The upright row is a compound weightlifting exercise that involves multiple joints and simultaneously engages several muscle groups. It primarily targets the deltoids (shoulders) and trapezius, while also working the biceps, forearms, and upper back. When you do an upright row, you’re basically pulling a weight up along the front of your body to about … Read more
The single-arm upright row is an upper-body exercise that predominantly targets the lateral deltoids (responsible for adding width to your shoulders). It is more shoulder-friendly than barbell upright rows. This exercise also challenges your trapezius (traps), a large muscle in the back that helps you shrug your shoulders, the rhomboids, and even the rear delt. It … Read more
The single-arm shoulder press is a solid, compound movement that works the deltoid (front and lateral delt), the triceps, and all the supporting muscles throughout the body. The single-arm dumbbell shoulder press is a unilateral exercise that increases shoulder strength, stability, and symmetry. Doing the exercise with one arm at a time will work your … Read more
One-arm cable lateral raise is a variation of the traditional lateral raise exercise that uses a cable machine instead of dumbbells. This exercise works the lateral (or “middle”) deltoid muscle in the shoulder. Cable machine exercises provide a steady and consistent amount of resistance throughout the whole range of motion. This can make the exercise more challenging … Read more
Sandbag shouldering is an excellent way to build strength. This age-old technique, reborn in modern gyms, bridges the gap between traditional weightlifting and real-world motion. Sandbag shouldering is a full-body exercise that simultaneously works strength and conditioning. The exercise targets multiple muscle groups, including the legs, back, and shoulders. It also improves core stability, grip … Read more
The push-up is one of the best bodyweight exercises for targeting upper-body muscles. Like many other upper-body pressing exercises, push-ups recruit and train the chest, deltoid, and triceps muscle groups. Push-ups are often thought of as a chest-building exercise, but many variations are great for targeting the shoulders. Many people are familiar with the standard push-up, … Read more
The Barbell front raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the anterior deltoids (front muscles of the shoulders). This exercise also engages the lateral deltoids, upper chest, and trapezius muscles to a lesser extent. This is a so-called isolation exercise, because it involves only one joint to perform the movement, unlike compound exercises, which … Read more
Barbell exercises are a great way to build strength, increase muscle mass, and burn fat. They are versatile pieces of equipment that allow for heavier lifting than cable and dumbbells. Barbell exercises are usually compound movements that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Some of them also target specific muscle groups (isolation exercises), such as barbell … Read more
A common adage in fitness is that you must feel the muscle working. Feeling a muscle contract means that it is being targeted and worked. However, an exercise that one person can feel might not work the same way for someone else. One exercise that produces this contraction sensation more effectively than other exercises is … Read more