4 Standard Back Exercises Needed to Build Size & Strength

South Padre Island with my dog Taco

Why should women or anyone work hard in the gym to build their back? A lot of people, especially women disregard the importance of training their back or entire upper body. Training the back with weights not only increases your strength, but it also improves back posture and lower back pain. If you ever get into lifting heavy, it is essential to have a strong back to develop a strong squat. 

Besides strengthening your back, training also gives an aesthetically pleasing V-tapered look which gives an illusion of a smaller waist with a developed wider upper body. Who would not want to look smaller in the waist area!? So, if you have been lacking in your back training, now is the time to pay attention to your backside! 

The Back is Made Up of 4 Major Parts:

• The Latissimus Dorsi
• The Trapezius
• The Rhomboid 
• The Erecter Spinae

Here are 4 basic gym exercises to build a beautifully strong back! 

• To build size and strength keep the reps low and the weight heavy.
• Maximum strength training: 3 - 5 reps, heavy weight and 2 - 5 min. rest
• To get lean and cut keep the reps high and the weight moderate to light.
• 12 - 15 reps, moderate to light weight and 45 sec - 1 min. rest

Cable Lat Pulldown

T Bar Row Machine

Kneeling Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown

Back (Hyper) Extensions

 

4 Basic Exercises for Chest You Should Be Using

 

4 Basic Exercises for Chest

    One thing that I notice throughout the years that I have been in the fitness industry (14 years), many women disregard the importance of training their upper body. A lot of them fear that they are going to grow MASSIVE like men, but this is impossible naturally. Women are not designed like men. Women have estrogen and Men have testosterone as the main hormonal makeup. The only way for women to grow like men is if they use male testosterone (Steroids and SARMS). Otherwise, the female body has too much estrogean and too little testosterone to grow to the size of men. 

    In addition, women need upper body strength for all types of things to be self sufficient at home, work or the gym. It just depends on what your fitness goals are. I wanted to be a Pro Figure and Pro Female Physique competitor. That is why I developed my upper body to this level of muscularity. This type of development also takes many, many years of commitment and heavy lifting. So if your goals are not to be a competitor or look like one, then you have no worries about getting TOO MUSCULAR. You can still work out your chest with the goal of being toned and slim. 

    Here are some basic exercises that will help you build your chest, your strength and get you nice and toned. 

Push-Ups

Swiss Ball Chest Flys

Barbell Incline Chest Press

Decline Dumbbell Chest Press

6 Great Total Body Exercises

6 Great Total Body Exercises

• Total body exercises are great for people who have limited time to work out. These types of exercises hit different parts of the body at the same time, burning fat more efficiently than regular splits. Especially, when they are done is a circuit formation. 
• However if you work out in a commercial gym, doing circuits can be very hard. Best thing to do if you only have access to gym equipment is a commercial gym is to do your workouts in supersets. 
• Here are some example total body exercises:

Barbell Clean & Press

Squat Curl

Barbell High Pull

Dumbbell Squat Press

Alternating Kettle Bell Swing

Tire Flips

 

6 Great Exercises for Glutes

6 Great Exercises for Glutes

Nowadays, it is all the rage to have large muscular glutes and thighs. Here are some exercises to help you reach your peach gains! 

•  Low reps (5 - 10 reps) with heavy weight for people who want to increase the size of their glutes
• High reps (12 - 20 reps) with moderate to light weight for people who want to lose fat, get more defined & cut glutes

Reverse Hack Squat

Cable Pull Through

Stiff-Leg Deadlift

Leg Press

Smith Machine Sumo Squats

Hip Thrusters

 

Great Unstable Exercises For Legs That Burn Fat & Build Muscle!

 

Training in unstable environments forces you to concentrate and uses more of the muscles in the body to execute. It corrects muscle imbalances, improves stablization or the core, it prepares tissue for upcoming demands of training, improves cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems and establishes proper movement. 

Do unstable training for at least 4 - 6 weeks to see the increase in body fat reduction, strength in the stabilizing muscles, lean muscle mass and general performance. Here are some examples of unstable exercises: 

Bosu Ball Squats

Bosu Dumbbell Reverse Lunge with Knee Lift

Bosu Goblet Squats

Bosu Ball One Leg Bridge

Bosu Split Lunges

Bosu Stiff-Leg Deadlift

Swiss Ball Leg Curls

Beginners: Beware of Fast Paced 30 Minute or Less Workout Programs

Are You Ready 30 Minute or Less; Fast-Paced Workout Programs?

I'm sure there are plenty people out there that FINALLY started their NEW YEAR NEW ME for 2020, barely got themselves used to doing some fitness activity and NOW quarantined at home for an undisclosed amount of time. Now what do you do? There are a lot of advertisements for at home workouts that require time and some equipment and then there are other programs that are fast paced and only take 30 minutes or less to do. Before you jump on the band wagon to these types of quick workouts, ask yourself, are you ready for high impact workouts?

A lot of these exercises do not seem like much, do not use much equipment and being done fast with a workout sounds very appealing, but how long has it been since you were active like the instructors are the program? If it has been more than 6 months since you were training consistently, you need to start from the beginning with regular slow paced workouts with adequate amounts of rest. This might sound boring and asking for too much time, but this will greatly reduce you chances of getting injured which will lead you to stopping your fitness goals for an undetermined amount of time. 

If you lack flexibility, core strength, joint stability and muscular development then you are deconditioned and need to start with a low intensity exercise program. A type of program that starts the focus on core strengthening, joint stability, flexibility and muscular endurance. Starting off with exercises that use a Swiss ball, Bosu ball and one legged exercise are key in strengthening stability and muscle coordination. In addition, the increased difficulty of using unstable exericses helps burn more calories which burns more fat. These types of exercises are done with moderate amounts of weight with high repetitions. Once you have mastered exercising with untable enviroments then you are ready to move on to more strenous type of training

In order to see results, I would recommend engaging in this type of training for at least 4 - 6 weeks. Log your workouts in a journal along with sets, reps and weight amounts. When an exercise becomes too easy is when you move up in weight. On this blog you can find many examples of exercises that include a Swiss ball (stability ball), a Bosu ball and are one legged. You can also find other examples on my Youtube Channel 

Workout from Home Quarantined Calesthenic Workout III

Total Body Calesthenic Workout III

Walking Push Ups

Beginners: Can be done side to side

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

V Ups

Beginners: As long as you get your torso and legs off the ground 5 inches

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Inverted Row

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Side Plank Twists

Beginners: Can be done on the knees with the legs bent 90 degrees

3 - 4 Sets

15 Reps Each Side

Box Jump Squats

Beginners: Can be done as Forward Jump Squats without box

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Back Extension

3 - 4 Sets

15 Reps with a 15 sec HOLD on the LAST Rep

Walking Plank

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 16 Reps

One Leg Stiff Legged Deadlift

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Plank with Dumbbell Row

Beginners: Can be done on the KNEES

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Total Body Calesthenic Workout II

Keep your fitness during quarantine by doing simple bodyweight exercises!

Decline Push Ups

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps 

Can be done on the knees for beginners

Boat

3 - 4 Sets

45 sec - 1 min.

Beginners start with the knees bent and the heels on the floor

Box Frog Jumps

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Can be done without the box and jumping in place instead

TRX Back Row

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Alternative exercise: Inverted Row

Side Ups

3 - 4 Sets

15 Reps

One Leg Squat to Box

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Incline Push Ups

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Bird Dog 

3 - 4 Sets

45 sec - 1 min each side

Execute without the Bosu Ball

Workout at Home During the Quarantine!

Total Body Calesthenic Workout

Targets: chest, arms, core, back and legs

Execute: Supersets or Circuit

Push-ups

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Crossbody Crunch & Leg Lift

3 - 4 Sets

15 Reps

Jump Squats

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Pull-ups

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Side Plank Lifts

3 - 4 Sets

15 Reps

Diamond Push-ups

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Superman with Leg Curls

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Single Calf Raises

3 - 4 Sets

15 - 20 Reps

Reverse Grip Pull Ups

Reverse Grip Pull Ups

One of the 4 exercises that tests human strength and military fitness is the Pull Up and in this post, I will be discussing why the Reverse Grip Pull Up is important to master. Great way to determine muscular endurance PRs is to achieve enough strength to lift your own weight!

Reverse Grip Pull Ups is a compound exercise for the back. Also known as the Chin Up, this exercise, mostly targets the latissimus dorsi, teres major and biceps. It also secondarily trains the shoulders and chest because of the narrower supinated grip.  If you are a beginner start on the floor, with a bench, stool or stability ball to assist you until you have the strength to lift your own weight. Most commericial gyms have an ASSITED PULL UP/CHEST DIP machines which work great for 

beginners.

Front & Back Double Bicep 

Grab the pull up bar or assisted pull up machine bar. In a reverse supinated grip, palms facing you with arms about shoulder-width apart. If you can hang, raise your feet off the floor by bending your knees. Pull yourself up by squeezing your back muscles and pulling your elbows down to the floor. 

Repeat for desired sets and reps. I usually do 5 sets of 10 - 15 repetitions.

Developing back muscles not only helps with strength and posture, it also develops what is known as a V - Taper. Broad upper body with small tiny waist and large quadraceps gives the body an asthetically pleasing look in the fitness/bodybuilding industry. Tip: So if you have a wide or no waist, developing your upper body will give the illusion of a smaller waist. 

Back and Bicep (Pull) Workout

What is a Pull Workout?

Pull exercises are those where the muscles contract and the weight is being pulled towards you. The primary muscles used in pull workouts includes the back, biceps, hamstrings, obliques and trapezius. Examples of pull exercises are lat pull down, back rows, deadlifts, leg curls, rear delt flys and bicep curls.

Benefits of Adding Push/Pull Workouts to Your Program

• Less time at the gym
• Ensures muscle balance
• Promotes injury prevention
• Increases muscle mass

Back and Bicep Workout

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Wide Row

4 - 5 Sets

10 - 12 Reps

EZ Bar Curls

4 - 5 Sets

10 - 12 Reps

Cable Straight Arm Pull Down

3 - 4 Set

10 - 15 Reps

Standing Bicep Curls

3 - 4 Sets

10 - 15 Reps

One Arm Bent Leg Cable Row

3 - 4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps 

Swiss Ball One Arm Preacher Curl

3 - 4 Sets

10 - 15 Reps

Swiss Ball Back Extensions

3 - 4 Sets

15 - 20 Reps with 10 Sec. Hold on Last Rep

Jump Squats on Bench

Jump squats help tone and trains fast twitching muscles of the calves, glutes, hamstrings, core, and quadriceps.



Use a box or bench height that is adequate to your potential. If you are a beginner, best thing is to start with a box that is only about 5 to 10 inches high.





 Lower your body as much as you can by squatting down. Bend your knees and assume the position of sitting down.



Quickly jump up on top of the box or bench and land in a squatting position in order for the legs and not the knees to absorb the shock.



Repeat for 10 - 15 repititions

Legs and Abdominal Workout

Legs and Ab Workout

Hack Squat

3 - 5 Sets

Hypertophy:

 Heavy Weight & 8 - 10 Reps

Lean & Toned:

Light Weight & 12 - 15 Reps

Bench V-ups

3 - 4 Sets

High Reps: 12 to 15 

DB  Split Lunges 

3 - 4 sets

High Reps: 12 - 15 Reps

Side Ups

3 - 4 Sets

High Reps: 15 - 20

One Leg Ball Leg Curls

3 - 4 Sets

High Reps: 12 - 20

Decline Crunch

3 - 4 Sets

Low Reps: 8 - 10 

Calf Presses

4 - 6 Sets

Heavy Weight and High Reps

12 - 15

Strengthen Your Core and Elevate Your Heart Rate With This Cable Back Workout!

Back Workout

Lat Pulldown

The lat pulldown is a multi-joint exercise that involves main mover the latissimus dorsi, the largest back muscle, which extends down each side of your spine. The biceps, rear delts, rhomboids and traps are also syngistically during the pulldown exercise.

Close Grip Pulldown

Great exercise to target the primarily lats, the traps (middle and lower) and the biceps. Secondary, it uses the teres major, posterior deltoid and the pectoralis major. Many women are afraid to lift heavy for their upper body. However, developing your back create a v-taper making your waist appear smaller. It also increase your strength to later take on pull-ups and lift things easier around the house.

Squat Row

A compound total body exercise that trains the mid and lower back, legs and glutes while elevating the heart rate. Make sure to use your legs as you stand up with the close grip handle in front of your body with arms extended. Execute the exercise by squating down while keeping the arms extended, use you legs to stand up while bring the close grip handle close to your belly button. Squat back down with the arms extended to complete one rep and repeat!

Swimmers

Swimmers are a different variation to the Lying Back Extension (Superman). This exercise strengthens the core and stretches the lower back. Adding movement to it elevates the heart rate. This exercise can be done in repetitions or timed.

To build muscle: increase weight and lower reps to 8-10.

To tone up: lower weight and increase reps to 12-15.

EZ Bar Curls

The angle of the EZ curl bar allows your wrists, forearms and elbows in a more comfortable, natural and safe position, as a result reducing the risk of common injuries that many people develop over time from curling with a straight bar This will be your starting position: Stand up straight while holding an EZ curl bar at the wide outer handle. Keep your elbows close to your torso. Keep your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights upward while contracting the biceps. Raise the weight until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the top contracted position for a moment and squeeze the biceps. Then inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Abdominal and Core Workout

Ab and Core Workout

3 - 4 Sets 10 - 15 Reps

Cable Crunch

10 - 15 Reps

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Russian Twist

12 - 15 reps

Hanging Scissors

30 sec - 1 min.

Superman aka Back Extension

30 sec. - 1 min.

Some Tips To Keep off the pounds this Summer!

Summer Fitness Tips to Keep the Pounds Off!

Food and Beverage choices (80%)

• Keep the fried foods, fast foods, processed foods and red meat to a minimum.
• Look for words like: blackened, grilled, & roasted.
• Go for fruit instead of refined white flour baked goods.
• Eat lots of greens. They fill up half of your medium sized plate.
•  Ask for a doggie bag to put half of the meal to go. Or share with a companion.
• Alcohol is basically liquid carbs and over 2 beers is illegal to drive! 
• Not a good idea on a family vacation!
• 1 oz. of alcohol is 80 - 100 calories
• Drinking alcohol not only gets you drunk, but it also dehydrates, fills you with empty calories which equals weight gain and water retention.
• Keep hydrated with water!
• In the hot sun without water can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
• Sodas, Teas and coffee are also diuretics! 

Activity Level (20%)

Just a reminder: The less activity you do without making proper food choices, the more weight you will gain.

Just because you are on Summer vacation doesn't mean you stop working out and taking care of

your health. 

• Keep the cardiovascular training going!
• 2 – 3 x a week is adequate to maintain a strong cardiovascular endurance
• Walk, jog or run on the beach, city or country side
• Ride a bicycle or mountain bike
• Go hiking on a hill or mountain side 
• It will make you feel like a kid again
•  Play volleyball at the beach or regular outdoor activities.
• Resistance training is also just as important!
•  The more muscle you retain the stronger immune system you will have with proper
• nutrition.
• Muscle weighs more than fat, but takes up less space on the body.
• Each pound of muscle burns an additional 14 calories per pound.
• More muscle equals higher the metabolism
• A minimum or 2 – 3 times a week is adequate for weight and core training
•  Most hotels and resorts have small fitness rooms with Tvs!
• Resistance bands are great for traveling
• They can be used to train:
• Biceps
• Triceps
• Shoulders
• Glutes
• Hips

• Calisthenics: Body weight exercises
• Pushups
• Crunches
• Wall Static Squats
• Superman
• Single-leg stiff-leg deadlift
• Inclined Plank
• Single-leg calf raises
• Side plank

Falling off the band wagon for too long will make it very HARD to get BACK ON TRACK. You will have to grow through the soreness and stiffness all over again! Why go through that? I'm a bodybuilder and post contest we usually take 1 - 2 weeks off to heal from the extensive resistance training from the contest prep. However, I can only stand taking 1 week off. I get very sore once I start training again. I can only imagine 2 whole weeks off!