Tag Archives: workout

Underhand Inverted Row

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Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week and this will be the last exercise this year but I will have a bunch of new ones to show you in 2019!  

This week’s exercise is called the Underhand Inverted Row and this is a great exercise to really work your back and biceps.  In the video demonstration I’m using an Equalizer Bar but you can also do this at the gym with an olympic bar set up in a squat rack.

I also show different variations of this exercise with the easiest version first and ending with a more challenging version.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Underhand Inverted Row.

  • start by laying underneath the bar so that your chest is in line with the bar
  • grab the bar with an underhand grip (you can also use an overhand grip to change the dynamic of the exercise and add a different challenge)
  • for the easier version, keep your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent
  • drive your hips up in to the air by pushing up through your heels
  • keep your abs tight and maintain this hips raised position throughout the exercise
  • pull your body up and try to touch the bar with your chest while squeezing your shoulder blades together
  • lower your body back down in a smooth controlled manner but stop just before you touch the floor
  • repeat the movement for your desired amount of reps or time and make sure not to let your hips drop down throughout the exercise
  • the second movement is a bit harder and the difference is your legs are straight instead of bent
  • the third movement adds more of a challenge by adding more weight to your upper body to lift because you have one leg in the air
  • the fourth and final movement in the video has one leg in the air and the other leg straight – this will add even more of your body weight to pull up

So there you have the Underhand Inverted Row.  It’s a challenging but very effective back and bicep exercise.  Try the easier version first and progressively work your way up to the harder version.  You can even put your legs up on a stability ball for an even harder challenge!

Give it a shot and let me know how you do in the comments below or if you have any questions.

Have a wonderful holiday season and I will see you in 2019 with another new exercise!

Reverse Lunge Kettlebell Pass

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Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week!  This week I have a dynamic lower body exercise for you called the Reverse Lunge Kettlebell Pass.  

The Reverse Lunge Kettlebell Pass will target your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes and will also work on your coordination and balance.  Passing the kettlebell underneath your front leg will keep you in the lunge position longer which will work the muscles more and your coordination and balance will come in to play when passing the weight underneath your leg.  You can also do this exercise with a medicine ball or dumbbell but the kettlebell is the easiest to hold on to.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Reverse Lunge Kettlebell Pass.

  • stand tall with the kettlebell hanging from your left hand at your side
  • take a big step back with your left leg and descend in to a lunge position
  • keep your back straight and remain as upright as possible
  • lower in to the lunge position until your legs are at 90 degree angles
  • from this bottom position, pass the kettlebell underneath your right leg and in to your right hand
  • push up through your right heel and return to the starting position
  • the kettlebell is now in your right hand hanging at your side
  • now take a big step back with your right leg and descend in to the lunge
  • pass the kettlebell underneath your left leg and in to your left hand
  • return to the starting position and repeat from side to side until you complete your desired reps or time
  • one thing to be aware of here is that there is a tendency to lean forward in the lunge position when passing the weight underneath your leg.  It’s important to remain as upright as possible throughout the exercise

So there you have the Reverse Lunge Kettlebell Pass.  It’s a fun variation of the lunge and can add a little extra challenge to your workouts and help build some balance and coordination.

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise! 

TRX Tricep Extension

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Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week.  I have a great TRX exercise for you that’s going to really target your tricep muscles.  It’s called the TRX Tricep Extension.  I should warn you though that your triceps could be quite sore the next day and you may have trouble washing your hair!

If you don’t have a TRX Suspension Trainer (I highly recommend getting one) you can also do this exercise on a table at home.  For a demo of that, check out this video:  How To: Triceps Extensions Using a Table

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the TRX Tricep Extension.

  • attach your TRX to a door at home, a tree outside, or a soccer net at a park like you see in the video
  • depending on your fitness level, bring your feet close to the anchor point to make this exercise more challenging or keep your feet further away from the anchor point to make it easier
  • keep your hands and elbows close together and raise your arms up until your upper arms are parallel or slightly above parallel to the ground
  • shift your body weight through your arms and in to the handles of the straps so that there is constant tension throughout the exercise
  • bend at the elbows and let your body fall forward in a controlled manner until your hands are back and above your head
  • keeping your elbows close together, push out through the palms of your hands and raise your body back up until your arms are fully extended
  • squeeze the tricep muscles when your arms are fully extended and then repeat the movement for your desired amount of reps or time
  • maintain tight flexed abs throughout the exercise

So there you have the TRX Tricep Extension!  You may have trouble washing your hair after but it will be worth it.

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Kettlebell Wood Chopper

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Hey there, I have a new Home Exercise of the Week for you to try called the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.  This is a great full body exercise that primarily works your core (especially obliques), quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders.

If you don’t have a kettlebell you can also do this with a medicine ball, dumbbell, or any weighted object you have at home that is easy to hold on to.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.

  • stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart and toes pointed slightly outward
  • hold the kettlebell down in front of you
  • descend in to a squat while keeping your abs tight and twist to your left so the kettlebell is to the outside of your left leg
  • keep your weight on your heels throughout the squat
  • come up from the squat position while swinging the kettlebell up and diagonally to the right
  • at the top position make sure your feet are firmly planted and your upper body is twisted to the right
  • keep your abs engaged throughout the movement
  • keep your arms as straight as you can and lower the kettlebell back down and to the left as you squat
  • repeat for your desired amount or reps or time and then repeat for your right side

So there you have the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.  Add this exercise to your full body routine or as part of your ab routine.  Your obliques will thank you for it!

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss

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Hello, it’s time again for a new Home Exercise of the Week.  This week I have another variation of everyone’s favourite exercise…the burpee!  I call it the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.

This variation of the burpee is going to give your core an extra challenge since you will be adding the instability of placing your hands on the ball when you’re in the full plank position.  As with other burpees, you will also be working your legs, shoulders, and arms.  The shoulders will get an extra workout as well with the overhead throw of the medicine ball.  And don’t forget the cardiovascular conditioning you will get when your heart is pumping hard during this exercise!

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.

  • crouch down and place a medicine ball down on the floor in front of you
  • keeping your hands on the ball and under your chest, jump your feet back until you are fully extended in a full plank position
  • keep your abs engaged to maintain your balance on the medicine ball
  • from this full plank position, jump your feet back up and underneath you then pick the ball up and stand up while trying to keep your back as straight as possible (like standing up from a squat)
  • once you are fully upright throw the medicine ball straight up over your head and then catch it on the way back down
  • lower the ball to the floor and repeat the movement for your desired amount of reps or time

So there you have the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.  Add this fun variation of the burpee in to your full body routine and let the sweating begin!

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!