A pull-up performed without any swinging is called a dead-hang pull-up. Proponents of dead-hang pull-ups consider swinging to be a style of cheating -- swinging allows you to use momentum to help yourself up.
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The Pendlay row is named after Glenn Pendlay, an Olympic weightlifting coach. The Pendlay version of the row is very similar to a standard barbell row, but there are some important differences. Your back is more horizontal during a Pendlay row and you set the weight down after each repetition.
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The barbell upright row primarily targets the front and side shoulder muscles, but it also works the biceps, rotator cuff muscles, and the lower and middle traps. Although an effective strength-training exercise, the barbell upright row is not the best option for some.
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The incline dumbbell bench press targets your upper chest -- the clavicular head of the pectoralis muscle -- more than a flat bench press does. To do the incline press, you need a piece of equipment that allows you to set your torso at an incline.
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Barbells are long, straight, metal bars that you use as resistance for strength-training exercises. They are available in two types: regular barbells and Olympic barbells. You can do the same exercises, including squats, deadlifts, presses, rows and curls, with either type of bar.
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The body weight squat is an effective lower body exercise that targets your hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteus muscles. However, if you perform the squat with incorrect form, you can place undue stress on your lower back or knees.
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The rotary torso machine, also called a torso rotation machine, targets the muscles of your core. However, if you use improper form or don't control the motion, the rotary torso machine loses its effectiveness.
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The ab wheel is a simple abdominal device; a wheel with a handle that extends through the center of the wheel. With the ab wheel, you can do the ab roll out exercise, which is an advanced abdominal movement. The ab wheel targets all your abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis and the obliques.
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Squats are a functional lower-body strength exercise. They simulate everyday activities, such as picking a box up off the floor. The body weight squat is the most basic, beginner squat; you only use your body weight for resistance.
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Standing dumbbell front raises work your deltoid, or shoulder, muscles. If you do this basic, single-joint exercise with improper form, you increase your risk of shoulder impingement, which is a painful condition of the shoulder joint.
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Hex and round dumbbells are fixed-weight dumbbells for use in commercial and in-home gyms. Both types of dumbbell are made of cast iron and offer a large selection of weights. However, hex and round dumbbells have different designs and features, each with advantages and disadvantages in the weight room.
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Towel pullups are more difficult than standard pullups because you have to grip a towel to do the exercise. This works your forearm muscles, which are your gripping muscles, making them stronger and thicker. Use different types of towels to make it more or less difficult to hold on during a pullup.
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When asked to flex a muscle, you'll most likely flex your biceps by bending your elbow. Although the biceps muscle is involved with flexion of the elbow, contrary to popular belief, it's not always the most active elbow flexor.
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The deadlift is a total-body strength exercise that works several muscle groups in your upper and lower body. The trap, or hex, bar is a specialized training tool that lifters use for two exercises: the deadlift and the shrug.
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Three primary muscles are responsible for the movements of your shoulder joint: the anterior, or front, deltoid; the posterior, or rear, deltoid; and the lateral, or side, deltoid. The anterior deltoid is responsible for lifting a weight to the front of your body, but it also assists in other movements.
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The lat pulldown isn't a glamorous exercise. It's not overly complex and it doesn't require a lot of agility or coordination to perform. Using a lat pulldown cable machine doesn't exude rawness or fierceness like performing a barbell bent-over row or a dead hang pullup does.
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The quest for six-pack abs marches on with a long line of in-home abdominal training devices. The AB Roller is one-such device. Although the AB Roller alone will not give you a lean, ripped mid-section – spot reduction is not possible -- if you use it properly, it can help you strengthen your core muscles.
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A dip and leg raise machine allows you to do body weight exercises that target your upper body. You can do leg raises for your abdominal muscles and dips for your chest, triceps and shoulder muscles.
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Biceps are the muscles on the front of your upper arm -- they are considered the "show" muscles. If asked to flex your muscles, you are likely to intuitively flex your biceps. No standards exist in the fitness world for how big your biceps should be. Having "big"
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Exercise bikes offer a low-impact cardiovascular workout. They are available in an upright design, which mimics a standard road bike, and a recumbent design that offers a semi-reclined riding position and full back support. All exercise bikes offer varying levels of pedal tension.
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