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 Standing Dumbbell Biceps Curl

The alternating standing dumbbell biceps curl is a popular strength exercise that targets the development of the biceps. This exercise offers the unique advantage of training each arm separately, which promotes balanced muscle development and allows you to focus on the form of each arm. Execution

Alternating Standing Dumbbell Hammer Curl

The alternating standing dumbbell hammer curl is an effective exercise for strengthening your biceps and forearms. This exercise offers a unique variation on the traditional biceps curl by using a different grip, resulting in targeted training of different muscle fibers. Execution Start by stand

Alternating Step Out

The Alternating Step Out is a dynamic exercise that focuses on improving your balance, coordination, and lower-body strength. This exercise is unique because it challenges both your stability and endurance while requiring minimal equipment and being performable anywhere. Execution Begin in a sta

Alternating Toe Tap

The Alternating Toe Tap is a dynamic exercise that focuses on improving your coordination, balance, and lower-body strength. This exercise is unique because it not only trains your muscles but also boosts your cardiovascular system without requiring heavy equipment. Execution Begin in a standi

Ankle Dorsiflexion

This exercise is a great way to improve the flexibility and strength of your ankles. It is especially useful for athletes, but also for anyone who wants to increase their ankle stability. Ankle Dorsiflexion helps prevent injuries by promoting better mobility and strength in the lower limbs. Executi

Ankle Plantar Flexion

Want to improve the strength and flexibility of your ankles? Ankle Plantar Flexion is a simple yet effective exercise that targets the lower part of your legs, particularly around the ankles. This exercise not only helps strengthen your muscles but also improves your balance and stability. Executio

Archer Pull-Up

The Archer Pull-Up is an advanced variation of the traditional pull-up. This exercise focuses on strengthening your upper body by providing a unique challenge. Instead of using both arms equally, the Archer Pull-Up emphasizes one arm at a time while the other arm provides support. This results in an

Archer Push-Up

The Archer Push-Up is an advanced variation of the traditional push-up that focuses on strengthening your chest, arms, and shoulders with a unique twist. By keeping one arm straight and bending the other, you simulate drawing a bow, which gives this exercise its name. This not only provides a more i

Archer Push-Up

Introduction: The Archer Push-Up is an advanced variation of the classic push-up that focuses on strengthening your chest, shoulders, and triceps. This exercise is unique because it emphasizes one arm at a time, which helps build strength and balance. Execution: Begin in a standard push-up position

Archer Stance Shoulder Pull

The archer stance shoulder pull is an exercise that primarily focuses on pulling the elbows and shoulders backward using the latissimus dorsi and shoulder muscles. The middle trapezius and rhomboids assist in pulling the shoulders backward. The four smaller muscles in the shoulders, the rotator cuff

Archer Step Back

The Archer Step Back is a dynamic exercise that helps improve your balance, coordination, and strength. This exercise combines a lunge with an arm extension, making it an excellent choice for a full-body workout. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart. Step one l

Arm Circle

The Arm Circle is a simple but effective exercise to strengthen your shoulders, arms, and upper back. This exercise requires no equipment and can be performed almost anywhere, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced exercisers who want to train their upper body. Execution

Arm Circles Backwards

This simple yet effective exercise is perfect for warming up your shoulders and improving mobility. Arm Circles Backwards helps strengthen the muscles around your shoulders and upper back while also promoting flexibility. Execution Begin by standing in a neutral position with your feet shoulder-

Arm Crossover

The Arm Crossover is an effective warm-up exercise that helps warm up the chest muscles and shoulders, preparing your body for a more intense workout. This exercise not only improves upper-body flexibility but also increases blood circulation to your arms and shoulders. Execution Begin by stan

Arm Crossover Chest Out

The Arm Crossover Chest Out is an effective exercise for strengthening your chest and shoulder muscles. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves your posture by strengthening the muscles around your ribcage. Execution Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arm

Arm Double Crossover

The Arm Double Crossover is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening and defining your arms and chest. This exercise offers a unique combination of muscle activation that you do not often find in other workouts, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Execution Begin in

Arm Pulses

Arm Pulses are a simple but effective exercise to strengthen and tone your arms. This exercise requires no equipment and can be performed almost anywhere, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced exercisers. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-widt

Arm Pulses Cross

Arm Pulses Cross is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening and defining your arms and shoulders. This exercise is unique because it combines low impact with high intensity, making it ideal for anyone who wants to firm their upper body without using heavy weights. Execution Begin in a s

Arm Pulses Palms Downwards

The Arm Pulses Palms Downwards exercise is a simple yet effective way to strengthen your arms and shoulders. This exercise requires no equipment and can be performed almost anywhere, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced exercisers who want to tone their upper body. Executio

Arm Pulses Palms Upwards

The Arm Pulses Palms Upwards exercise is a simple yet effective way to strengthen your arms and shoulders. This exercise requires no equipment and can be performed almost anywhere, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced exercisers who want to tone their upper body. Execution:

Arm Rotation Knee Lift

The Arm Rotation Knee Lift is a dynamic exercise that improves both your coordination and balance. By combining arm rotations and knee lifts, you work on your core stability while also training your shoulders and lower body. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width ap

Arm Swing

The Arm Swing is a dynamic exercise that focuses on improving flexibility and strength in your arms and shoulders. This exercise is ideal for warm-up routines or as part of your cool-down because it helps loosen the muscles and increase blood circulation in the upper body. Execution Begin with y

Arms Up And Down

The Arms Up And Down exercise is a simple yet effective way to train your shoulders and upper arms. This exercise requires no equipment and can be performed almost anywhere, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced exercisers who want to strengthen their upper body. Execution

Arnold Press

About the Arnold press The shoulder press is an exercise that works all three heads of the deltoid (but not to the same extent). This is the deltoid muscle responsible for lifting the upper arm. The Arnold press (or Arnie press) is a variation of the standard dumbbell shoulder press develo