The glutes and the hamstrings are activated to some extent during calf raises. The glutes will not be isolated, but they will contract in order to keep you in a standing position. However, if you somehow hinge at the hips, the glutes will be activated to a far greater degree. Plus, if you are calf … Read more
One of the biggest mistakes with planks is to shrug your shoulders up towards your ears. This takes the shoulders out of correct alignment, which puts them in a more vulnerable position. Furthermore, allowing your hips to sag, typically due to weak abs and core, will place more stress on the shoulders. You should also … Read more
Todd Durkin (Strength & Conditioning Coach): “Focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to do fewer push-ups with perfect form than crank out a bunch with your back rounded and your hips sagging.”
There is no problem with deadlifting two (or even more) days in a row, although this will largely depend on your training experience and powers of recovery. However, you should vary the intensity and stick to lower volumes of work. Plus, you can use alternative deadlift variations if you decide to perform the movement more … Read more
The traps are actively involved in deadlifts. As your torso goes from a forward lean to an upright position, the traps will be stimulated by a dynamic isometric hold. You can build your traps further from deadlifts by progressively adding weight, but also by varying your reps and intensity to stimulate new muscle growth in … Read more
The main reason your biceps are soft when you flex them is because they’re carrying a layer of fat. It’s impossible to spot reduce fat from the body or to control where fat may form. You should ensure that you properly contract the muscles when training biceps. Additionally, don’t go too heavy when working biceps, … Read more
Your lats should not be sore after deadlifts, but there are a few reasons this may occur. Firstly, it’s important to realise that the lats work isometrically to ensure that the bar stays close to your legs. Plus, if your arms aren’t fully extended during the deadlift, so even the slightest bend in the elbow, … Read more
Eric Leistner: “Weak glutes often lead to inefficient movement patterns, putting undue stress on other joints like your knees and lower back. Learning to activate your glutes properly can improve your overall movement quality and prevent injuries.”
When it comes to building that classic upper body you’ll be hard-pushed to find two better exercises than barbell rows and bench press. However, something that’s always puzzled me is the difference in weight that I use to perform the two movements. I wasn’t sure whether my ratios were good or whether I had a … Read more
You should dip until your upper and lower arms are approximately 90 degrees to each other. Some people will state that your dip depth should see your shoulders slightly below your elbows. This is fine as long as you don’t go past the 90 degree angle. If you go further you’ll take the stress off … Read more