Weight Bench Exercises
by Robert
You are at the gym. You are faced with a number of weight benches. You have no clue which exercise is best for you. What is the best exercise to tone your abs? Is there a better exercise than just crunches? What about an exercise to tone your forearms, biceps, triceps and shoulders? There are numerous weight bench exercises with minor little twists that you can modify for almost every body and muscle in your body. Let’s talk about some of the more popular weight bench exercises done each day in gyms worldwide.
Weight Bench Exercise Safety & Etiquette
First of all, you need to become familiar with the type of weight bench you are using. Is it an adjustable weight bench or a flat weight bench? If adjustable, make sure you fit yourself to it in a manner that is comfortable, safe, and secure, to avoid injury while working out. Always keep someone nearby as a spotter, in case you grow fatigued. This is especially important when using weight lifting equipment like a bench press or when doing curls with regular or adjustable dumbbells using heavy weights. The other rule of thumb, especially in public gyms, is to make sure you return your weight sets used to the weight racks they came from, ready for the next person to use. If you broke a sweat, make sure to wipe the weight training bench down, and sanitize it if possible.
Resistance Training – The Basics
First of all, always stretch before doing any kind of exercise to loosen and warm those muscles. Use ankle weights and wrist weights to further loosen up your muscles. Then, use your chosen weight bench to its fullest capabilities. Many gyms have all-in-one weight benches, or weight machines, that allow you exercise many different parts of your body, all using one piece of equipment. For example, you could do bench pressing, butterfly presses, leg curls, ab crunches, and more, all using one piece of weight lifting equipment. Just remember, don’t over-exert yourself – if your muscles feel fatigued, it is likely beyond time to end your routine and focus on a different muscle. Make sure to eat a banana or something else high in potassium after your workout, to avoid cramping, and give your body a few days to recover from your workout.
Staying on Track With Your Weight Training Exercises
The most difficult thing about working out is keeping to a regular routine. You can certainly visit the gym daily, but make sure you vary your weight bench exercises so as not to use the same muscle group each day – instead of seeing benefits, you could actually cause serious injury and damage. Make sure you plan your workouts accordingly, and take a partner along with you for motivation and encouragement. Doing it alone is possible – doing it with a friend makes it much more fun, not to mention you can hold each other accountable to actually stick to your commitment. Some might say, misery loves company – but your partner will help the time pass and the workout go more quickly.
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