14
votes
Accepted
Is it a bad idea to do double dumbbell exercises with a single dumbbell?
No, it is neither dangerous, nor inadvisable, nor ineffective to separate those exercises into unilateral (single-hand) versions. The only disadvantage to doing so is the extra time that you will ...
- 6,151
8
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of dropping weights?
Dropping weights is basically an acknowledgement that you either can't slowly lower the weights due to fatigue or that you want to avoid unnecessary risk of injury in slowly lowering them. It's only ...
- 8,943
8
votes
How do you keep the barbell close to your legs when doing the Romanian Deadlift?
Romanian deadlifts are not synonymous with stiff-leg deadlifts. In the Romanian deadlift, we hinge at the hip and rock backwards, allowing the knees to bend only enough to align our combined centre of ...
- 6,151
7
votes
Accepted
Lower back pain when performing lying leg raise
If you feel sharp pain in the lower back, then you need to adjust the exercise.
The reason why lying leg raises are often painful, is that the lower back gets pinched and compressed as the weight of ...
- 1,967
7
votes
My experiments to my body
Your exercise selection leaves much to be desired.
Your routine consists of only three movements: push-ups, squats, and sit-ups. The primary muscles targeted then are the triceps, anterior delts, pecs,...
- 3,500
6
votes
Squats technique flat feet
A lot of people have this problem, and it's usually caused by short tendons on the back of your ankle. I forget the name... Achilles?
Anyway, there are plently of things you can try in order to fix ...
- 17.9k
6
votes
Accepted
Lower leg training
The smaller leg muscles, we can pick on the extensor digitorum longus or the sartorius (as examples) are not supposed to be individually engaged. They are role-specific, and supposed to serve in a ...
- 14.8k
6
votes
Accepted
Are squats on the tip of the feet and bending back good for the legs?
I believe you're describing a Sissy Squat *. This is a great body-weight exercise for developing your quadriceps. However, sissy squats don't work the glutes at all; instead recruiting the hip flexors....
- 4,538
6
votes
Is "cheating" while performing exercises actually good for your gains?
If the eccentric part of motion is what gets you sore and, in turn, drives your gains (at least, hypertrophy-wise)
This is not a correct assumption. Muscle soreness is not a valid predictor of ...
- 13.5k
5
votes
Why do distance running training programs tell you to do long runs so slowly?
I'm going to start with addressing your edit first re: some scientific studies. You're right research on this type of stuff often leaves something to be desired. However, long distance running is ...
- 1,667
5
votes
Cardio or Strength training?
Both cardio and strength training can be an excellent way to improve your physique, it all depends on what you like to do. Lean muscular body mass can be done by doing cardio for say 30 minutes a day ...
- 71
5
votes
Accepted
Training for using war bows
Although it is in different language (may use google translate) in the link here there is a movie about training (pulling 92 lbs bow 57 Times) and pictures of different drills on bow training.
You ...
- 802
5
votes
Accepted
Why do we superset?
There's this idea in hypertrophy training that rest periods should be kept short to keep metabolic stress on the muscles high, and that this will be conducive to growth. Taking your example, suppose ...
- 2,510
5
votes
Accepted
Strengthen Teeth
First off, if you think you may have cracked a tooth, I highly recommend that you see a dentist. If your teeth are that loose, there is likely an underlying cause that you need to deal with comparable ...
- 8,943
5
votes
How would it possible to do Hammer Curls on Gymnastic Rings?
I think the real question is how to do curls with rings. From there, forearm rotation will refine these to hammer curls.
This video illustrates the technique; I'll attempt to describe it in words for ...
- 8,482
5
votes
Accepted
Handstand technique - Should I lock my elbows?
TL;DR, locking your elbows is fine.
"Locking" one's joints is simply bringing them to the maximum range of motion. It is the strongest position that you can be in, because you are using your body's ...
- 8,943
5
votes
Bending knees in reverse hyperextension
The accepted answer is not correct.
Not trying to start WWIII (and I think this is literally the first time I've disagreed with DarkHippo) stay calm. Everyone seems to freak out when they're ...
- 2,795
5
votes
Accepted
What is the right way to use this sit-up bench
That looks incredibly uncomfortable.
However, there are probably two ways to use this. One is for decline situps, where your knees would go over the bar at the end of the bench and your feet hook ...
- 22.4k
5
votes
Accepted
How can we define unambiguously flexion and extension?
There are commonly established and accepted definitions of motion for ambiguous joints that are related to the planes that the body is separated into. These planes are the sagittal, frontal and ...
- 22.4k
5
votes
Hourglass figure and how to prevent it
This probably isn't the answer you want, but it looks like this is an issue with angles and body fat.
TLDR: It probably isn't something to worry about. A cinched in waist means you're lean with broad ...
- 7,659
5
votes
Accepted
What is the bench press form for every day life?
Arching on the bench press creates a favorable position for the shoulders.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the entire body. Benching with a flat back allows the whole shoulder joint to move ...
- 3,500
5
votes
Accepted
Theory of Pull before Push in a Push Day Workout
How does the principle of scheduling pulling exercises before pushing exercises within a workout apply to a day where you only do pushing exercises? It doesn't.
That said, I'd also be very confident ...
- 13.5k
5
votes
Accepted
Good morning maneuver to fail a squat?
He means "good morning" in that all you do is fall forward. You can even see in the video that the woman doesn't actually "Good morning" the bar. She just sinks as low as she can ...
- 7,659
4
votes
Squats technique flat feet
I transfer a lot of weight to the toes while moving up
My fix for this is to concentrate on pushing through my heels. If there are no physiological barriers then this should be enough.
One way I ...
- 24.8k
4
votes
Accepted
How should squat form change based on proportions?
Caveat: Proportions is an indicator of how your squat form could look. Actually measuring your limb and torso lengths and trying to mathematically deduce "correct" form is rarely beneficial, and can ...
- 715
4
votes
Why do I tend to fall backwards when squatting low?
Probably a lack of ankle mobility. You can use weightlifting shoes to compensate it, but that won't fix the problem, just allow you to squat in a safe position with your current mobility
You should ...
- 391
4
votes
Accepted
Are partial reps okay?
I would agree with your trainer. Partial reps are a tool, and every tool has its pros and cons.
The pros of partial reps include the fact that you can carry on with an exercise when you can no longer ...
- 17.9k
4
votes
Science of doing kip-ups
It should be understood that unlike squats and jump-squats, pull-ups and kip-ups are two distinct exercises. Yes, they both elevate the chest to the bar, but the mechanics and muscular activity in ...
- 6,151
4
votes
How do you keep the barbell close to your legs when doing the Romanian Deadlift?
You're allowed to bend your knees in RDLs. I think if you look closely in the first image, you'll see the guy is bending his knees slightly too. Although he has short femurs so he doesn't have to bend ...
- 7,659
4
votes
Is "cheating" while performing exercises actually good for your gains?
David Scarlett is correct in that soreness is not an indicator of hypertrophy but I do think that it's worth calling out that there are knowledgeable people who utilise and recommend "cheat" ...
- 365
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible