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.

Barbell Good Morning

The Barbell Good Morning is a powerful exercise that targets the back of your body, particularly the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. This exercise is unique because it not only improves your strength but also contributes to your flexibility and posture. Execution Begin with your feet shoulde

Barbell Good Mornings

The Barbell Good Mornings exercise is a fantastic way to strengthen your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. This compound movement not only improves your strength but also your posture and flexibility. Execution Begin by placing a barbell across your upper back, not your neck. Make sure your fe

Barbell Good Mornings

The Barbell Good Mornings exercise is an excellent way to strengthen your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. This exercise not only helps strengthen these important muscle groups but also improves your posture and flexibility. Execution Begin by placing a barbell on your upper back, not on yo

Barbell hack squat

De hack squat lijkt meer op een deadlift dan op een squat. De halter wordt nu echter achter het lichaam geplaatst en niet ervoor. De bovenrug blijft rechter waa...

Barbell Hack Squat

The hack squat is more like a deadlift than a squat. However, the barbell is placed behind the body rather than in front of it. The upper back remains more upright, meaning the hamstrings and lower back do relatively less work and greater emphasis is placed on the quadriceps. Barbell Hack Squat Musc

Barbell Hip Thrust

The hip thrust is the exercise that requires the greatest engagement of the glutes. As with the glute bridge, you work the glutes, erector spinae, and hamstrings by bringing the back and legs into one line. The hip thrust may be the exercise that has seen the greatest increase in popularity in recen

Barbell Hip Thrust

The Barbell Hip Thrust is a powerful exercise focused on strengthening your glutes and hamstrings. This exercise offers unique benefits for improving your posture, strength, and performance in sports and daily activities. Execution Find a flat bench and place a barbell on the floor in front of y

Barbell Hip Thrust

The Barbell Hip Thrust is a powerful exercise aimed at strengthening your glutes. The unique benefit of this exercise is that it not only strengthens your glutes but also contributes to core stability and lower-back health. Execution Find a flat bench and place it behind you. Sit on the floor wi

Barbell Hip Thrusts

Introduction: The Barbell Hip Thrust is a powerful exercise focused on strengthening your glutes. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves your performance in other strength exercises and daily movements. Execution: Begin by placing a padded bench behind you. Sit on the floo

Barbell Incline Bench Press

If you are looking for an effective way to strengthen your upper body, the Barbell Incline Bench Press is an excellent choice. This exercise targets the upper chest muscles and offers unique benefits compared with the traditional bench press by using a different angle. Execution Set the bench to

Barbell Incline Bench Press

The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a powerful exercise that targets the upper chest muscles. This variation of the traditional bench press helps you achieve more complete chest development and improves your overall upper-body strength. Execution Set the bench at an angle of approximately 30 to

Barbell Jefferson Split Squat

The Barbell Jefferson Split Squat is a dynamic exercise that develops strength and stability in your lower body. This unique variation of the traditional squat allows you to train each side of your body separately, leading to improved balance and muscle symmetry. Execution Place a barbell on the

Barbell Jefferson Squat

The Barbell Jefferson Squat is a unique compound exercise that requires a combination of strength, balance, and coordination. This exercise offers an excellent way to train your lower body from different angles, challenging your muscles in a new way. Execution Place a barbell on the floor and st

Barbell JM Bench Press

The Barbell JM Bench Press is a variation of the traditional bench press that targets the triceps while also engaging the chest and shoulders. This exercise is named after powerlifter JM Blakley and is known for its effectiveness in building triceps strength and mass. Execution Lie on a flat ben

Barbell Jump Squat

If you're looking for a dynamic exercise that improves both your strength and explosiveness, the Barbell Jump Squat is for you. This exercise combines the traditional squat with an explosive jump, making it an excellent choice for developing powerful legs and a strong core. Execution Begin by pl

Barbell KAS Glute Bridge

The Barbell KAS Glute Bridge is a powerful exercise focused on strengthening your glutes, with a unique twist that provides extra activation of your core muscles. This variation of the traditional glute bridge adds resistance by using a barbell, effectively training not only your glutes but also you

Barbell Kneeling Squat

If you're looking for an exercise that targets your lower body and adds a unique twist to the traditional squat, the Barbell Kneeling Squat is for you. This exercise combines the benefits of squats with a focus on the glutes and hamstrings while reducing pressure on your lower back. Execution

Barbell Lap Curl

The Barbell Lap Curl is an effective exercise for building strength and mass in your biceps. This exercise stands out because of its unique position and the way it isolates the biceps, providing an intense workout. Execution Sit at the end of a bench with your feet flat on the floor and your kne

Barbell Lateral Lunges

If you're looking for an exercise that improves both your strength and balance, Barbell Lateral Lunges are an excellent choice. This exercise focuses on lateral movement, something that is overlooked in many training routines, and offers unique benefits for your lower body. Execution Begin by pl

Barbell Low-Bar Squat

The Barbell Low-Bar Squat is a powerful exercise that targets the lower body, with a specific focus on the posterior chain. This squat variation allows you to lift more weight than the traditional high-bar squat, making it a favorite among strength athletes. Execution Place your feet shoulder-wi

Barbell Lunges

Barbell lunges are a powerful exercise for developing strength and stability in your lower body. This exercise offers a unique combination of balance, coordination, and strength, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their fitness routine. Execution Begin by placing the bar

Barbell Lunges On The Spot

Barbell Lunges On The Spot is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening and toning your lower body. This exercise offers a unique combination of strength, balance, and flexibility, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Execution Begin by placing the barbell on your uppe

Barbell Lying Close-Grip Press

The Barbell Lying Close-Grip Press is a powerful exercise that targets the triceps, chest, and shoulders. This exercise is unique because it allows you to work with a relatively heavy load, leading to significant strength and muscle development, especially in the triceps. Execution Lie on your b

Barbell Lying Rear Delt Row

The rear delt row is an exercise targeting the posterior head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). The lateral head and, to a lesser extent, the anterior head also contribute to this movement, but are activated less. Many other muscles help move the elbows and shoulders backward, as well as maintain th