help improve range of motion, and further recruit your quadriceps.
A horizontal pull-up variation that targets the back, shoulders, and biceps with the body positioned under a bar. This exercise is excellent for beginners or as a way to focus on back muscle endurance and technique.
This variation of the traditional barbell curl introduces a pause at the peak contraction to significantly increase time under tension and enhance bicep engagement. By emphasizing the pause, it demands greater control and intensifies muscle activation, leading to improved muscle hypertrophy and strength. Suitable for those aiming to target bicep growth with added intensity.
Box Front Squat is a variation on the more standard Front Squat. This compound exercise primarily targets the quadriceps. By using a box, you can more easily control your depth which can help improve form and consistency of your Front Squats. Additionally, pausing on the box can help develop strength and power from the bottom of the squat.
Landmine Single Leg Romanian Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Romanian Deadlift. Like other variations, this is a compound movement that primarily targets the glutes and hamstrings. Performing this exercise on one leg, is a great way to identify, and help address, discrepancies in mobility, strength, and stability between sides. The use of a landmine adds a bit more stability to the movement compared to other single leg variations.
Behind the Neck Push Press is a variation on the more standard Push Press. Like the Push Press, this exercise is a compound explosive movement that primarily targets the shoulders. By keeping the barbell behind your neck you can help improve muscle activation in your shoulders, however it also places much more strain on your rotator cuff.
Targets the inner thighs, glutes, and quads with a wider stance than the traditional squat. This exercise improves flexibility and strength in the hips and legs, suitable for building muscle and enhancing lower body power.
Combining the Romanian Deadlift with a shrug at the top of the movement targets the posterior chain and then focuses on the traps and upper back. This variation strengthens and stretches the hamstrings and glutes before isolating the traps with a shrug, enhancing overall back strength and posture. Ideal for those looking to improve both lower and upper posterior chain development.
Holding the barbell overhead during lunges adds a significant stability challenge, engaging the shoulders, core, and hips, in addition to the primary leg muscles. This full-body exercise enhances posture, core strength, and lower body power, offering a comprehensive workout that improves functional fitness.
Utilizes the landmine setup to engage the lower body and core with a unique angle of resistance that differs from traditional squats. This exercise targets the quads, glutes, and hamstrings while requiring the core to stabilize the body throughout the movement. The landmine squat is excellent for individuals looking to vary their squat routine, improve functional strength, and focus on form and technique without the need for a squat rack.
This hybrid exercise combines the hamstring and glute focus of the Romanian Deadlift with the upper back engagement of the Bent-Over Row. After completing the RDL, the lifter transitions into a row at the bottom of the movement, effectively targeting both the lower and upper body in one sequence. It's an efficient workout for those aiming to strengthen their posterior chain and enhance back muscle definition.
Elevates the clean and press by focusing on the explosive nature of the power clean movement before transitioning into an overhead press. This variation demands and develops a high level of coordination, full-body strength, and explosive power, making it particularly beneficial for athletes in sports requiring dynamic movements. The power clean phase emphasizes speed and power from the floor to the catch position, while the press phase works on overhead strength and stability.
A grip strength exercise involving holding weight plates between the fingers and thumb. This is a great exercise for improving grip strength.
The Snatch Deadlift is a variation of the traditional deadlift, tailored specifically to improve the pulling phase of the snatch lift. It employs a wider grip, mimicking the snatch setup, which emphasizes the engagement of the posterior chain muscles—hamstrings, glutes, and lower back—while also strengthening the upper back, traps, and grip. This exercise enhances the lifter's ability to generate power from the ground, crucial for successful snatch execution. Ideal for weightlifters looking to improve their snatch technique, the Snatch Deadlift also offers benefits in terms of overall strength, stability, and postural control.
A compound exercise that combines a front squat with an overhead press, engaging the legs, core, and upper body in one fluid movement. This exercise builds full-body strength and power, enhancing cardiovascular fitness and coordination. Ideal for those looking to increase functional fitness and perform intense, efficient workouts, the Thruster challenges multiple muscle groups and energy systems simultaneously.
A dynamic Olympic weightlifting movement that combines a clean, to bring the barbell from the ground to the shoulders, with a jerk, to press the bar overhead. This exercise develops explosive power, full-body strength, and coordination, making it essential for athletes looking to improve performance in power and strength sports.
The Hang Power Snatch is a dynamic Olympic weightlifting movement that develops explosive power, full-body coordination, and agility. Performed by lifting the barbell from the hang position (just above the knees) to an overhead position in one fluid motion, it emphasizes the use of hip drive and shoulder stability. This exercise targets the posterior chain, shoulders, and traps, while also engaging the core muscles for stability throughout the lift. Ideal for athletes and individuals looking to improve their explosive strength and power, the Hang Power Snatch also enhances proprioception and neuromuscular efficiency, beneficial for a wide range of sports and physical activities.
The Sumo Deadlift High Pull is a compound exercise that combines the wide stance of a sumo deadlift with a high pull, targeting the legs, glutes, back, shoulders, and arms. This movement begins with a wide-legged stance, lifting the barbell from the ground and then pulling it to chin height with elbows high. It emphasizes power, strength, and coordination, enhancing muscle engagement across the posterior chain and upper body. Ideal for building explosive strength and improving functional fitness, this exercise also promotes cardiovascular health when performed at a higher intensity.
This lunge variation targets the glutes and thighs from unique angles, emphasizing the gluteus medius and promoting hip stability. The barbell adds a strength component to the movement, making it ideal for developing lower body power and muscle definition, as well as improving balance and coordination.
Combines a power clean with a thruster (squat to overhead press), targeting the legs, shoulders, and arms. This compound exercise improves explosive strength and cardiovascular fitness.
Utilizes the landmine setup for a sumo squat, adding a unique angle and resistance. This exercise targets the glutes, quads, and inner thighs, improving lower body strength and stability.
A technical Olympic lift that requires lifting the barbell from the ground to overhead in one swift movement. It enhances full-body strength, power, and coordination, ideal for advanced lifters focused on improving explosive movements.
This exercise is a variation on the more standard Dumbbell Row. Similar to other variations, this is a compound movement that primarily targets your back. The use of a landmine causes you to raise the weight in an arc, up and slightly away from your torso at the top of the movement. By targeting each side independently, you can ensure that you aren’t compensating for any weakness between sides.
Muscle Snatch is a variation on the more common Snatch. Like other Snatch variations, this is a compound exercise, however this variation is not nearly as explosive as others by design. By slowing down the movement, this is a great exercise for learning form, and developing the strength needed to perform a Snatch. While this exercise is usually used as a way to practice and improve your Snatch, it’s a perfectly valid exercise to include even if you don’t plan on training for Olympic lifts.
Improves explosive power and shoulder strength by driving the barbell overhead with a slight knee bend and straightening the legs to complete the lift. This exercise enhances overhead lifting technique and full-body coordination.
A dynamic compound lift that marries the clean with an overhead press, engaging the legs, core, shoulders, and arms to improve overall strength and power. Starting with the clean to bring the barbell from the ground to a front rack position, it transitions into a press to lift the weight overhead. This exercise not only builds muscle mass across major muscle groups but also enhances athletic performance by teaching the body to move weights efficiently through different planes of motion.
Strengthens the legs, core, and shoulders by squatting with the barbell held overhead. This exercise challenges balance and mobility, improving overall body strength and stability.
Merging the Romanian Deadlift with a High Pull incorporates a dynamic pull into the exercise, engaging the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, followed by the traps, shoulders, and upper back. This combination not only builds lower body strength but also improves explosive power and upper body muscle engagement, suitable for athletes and individuals focusing on functional strength.
Zercher Squat is a variation of the more standard Front Squat. Similar to Front Squats, this compound exercise primarily targets your quads. Unlike other squat variations, this exercise requires you to hold the barbell in the crook of your arm. This is a great way to mimic some functional applications that other squat variations may not. In addition this exercise can improve back and lower back strength to help improve other types of squats.
A variation of the clean that eliminates the need for a "catch" phase by requiring the lifter to pull the barbell directly to the shoulders without dropping under it. This exercise emphasizes upper body strength, particularly in the shoulders and arms, and improves pulling mechanics and explosiveness. Suitable for those focusing on technique and strength building in Olympic lifting movements.
Combining elements of the deadlift, upright row, and shrug, the Barbell High Pull is a dynamic exercise that targets the upper back, shoulders, and traps, while also engaging the hips and legs. This movement enhances power, strength, and coordination, making it beneficial for those looking to improve their performance in explosive, compound movements.
Plate Flip is an explosive exercise that forces you to toss a relatively light plate into the air, and then catch the opposite side of the lip in the same hand. By tossing the plate into the air, this becomes a more explosive exercise than simply moving the weight up and down. In addition, the catch helps you improve coordination, as well as stability and control as you have to slow the plate down in order to actually catch it.
Enhances explosive leg power and overhead strength by splitting the legs into a lunge position while jerking the barbell overhead. This exercise improves stability, coordination, and lifting efficiency.
Clean Pull is a variation, or more accurately, a piece of the more standard Clean. This compound movement targets a wide variety of muscle groups. The exercise itself focuses on the pull from the floor and driving your hips forward to explosively raise the bar. This is a great exercise for anyone working towards performing a full Clean.
Develops speed, power, and stability by dropping into a squat while pressing the barbell overhead. This exercise improves overhead squat technique and strengthens the shoulders and legs
This lunge variation adds a pause at the bottom of each rep, increasing leg muscle activation and stability demand. The pause enhances time under tension, boosting strength and endurance in the quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and improving balance and coordination, making it a more challenging version of the traditional lunge.
This exercise is an easier variation of the more standard Power Clean. Like other Clean variations, this is a compound explosive movement that targets a wide variety of muscles. By placing the barbell on blocks, you can remove the need to pull from the floor. This can help individuals with mobility limitations perform this exercise, or help focus on other aspects of your Power Clean beyond the first pull from the floor.
By elevating the platform, this variation of the Romanian Deadlift (RDL) significantly increases the range of motion, targeting the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back with enhanced intensity. The elevated position promotes a deeper stretch and greater muscle activation, making it a powerful exercise for improving posterior chain strength and flexibility.
Specifically targets the traps, shoulders, and legs by executing a high pull with the barbell to chest level, maintaining high elbows after performing the clean. This exercise is crucial for developing explosive power and enhancing the transition phase in Olympic lifting. It also significantly improves grip strength and the ability to generate force through the legs and hips, contributing to better performance in all forms of lifting.
This exercise combines a calf raise and a shrug. It’s often used as a way to work towards Olympic lifts, or improve certain aspects of those exercises. It’s an effective exercise for building explosiveness in both your calves and traps.
Snatch Pull is a variation, or more accurately, a piece of the more standard Snatch. Like other Snatch variations, this exercise is a compound, explosive movement. While this exercise is most often used to help improve your Snatch, it’s a perfectly valid exercise, even if you aren’t looking to train with the full movement.
Snatch High Pull is a variation, or more accurately, a piece of the more standard Snatch. Like other Olympic lifts, this exercise is a compound, explosive exercise that targets a wide range of muscle groups. While this exercise is most often used to help improve your Snatch, it’s a perfectly valid exercise, even if you aren’t looking to train with the full movement.
Performing deadlifts on an elevated platform increases the range of motion, allowing for a deeper stretch in the hamstrings and glutes at the start of the lift. This variation intensifies the engagement of the posterior chain and can aid in developing greater lower body strength and flexibility. Suitable for experienced lifters, it requires good form and flexibility to execute safely.
Landmine Press and Catch is a variation on the Landmine Press. Similar to the Landmine Press, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. By raising the weight with one side at a time, you add more instability to the movement, as well as ensure that you aren’t compensating for any discrepancies in strength between sides.
Front Rack Stretch is a stretch that involves positioning a barbell in the front rack position, and alternating raising your elbows on the other side of the bar. This is a great stretch for improving mobility in your shoulders and triceps, and can be a great way to help improve your ability to perform exercises that require a front rack position.
The Snatch-Grip Deadlift is a variation of the conventional deadlift that uses a wider grip, similar to that of a snatch lift. This adjustment increases the range of motion and places greater emphasis on the posterior chain, including the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, as well as the upper back and traps due to the wider grip. The wider stance and grip require improved grip strength and enhance overall body mechanics and posture. Ideal for athletes looking to strengthen the muscles involved in Olympic lifting or for those seeking to add variety to their deadlift routine, the Snatch-Grip Deadlift is a powerful exercise for developing lower body power, upper back strength, and enhancing flexibility.
Merges the dynamic lifting phase of the power clean with the stability and strength challenge of the front squat. This combination exercise improves transitional efficiency between lifts, enhancing overall strength, power, and fluidity in movement. It's an effective training tool for athletes and lifters who wish to maximize their explosive lifting capabilities and squat strength in a cohesive, functional movement pattern.
Cluster is a variation of two exercises, the Clean and the Thruster. This compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps, but also hits a wide variety of muscle groups throughout the body. By performing a Thruster after your Clean, you can get some of the explosive benefits of a Thruster in a way that easily translates to your Clean and Jerk. This is a great exercise for anyone looking to improve their Clean, or develop power in general.
This exercise is an easier variation of a Clean. Like other Cleans, this is a compound explosive movement that targets many different muscle groups. By placing the barbell on blocks, you can remove the need to pull from the floor. This can help individuals with mobility limitations perform this exercise, or help focus on other aspects of your Clean beyond pulling the bar off the floor.
Merges the Bulgarian split squat with an explosive plyometric jump, targeting leg strength and power while improving unilateral balance and coordination. This advanced exercise variation not only increases lower body muscle endurance and strength but also develops explosive power, which is essential for athletes involved in sprinting, jumping, and dynamic sports.
This exercise is an easier variation of the more standard Power Snatch. Similar to other Snatch variations, this is a compound explosive exercise that hits a wide range of muscle groups. By placing the barbell on blocks, you can remove the need to pull from the floor. This can help individuals with mobility limitations perform this exercise, or help focus on other aspects of your Power Snatch beyond the first pull from the floor.
The Split Snatch is a variation of the traditional snatch that incorporates a split jerk-like leg position in the catch phase. This exercise combines the explosive lift of the snatch with the dynamic footwork of the split, requiring exceptional coordination, balance, and power. The athlete lifts the barbell overhead in one smooth motion, simultaneously splitting the legs into a lunge position to catch the bar. This technique targets the same muscle groups as the classic snatch—posterior chain, shoulders, and core—while significantly enhancing stability and flexibility in the lower body. Ideal for lifters looking to improve their snatch technique or overcome limitations in squat mobility, the Split Snatch offers a challenging yet effective way to develop full-body strength and athletic performance.
A compound movement that combines the front squat with a jerk, challenging the legs, core, and shoulders. This exercise sequence enhances full-body strength, explosive power, and improves Olympic lifting technique by requiring a smooth transition from a strong squat to a powerful overhead lift. It's particularly useful for athletes and lifters aiming to develop their clean and jerk performance, as it simulates the movement pattern while also building foundational strength.
The Power Snatch to Overhead Squat combines explosive lifting with deep squatting, enhancing full-body strength, flexibility, and coordination. Starting with a Power Snatch to lift the barbell overhead, it transitions into an Overhead Squat, maintaining the bar's position. This exercise targets the posterior chain, shoulders, and core, while the squat increases leg strength and mobility. Ideal for advanced lifters, it boosts athletic performance and functional fitness.
Combines the clean pull's emphasis on explosive leg and hip drive with the hang clean's focus on speed and coordination, enhancing overall power and efficiency in Olympic lifting techniques.
Focuses on the snatch technique from an elevated starting position, reducing the lift's range and emphasizing the explosive phase. Ideal for improving form, power, and speed in the snatch.
A technical variation of the clean that introduces a split leg stance during the catch phase to enhance stability, coordination, and power. This demanding movement pattern challenges the lifter to maintain balance and control while receiving the bar in a dynamic position, thereby improving athletic abilities and lifting techniques. The split stance helps distribute the weight and reduce the demand on squat depth, making it a valuable tool for lifters with mobility restrictions.
Combines the snatch pull's emphasis on the initial explosive pull with the precision of the low hang snatch. This exercise enhances power, coordination, and technique in the snatch movement.