The kneeling ball drape stretches the upper and mid-back muscles. The ball provides a soft surface for the stomach to rest against while relaxing the back muscles. Hug the ball to your chest and “melt” into the ball.
The lumbar drape relaxes the low back muscles. The bolster helps facilitate the stretch in the lumbar region. If a bolster is not available you may roll up a small towel and place that under your hips.
The standing lumbar stretch relaxes the back after a workout or long periods of sitting. Through inactivity the hips, low back and abdominals become tired and stiff. The standing lumbar stretch can be performed as often as you like for improved flexibility and posture.
Lunge touchdown alternating legs strengthens and conditions the lower body. This exercise develops and strengthens basic motor patterns. The lunge touchdown is a bodyweight exercise that can be performed at home or in the gym. Adding dumbbells or a medicine ball will increase the difficulty of the exercise.
The lying barbell row develops the latissimus dorsi “lats”, rear-deltoids, and the scapula muscles. The bench provides a brace for the upper body to prevent excessive strain on the lower back. Select a bench that allows the bar to travel through a full range of motion. Use lighter weights for muscular endurance and heavier weights for strength development.
The lying knee tuck stretches the erector spinae muscles. Pulling the knees toward the hips release tension in the low back and helps prevent back pain. This exercise can be performed with a bolster or rolled up towel.
The lying reverse cable fly targets the rear-deltoids and upper back muscles. This is a classic bodybuilding exercise for “filling out” the shoulders. Using the bench removes the stabilization demand normally placed on the hip and core muscles. The cable column provides more tension for the shoulders than dumbbells. Squeeze at the top for a peak-contraction.
Narrow grip lat pulldowns strengthen the lats, rhomboids, trapezius, posterior delts and biceps. The narrow grip can be performed with a pronated (overhand) or supinated (underhand) grip. Narrow grip lat pulldowns define and shape the back.
The neural mobilizer is a good stretch for anyone who sits for long periods of time. The goal is to mobilize the nerves throughout the spine. It can be done anywhere you have a space to sit down. Remember that this is a gentle mobility exercise and refrain from using momentum or hold the stretch too long.
The reverse grip pull up is a great exercise that strengthens and tones your back. It also strengthens your biceps and grip at the same time. If you are unable to do pull ups on your own you can have your workout partner assist you. You can also do kipping pull ups. A good goal is 20 reverse grip pull ups.
The Push Up on a Medicine Ball adds an extra element of speed and precision to the standard push up. It is a great exercise for building explosive power and coordination for the upper body. This exercise would benefit boxers, and other martial artists as well as football players.
The rocker board side reach is good for developing core strength and balance. If you don’t have a partner to throw the ball to you, you can throw the ball to yourself by bouncing it off a wall. The real key to this exercise is not to fall off of the rocker board. This exercise is good for basketball, football and other exercises that involve catching a ball and maintaining your balance.
The rotation exercise is good for developing strength and flexibility in your torso. It can be done with just your body weight or you can add weight with a medicine ball or dumbbell. The rotation exercise can be used as a dynamic warm up for golf, baseball and any other sport involving rotational movement.
The Single Arm Hang High Pull is a good exercise for the traps and shoulders. It is also great for building explosive power and improving coordination of the upper and lower body in preparation for more advanced exercises.
The single arm push up is not for the weak. This exercise challenges your chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and mental toughness. The single arm push up is a favorite of athletes in mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling. The single arm action loads the abdominals and hip flexors for stabilization.
The Single Dumbbell Overhead Squat is a very challenging exercise. It requires a lot of coordination, flexibility and strength. It will also improve all of those qualities.
The single arm rotation row is a good upper back and core exercise. There is also an element of torso rotation. This is a good exercise for both body builders and athletes. This exercise can also be done with resistance tubing and bands.
The single-sided rotation crunch on bolster strengthens the abdominals and obliques. The twisting motion activates the obliques and delivers a good ab workout. Place your hands behind your head and lift your shoulders off the floor to begin the crunch. Move you head close to your knees by contracting the abs.
