Gym equipment can become contaminated with bacteria through bodily fluids such as sweat. As someone visiting the gym tends to use multiple machines, sweat can be disseminated quite quickly. If a gym does not have a daily cleaning regime, this could result in an unhygienic training environment.
The Nordic curl and glute ham raise are eccentric exercises that target the hamstrings. The primary difference between the two is that the Nordic curl is a supramaximal movement meaning you should reach a point of failure and be unable to execute the concentric part of the exercise.
If you plan on competing in powerlifting there are many items you can use to help advance you in the sport and help to prevent injuries. It’s important to remember that powerlifting federations will have their own rules in relation to what can and cannot be used.
The squat is a functional compound exercise that involves driving back the hips as though sitting, whilst bending at the knees and ankles. The movement engages multiple muscle groups throughout the body with an emphasis on the lower body.
The military press, also known as an overhead press, is a compound exercise that targets the upper body muscles with most emphasis on the shoulders. It can be undertaken using either a barbell or dumbbells and requires strict form with some recruitment of the core muscles but with no leg drive.
Both powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting are competitive sports in which the athlete is required to undertake a number of lifts. Whilst each form of sports requires a significant amount of strength and athleticism there are a few factors which differentiate one from the other.
A safety squat bar, sometimes abbreviated to an SSB bar, is a barbell with a camber at each end which keeps the centre of weight mass lower when compared to a regular straight bar. This throws the user off balance making a squat more challenging.
Exercising at home has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with people keen to incorporate a good training routine without the need for attending a gym. There was a significant spike in working out at home during covid lockdowns due to gym closures and a number of surveys suggest that those who began working out at home, plan on continuing.
The landmine press is a compound exercise, meaning that it targets a number of muscles. The muscles worked during this exercise include the deltoids, scapular stabilizers, triceps, upper back, upper chest muscles and the abdominals.
The hack squat is a variation of a squat exercise which is performed on a machine. It works by allowing the user to squat with good form whilst offering stability to the upper body. This makes it a good option for those who want to squat without engaging supporting muscles such as the core and lower back.