Active Weights Posts

How To: Do squats with weights

This is Fitness for Dummies. Learn how to do squats properly. Squats exercise your butt, hips, and thighs, but primarily strengthen your quad muscles. Doing squats requires no equipment, but adding a barbell intensifies the workout. Do squats with weights.

How To: Do a barbell shoulder press

This is Fitness for Dummies. Learn how to do simple weight exercises. Strengthen your shoulder muscles with the shoulder press. This exercise also works your upper back and triceps. Work out at home with this video for strong, toned shoulders. Do a barbell shoulder press.

How To: Do 4 types of dumbbell punches

Get the shoulders of a boxer without ever entering the ring. This exercise builds your shoulders with a series of classic boxing moves, with weights in each hand to up the ante. Learn how to do dumbbell punches (the four types are: side-to-side, cross up, cross down, and hooks). Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life.

How To: Spot a bench press

One very important part of bench pressing is knowing how to spot someone properly. In these two how-to videos, Mark Rippetone shows you how to spot someone when they are on the bench. Watch as he focuses on grip distance, visual reference points and breath. Improve someone's bench pressing with your spotting abilities.

How To: Execute a power clean and push jerk

Proper form is very important to lifting weight and strength training. One wrong move could potentially lead to an injury. Follow along in this how-to video critique by Mark Rippetoe as he guides someone through the correct set up for a power clean and push jerk. Better form can lead to more effective lifting. Practice your power clean and push jerk.

How To: Keep a lordotic curve in your back when bench pressing

Proper form is very important to lifting weight and strength training. One wrong move could potentially lead to an injury. Follow along in this how-to video critique by Mark Rippetoe as he guides someone through the correct lordotic arch position in bench pressing. Better posture can lead to more effective lifting. Learn to maintain the lordotic curve in your back when doing a bench press.

How To: Do a proper overhead squat with a barbell

Proper form is very important to lifting weight and strength training. One wrong move could potentially lead to an injury. Follow along in this how-to video critique by Mark Rippetoe as he guides someone through the correct form for doing an overhead squat. Better posture can lead to more effective lifting. Learn how to do an overhead squat with proper form.

How To: Use your feet and legs for bench pressing

Proper posture is very important to lifting weight and strength training. One wrong move could potentially lead to an injury. Follow along in this how-to video critique by Mark Rippetoe as he guides someone through the correct placement and use of the legs and feet for bench presses. Better posture can lead to more effective lifting. Learn how to use your legs and feet to help you lift your chest and the weights.

How To: Do front squat with dumbbells and kettlebells

This fitness how-to video demonstrates proper form and technique for performing a front squat with both kettle bells and dumbbells. Exercising with weights is a great way to strength train muscles. Follow along with this video workout to see how easy it is to do front squats with dumbbells and kettlebells.

How To: Position yourself for the bench press

Proper form when performing the bench press in extremely important to avoid back and shoulder injury. Arching the back when doing the bench press is very common and very harmful. This how to video covers proper grip width and back arch when positioning yourself for the bench press.

How To: Do side dumbbell lateral raises

Increase arm strength with side dumbbell lateral raises. Learn how to work out with dumbbell exercises in this training video. Take action: begin with moderate weight, keep shoulders back and chest high with abs tight, doing slow and controlled movements. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifti...

How To: Do barbell pullovers

Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video. Take action: use chest press position, do not bend the elbows, inhale on the way down, and keep feet planted. Tom Clifford, the instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He also has a separate business where he coaches runners and triathletes for up...

How To: Do tricep cruls with dumbbells

Triceps curls target the muscles at the back of the arm, building muscle mass and toning. Learn how to do triceps curl exercises in this strength training video. Take action: extend arm above head & elbow at 45 degrees, move slowly, lower weight and extend up, fix your upper arm in place, and lift to 7/8 of full extension. Tom Clifford, the instructor of this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-cou...

How To: Do neck exercises with barbells

Tone your neck muscles with this barbell workout. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video. Take action: use a partner or safety machine, place pad of barbell on head, flex neck to lift head straight up, keep lower back straight, and move slowly. Tom Clifford, hte instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer...

How To: Do rear neck curls

Working out can help to prevent neck injury. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video. Take action: use light weight and towel, place stomach flat on bench, hang neck off bench and lift forward, and lift neck straight up using hands for support. Tom Clifford, the instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer ...

How To: Do weighted shoulder exercises using a stability ball

Also known as a Swiss ball or an exercise ball, this workout prop breaks up your routine. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video. Take action: keep back straight and abs tight, hold ball in place, while a partner presses down. Tom Clifford, the instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He...

How To: Do isometric chest presses

Strength training promotes endurance. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video. Take action: use bench press position, move one arm at a time, keep shoulders from rolling or moving, and place feet flat on floor. Tom Clifford, the instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He also has a separ...

How To: Do triceps extension exercises for seniors

Triceps extensions for seniors target the triceps muscles of the upper arm to build muscle mass and tone. Learn how to do triceps extension exercises for seniors in this strength training video. Take action: use sturdy chair, keep back straight and abs tight, use light weight, lift elbow and hold in place, lower the weight, extend 7/8 of full potential, and contract triceps. Tom Clifford, the instructor in this how-to video, has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern ...

How To: Do lying skull crusher barbell extensions

Increase muscle strength with barbell exercises done while lying down. Learn about muscle training, fitness, and growth in this fitness video. Take action: do not rock arms and keep core tight. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training aspiring female body builders as sh...

How To: Do quad extensions to strengthen the legs

Exercise the quadriceps muscle with quad extensions. Learn about increasing leg strength in this training video. Take action: keep core tight, squeeze legs at top of movement, but only legs will move. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training aspiring female body builder...

How To: Do seated lateral dumbbell exercises

Strengthen the arms and the core with seated laterals. Learn how lateral exercises and weightlifting can keep you fit in this video. Take action: begin with a moderate weight, use slow and controlled movements, but do not keep hands above elbows. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and sh...

How To: Do stiff arm lat pull downs

Keep arms stiff for lateral pull downs. Learn exercises for the lats in this training video. Take action: this is a great exercise for swimmers or surfers, keep shoulders back and arms straight, but do not curl shoulders. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training aspirin...

How To: Do weighted sumo squats with a barbell

Sumo squats will help to strengthen the legs. Learn how to properly do squats in this workout video. Take Action: hold in squat position to increase difficulty, feet wider then normal squat, and keep chest and head high. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training aspiring...

How To: Do tricep kick backs to strengthen the arms

Increase strength in the triceps with triceps kick backs. Learn about muscle growth with arm exercises in this fitness video. Take action: keep head in line with spine, only movement should be with lower arm, and keep core tight. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training...

How To: Do butt and thigh press exercises

Work out the butt and thighs with press exercises. Learn about butt and thigh presses in this dumbbell fitness video. Take action: place feet higher or lower depending on target area, bring thighs to chest without rolling hips, but do not lock knees. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting an...

How To: Do dumbbell concentration bicep curls

Work out your arms with dumbbell concentration curls. Learn how to exercises with curls in this fitness video. Take action: stay tight without rocking, get full range of motion, squeeze at the top of the movement, and plant your elbow. Michelle, the instructor in this how-to video, is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys tr...

How To: Do dumbbell rear lunges

Increase muscle strength and flexibility with dumbbell rear lunges. Learn about dumbbell weight training and exercises in this video. Take action: keep chest high, shoulders back, core tight, raise knee to increase difficulty, make sure back step is big, and add hop to increase difficulty. Michelle is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting ...

How To: Do deadweight standing crunches

Increase muscle strength with dead lift exercises. Learn tips and techniques for proper weightlifting in this fitness video. Take action: keep bar close to legs, don't round the back and use proper form. Michelle is a personal trainer at a gym in NC and has been a personal trainer for several years. She is certified through ACE and is a certified aerobics instructor as well. Her Specialty is weight lifting and she enjoys training aspiring female body builders as she is one herself. She focuse...

How To: Do shoulder isolation exercises

Isolate shoulder muscles with specific weightlifting exercises. Learn tips and techniques for working out the chest, back, shoulders, and arms in this weightlifting video. Take action: targeting anterior & lateral deltoids, bring dumbbells to side with feet shoulder-width apart. Lance is certified personal trainer through American Fitness Association of America. He graduated from UNC with a biology degree and currently works for a gym. He specializes in weight training, circuit training, endu...

How To: Do shoulder compound exercises

Work out several muscle groups with compound exercises. Learn tips and techniques for working out the chest, back, shoulders, and arms in this weightlifting video. Take action: involve many muscles, work shoulders and triceps, have a spotter, and lift straight above head. Lance is certified personal trainer through American Fitness Association of America. He graduated from UNC with a biology degree and currently works for a gym. He specializes in weight training, circuit training, endurance t...