Strength Training: Exercises, Technique, and Equipment

Explore strength training exercises for pushing, pulling, squatting, and hinging, with practical guidance on technique, equipment, and progression.

Strength training uses resistance to challenge muscles through movements performed with body weight, dumbbells, barbells, cables, or machines. It includes foundational lifts as well as focused variations for different movement patterns.

What does strength training include?

This category covers pushing, pulling, squatting, and hip-hinge exercises, including bench presses, rows, squats, and deadlifts. Select equipment and variations that match your goals, experience, and available space. Braced positioning, controlled reps, and an appropriate load are central to sound practice; coaching can help when technique is uncertain.

Practical guidance

Start with a manageable resistance to learn the movement, then progress gradually. Adjust benches, cables, and machines before each set, and keep a clear area around free weights. Stop if you experience sharp pain or cannot control the movement, and seek qualified technique feedback.

Alternating Biceps Curl with Resistance Band

The alternating biceps curl with a resistance band is an effective exercise for training your biceps, while also engaging stabilizing muscles. The unique advantage of this exercise is that you can easily adjust the resistance by changing the position of your feet, making it a versatile addition to y

Alternating Biceps Hammer Curls with Resistance Band

Looking for an effective exercise to add to your arm workout that strengthens not only your biceps but also your forearms and grip? Try Alternating Biceps Hammer Curls with a resistance band. This variation of the traditional biceps curl emphasizes the long head of the biceps and the brachialis, a d

Alternating Bodyweight Lunges

Alternating Bodyweight Lunges are an effective exercise for strengthening your lower body. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves your balance and coordination. Instructions Start standing with your feet hip-width apart. Take a large step forward with your right f

Alternating Dumbbell Bridge Press

The Alternating Dumbbell Bridge Press is a dynamic exercise that combines strength and stability. By performing a dumbbell press in a bridge position, you activate not only your chest muscles but also your glutes and core for a full-body workout. Execution Lie on your back on a fitness mat, with

Alternating Dumbbell Lunges in Place

The Alternating Dumbbell Lunges in Place is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening and toning your lower body while also improving your balance and coordination. Using dumbbells adds extra resistance, leading to greater muscle activation and ultimately better results. Execution Begin s

Alternating Dumbbell Side Lunge

The Alternating Dumbbell Side Lunge is a dynamic exercise that focuses on improving your strength, balance, and flexibility. The lateral movement trains various muscle groups that are used less intensively during traditional lunges. Execution Start standing with your feet hip-width apart, holdin

Alternating Dumbbell Starfish Crunch

The Alternating Dumbbell Starfish Crunch is a dynamic exercise that targets your core while also improving your coordination and balance. This exercise combines the benefits of a traditional crunch with an extra challenge from using dumbbells, training not only your abdominal muscles but also your a

Alternating Hammer Curls

If you're looking for an effective way to strengthen your biceps and forearms, alternating hammer curls are an excellent choice. This variation of the traditional biceps curl emphasizes the brachialis, a muscle located deeper than the biceps brachii, and the brachioradialis in your forearm. The uniq

Alternating Hamstring Curl With Punch

Looking for a dynamic exercise that challenges both your lower and upper body? Try the Alternating Hamstring Curl With Punch. This exercise combines the strength of a hamstring curl with the explosiveness of a boxing movement, giving you a full-body workout that improves both your strength and coord

Alternating Incline Dumbbell Curls

Alternating incline dumbbell curls are an effective exercise for building strength and mass in your biceps. The incline position stimulates your biceps in a unique way, providing a more intense workout compared with traditional bicep curls. Execution Find an incline bench and set it to an angle

Alternating Leg Downward Dog

Alternating Leg Downward Dog is a dynamic variation of the traditional Downward Dog yoga pose that improves both flexibility and strength. Alternately lifting your legs adds an extra element of balance and strength to the exercise, creating a unique challenge. Execution Begin in a standard Downw

Alternating Leg Lifts

Introduction: Alternating Leg Lifts are an effective exercise for strengthening your core and improving flexibility in your hips. This exercise also helps stabilize the lower back and can be performed anywhere without special equipment. Execution: Lie on your back with your hands under your buttock

Alternating Leg Lifts

Looking for an effective way to strengthen your core while also targeting your leg and abdominal muscles? Alternating Leg Lifts are an excellent choice. This exercise is not only great for building strength, but also helps improve your balance and coordination. Execution: Lie on your back on a

Alternating Leg Raise With Head Up

The Alternating Leg Raise With Head Up is an effective exercise that focuses on strengthening your core and improving your abdominal muscles. This exercise offers a unique combination of muscle activation and stability training, contributing to better posture and core strength. Execution Lie on

Alternating Lunge With Rotation

The Alternating Lunge With Rotation is a dynamic exercise that challenges not only your lower body, but also tests your core and balance. By adding the rotational movement, you add an extra dimension to the traditional lunge, creating a more intensive workout for your muscles. Execution Begin in

Alternating Lunges

Alternating lunges are a fantastic exercise for strengthening and toning your lower body. This exercise offers a unique combination of balance, coordination, and strength, making it a must-do for anyone looking to improve their fitness routine. Execution Begin in a standing position with your fe

Alternating Lying Leg Raise

The Alternating Lying Leg Raise is an effective exercise that targets strengthening your core and defining your lower body. This exercise offers a unique way to train your abdominal muscles, hip flexors, and lower back without requiring heavy equipment. Execution Lie on your back on a comfortabl

Alternating Oblique Sit-Ups

Looking for an exercise that strengthens your core while targeting your obliques? Try Alternating Oblique Sit-Ups. This exercise is a fantastic way to train your abdominal muscles dynamically, with a focus on the obliques. What makes this exercise unique is that it not only improves your core stabil

Alternating Pistol Squat

The Alternating Pistol Squat is an advanced bodyweight exercise that focuses on improving your balance, flexibility, and lower-body strength. This exercise is unique because it trains one leg at a time, which helps identify and correct imbalances between the legs. Execution Begin in a standing p

Alternating Plank Lunge

The Alternating Plank Lunge is a dynamic exercise that improves both your strength and flexibility by combining a plank and a lunge. This exercise offers a unique way to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously while also working on your balance and coordination. Execution Begin in a standar

Alternating Punches

The Alternating Punches exercise is a dynamic movement that not only improves your fitness but also builds upper-body strength and coordination. This exercise simulates a boxer’s punches, making it a fun and effective way to refresh your workout routine. Execution Start in a stable standing posi

Alternating Seated Dumbbell Biceps Curl

The alternating seated dumbbell biceps curl is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining your biceps. Performing this exercise while seated minimizes the chance of cheating with your body, requiring your biceps to work harder. Execution Find a comfortable chair and sit with your feet

Alternating Seated Dumbbell Hammer Curl

The Alternating Seated Dumbbell Hammer Curl is an effective exercise for strengthening and toning your biceps and forearms. This variation, performed while seated, helps you maintain better form and minimizes the chance of cheating by swinging your body. Execution Find a comfortable chair and si

Alternating Single-Leg Raise Plank

The Alternating Single-Leg Raise Plank is a dynamic variation of the traditional plank that improves not only core stability but also the strength and flexibility of your legs. By alternately lifting your legs, you challenge your balance and activate a broader range of muscle groups. Execution B