Skater jumps — also known as skater hops, side skaters, and skater steps — are like the burpee version of side lunges, making them a staple move in many high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. As a plyometric exercise, skater jumps are a great cardio- and strength-building move; perform just a few reps and you’ll experience a […]
If you have tight iliotibial (IT) bands, stretching seems like the logical solution. But dealing with IT band syndrome, which accounts for 22 percent of injuries to the lower extremities, is not so simple; most “IT band stretches” don’t even target the IT band. Here’s what you should know about relieving IT band tightness and […]
Whether your fitness goals are performance-related or more about how you look in a pair of jeans, get ready to meet your new favorite strength move: hamstring curls. Located south of your glutes, your hamstrings are a powerful (yet often overlooked) muscle group that helps bend your knees, extend (straighten) your hips, and rotate your […]
Targeting your abs and glutes can help you get a sculpted booty and six-pack abs — but that’s not the only reason to add this abs and butt workout to your weekly routine. Your core plays a key role in nearly every move you make, and your glutes are essential for power generation — especially when it […]
Not since the advent of the moonwalk has walking backward had such a moment. TikTok and Instagram are filled with videos of physical therapists and fitness influencers touting the benefits of walking backwards, aka retro walking. You may have also noticed people at the gym (and not just that one attention-seeking weirdo) walking backwards on […]
No doubt about it: Pilates exercises offer incredible benefits for the core. But when it comes to the best leg exercises, Pilates can also provide a major boost, according to Andrea Rogers, founder of Xtend Barre and XB Pilates. Best of all, the practice uses compound moves, so you’ll feel those Pilates “leg” exercises working other areas of your body, too. Pilates can […]
Although this exercise may be called the hip thrust, you’re really going to appreciate what it does for your butt. In fact, hip thrusts can fire up your entire posterior chain, according to Holly Perkins, C.S.C.S., Los Angeles-based trainer and author of Lift to Get Lean. That can help reduce your risk of low back pain and also […]
The Romanian deadlift may be the hardest simple exercise you can do in the gym. Like the squat, the Romanian deadlift (or RDL) looks fairly straightforward, but doing it well takes practice and precision. The payoff, however, is great — and strong-looking glutes, hamstrings, and lower back muscles are just the beginning. “The RDL is […]
Squats are popular for a reason. No matter which variation you choose, they not only help build a stronger lower body, but also fire up your core and increase range of motion when performed correctly. Jumping jacks, too, deserve the esteemed reputation they’ve had with fitness since, well, forever. They build stamina, burn calories, and boost cardiorespiratory endurance. What’s more […]
You’ve probably heard a trainer say, “Don’t let your knees track over your toes.” It’s a common form cue during certain exercises, especially squats and lunges. But how crucial is it, and why? Here’s what you need to know. How Bad Is It to Go Knees Over Toes During Exercise? It depends on the exercise […]