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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.

Reverse Crunches

Reverse Crunches

Looking to add an exercise to your routine that strengthens your core and gives your lower abdominal muscles an extra challenge? Reverse crunches are an excellent choice. This exercise targets the abdominal muscles with a unique movement that differs from the traditional crunch, providing deeper mus

Abs Strength Training
Reverse Curl

Reverse Curl

The Reverse Curl is an effective exercise that targets the forearms and biceps, with a unique twist on the traditional biceps curl. By rotating the wrists, you activate muscles in a way that standard curls cannot, leading to more balanced muscle development and grip strength. Execution Begin by

Forearms Strength Training
Reverse Dumbbell Curl

Reverse Dumbbell Curl

The Reverse Dumbbell Curl is an effective exercise for strengthening the forearms and biceps. This variation of the traditional biceps curl places greater emphasis on the brachioradialis, a forearm muscle, and the outer biceps, resulting in more complete arm development. Execution Begin by sta

Forearms Strength Training
Reverse Dumbbell Lunge

Reverse Dumbbell Lunge

Lunges could be considered squats on one leg. Like the squat, it is a compound exercise that involves multiple joints. However, during lunges, you hardly need to lean forward from the hips. As a result, the lower back and hamstrings work relatively less hard, while more emphasis is placed on the qua

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Hyperextension on an Incline Bench

Reverse Hyperextension on an Incline Bench

The reverse hyperextension on an incline bench is an effective exercise for strengthening your lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise helps improve your posture and lower-back stability. Execution Lie face down on an incline bench. Make sure your hips hang off the end of the bench.

Lower Back Strength Training
Reverse Lunge

Reverse Lunge

Lunges can be viewed as squats on one leg. Like the squat, it is a compound exercise that involves multiple joints. However, during lunges you barely need to lean forward from the waist. The lower back and hamstrings therefore work relatively less hard, while more emphasis is placed on the quadricep

Quads Cardio
Reverse Lunge

Reverse Lunge

The reverse lunge is a popular leg exercise that targets the muscles in your lower body, including your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. It is a variation of the traditional lunge and offers unique benefits because it places less pressure on your knees and helps improve your balance and coordinat

Quads Cardio
Reverse Lunge + Knee Lift

Reverse Lunge + Knee Lift

The Reverse Lunge + Knee Lift is a dynamic exercise that combines balance, strength, and coordination. This exercise is unique because it challenges not only your lower body but also improves your core stability and balance. Execution: Begin in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart.

Quads Cardio
Reverse Lunge Left Resistance Band

Reverse Lunge Left Resistance Band

The reverse lunge with a resistance band on your left leg is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening your lower body, with additional emphasis on the glutes and hamstrings. This variation adds resistance, which helps improve your balance and stability. Execution Start by securing one en

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Lunge With Resistance Band

Reverse Lunge With Resistance Band

The Reverse Lunge With Resistance Band is a dynamic exercise that promotes strength and stability in your lower body. Adding a resistance band makes the exercise more intense, leading to greater muscle activation and improved balance. Execution Start by attaching a resistance band to a fixed poi

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Lunges

Reverse Lunges

If you're looking for an effective way to train your lower body, reverse lunges are an excellent choice. This exercise focuses on strengthening and toning your legs and glutes while also improving your balance and coordination. Execution Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart. Take a la

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Lunges

Reverse Lunges

If you are looking for an effective way to train your lower body, reverse lunges are an excellent choice. This exercise focuses on strengthening and toning your legs and glutes, while also improving your core stability and balance. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet hip-width

Glutes Strength Training
Reverse Lunges

Reverse Lunges

Reverse lunges, also called backward lunges, are an exercise for strengthening and toning your lower body. They offer a variation on the traditional lunge by reversing the movement, which places a different load on the muscles. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet hip-width apar

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Lunges

Reverse Lunges

Introduction: Reverse lunges are a fantastic exercise for strengthening your lower body. They primarily target the glutes and hamstrings, but your core is also engaged. This exercise is less stressful on your knees than traditional lunges. Execution: Begin with your feet hip-width apart. Step one l

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Lunges from a Step

Reverse Lunges from a Step

Reverse lunges from a step is a dynamic exercise focused on strengthening and toning your lower body, with additional emphasis on balance and stability. Performing this exercise from an elevated surface increases the intensity and depth of the movement, creating more of a challenge and better result

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Machine Fly

Reverse Machine Fly

The Reverse Machine Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. This exercise is unique because it targets the backs of your shoulders, an area often overlooked in traditional training. Execution Adjust the machine to your height and stand facing

Shoulders Strength Training
Reverse Machine Flyes

Reverse Machine Flyes

Introduction: Reverse Machine Flyes are an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. This exercise helps improve posture and strengthen muscles that are often neglected in daily activities. Execution: 1. Sit on the machine facing the support. 2. Grip the ha

Shoulders Strength Training
Reverse Nordic Curl

Reverse Nordic Curl

The Reverse Nordic Curl is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening and stretching your quadriceps and hip flexors. This often-overlooked exercise offers a unique combination of strength training and flexibility improvement for the front of your legs. Execution Begin in a kneeling posit

Quads Strength Training
Reverse Plank Hip Lift

Reverse Plank Hip Lift

The Reverse Plank Hip Lift is a powerful exercise that targets your core, glutes, and hamstrings. This exercise is unique because it not only strengthens your muscles but also helps improve your posture and balance. Execution Begin by sitting on the floor with your legs extended straight in fron

Glutes Strength Training
Reverse Pull-Ups

Reverse Pull-Ups

The Reverse Pull-Up is an effective exercise that targets upper-body strength by using your own body weight. This exercise is unique because it emphasizes the upper back and biceps while also activating your core for stability. Execution Find a low bar or use a Smith machine and set it to hip he

Lats Strength Training
Reverse Wrist Curl with a Single Dumbbell

Reverse Wrist Curl with a Single Dumbbell

Introduction: The Reverse Wrist Curl with a single dumbbell is an excellent exercise for strengthening the forearms and developing the wrist flexors. This exercise helps improve your grip strength, which is essential for various sports and daily activities. Execution: Begin by sitting on a bench, h

Forearms Strength Training
Reverse-Grip Lat Pulldown

Reverse-Grip Lat Pulldown

If you're looking for an effective way to strengthen your back muscles, the reverse-grip lat pulldown is an excellent choice. This variation of the traditional lat pulldown emphasizes the muscles slightly differently, giving you unique benefits. Execution Find a lat pulldown machine and set the

Lats Strength Training
Reverse-Grip Resistance Band Simultaneous Curl

Reverse-Grip Resistance Band Simultaneous Curl

The Reverse-Grip Resistance Band Simultaneous Curl is an effective exercise that targets strengthening your upper body, with a particular focus on your biceps and back muscles. This exercise offers a unique twist on traditional resistance training by using a reverse grip, resulting in more intense a

Biceps Strength Training
Reverse-Grip Triceps Pushdown

Reverse-Grip Triceps Pushdown

The Reverse-Grip Triceps Pushdown is an effective exercise for strengthening and shaping your triceps. The reverse grip targets your triceps in a unique way, which can lead to better muscle definition and strength. Execution Stand upright in front of a cable machine with the pulley set to a high

Triceps Strength Training