Frankie Valli’s Grease is a blast from the past—and a fitting song for the reverse hyper. Why? Because most people “blast” out of the bottom of the movement and launch the lever arm into orbit. Don’t do that! Control the movement. Maintain constant contact with the ankle pad throughout the entire range for optimal results….
The Single-Leg Cable Romanian Deadlift is a deceptive exercise. Judy makes it look easy in the video, but don’t be fooled—it’s much more challenging than it appears. This variation fires up your stabilizers from the foot all the way up to the hip and beyond. It doesn’t take much weight to get a solid training…
Triceps extensions typically provide maximum overload when your forearms are parallel to the floor. However, performing them on a slight incline with cable resistance keeps constant tension on the triceps throughout the entire range of motion. This setup is especially effective because the cable increases resistance in the contracted position—something most free-weight variations lack. Be…
The California press is a cross between a close-grip bench press and a lying triceps extension. It targets the triceps in a unique and highly effective way. I prefer to use a reverse-band setup for this exercise. The bands offload tension at the bottom of the movement, reducing stress on the triceps tendons. As you…
Here’s a great triceps exercise I’m currently using: the high-pulley overhead triceps extension. It’s performed bent-over in a lunge position using a rope. As you extend the elbows, flare the hands outward and pause briefly in the contracted position. On the return, make sure your forearms make contact with your biceps to achieve a full…
The walking dumbbell lunge is a great exercise to do during a body composition phase, but as the weights go up, your grip will fatigue before your legs do. One way around it is to use a heavy weighted vest with lighter dumbbells. For more training tips and workarounds, check out 5 Exercise Problems and…
Believe it or not, many lifters get injured not during a set, but while getting in and out of position—either before the exercise starts or after it ends! The lying dumbbell press is a classic example. It can be tricky, especially when you’re handling heavy weights. Unless you have two strong, experienced spotters to hand…
Some people think the Standing Rope French Press is some kind of specialty coffee. It’s not… it’s an excellent elbow-friendly exercise that emphasizes the long head of the triceps. Make sure to keep your glutes tensed and core braced throughout the set. Get your biceps as close to your ears as possible, and lower the…
The half-kneeling rope woodchop and reverse woodchop are two exercises that work your obliques in a “spine-friendly” manner. These anti-rotational movements are a solid addition to any program if you want to train your core safely and effectively. Give them a shot!
Curt Richter was a scientist well ahead of his time. His research in the 1930s and ’40s demonstrated how specific behaviors help maintain internal balance—what we now call homeostasis. More than 70 years later, his work may hold the key to better managing diabetes. Take a moment to read this passage carefully. It’s from Curt…