Ever seen someone at the gym grab a pair of dumbbells off the rack and just… take them for a walk? They’re doing a move called the farmer’s walk exercise — or, more generically, the loaded carry. And there’s more to the move than meets the eye. “The farmer’s walk is about as functional as […]
Social media is rife with crazy, seemingly physics-defying ab circuits that promise a chiseled midsection in 15 minutes. While those circuits likely won’t work against your goals, all you really need for a strong core is a handful of simple, yet effective moves like the dead bug exercise. “The dead bug is one of the […]
Spider lunges might sound like some tricked-out maneuver that requires sprouting four extra limbs. Fortunately, it isn’t that complicated, and extra-fortunately, you don’t have to grow four more appendages. In reality, the spider lunge is a next-level mobility exercise that can help to increase flexibility, warm up your lower body, and ease tension in your hips, […]
If you want to hit loads of muscles in a single rep, you can’t do much better than a standard push-up. But the base move is just the beginning. To see new gains in strength, muscular development, and mobility, there are dozens of push-up variations to try. Push-ups come in many different forms, making it […]
When you need a do-anywhere full-body move that jacks up your heart rate after just a few reps, look no further than the burpee. “The burpee is one of the most challenging and effective total-body exercises you can do,” says Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S., BODi’s executive director of fitness and nutrition content. This challenging exercise is a mainstay in […]
You might’ve heard about all the benefits that Pilates exercises can have on your body, namely your core. But where do you start? Studio classes are a great way to build a foundation of movement under instruction. But if you want to learn or practice Pilates outside of the studio (or without paying studio prices), […]
If your workouts always have you moving, it may be time to add some isometric exercises to take your results to the next level. “Isometric exercises increase the target muscle’s time under tension, which is a key growth stimulus,” explains Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S., executive director of fitness and nutrition content at BODi. What Is Isometric […]
Inchworms aren’t particularly regarded for their core strength — there aren’t any selfies of caterpillars showing off their 106-pack abs, after all. But the inchworm exercise is a solid go-to exercise when you’re looking to strengthen your core. Sometimes called the walkout exercise, this low-impact, standing-to-plank-position move is popular among trainers with good reason. “The […]
The hollow body hold is less of an eye-catcher than all those fancy plank and sit-up variations you see on YouTube. But that doesn’t mean it’s less effective. “The hollow body hold is an easy way to learn how to actually engage your body to maximum tension through the abs,” says Mark Schneider, CSCS, a strength […]
If you’re tired of trying to crunch your way to a solid core or shredded midsection, there’s another foundational ab exercise that should be in your routine: leg lifts. Lifting your legs off the ground from a supine position targets the lower abs and gives you another tool to achieve that six-pack. Here’s how to […]