New Ways to Work the Muscles!
Well, I have been searching for a picture of a certain butt/glute exercise to show you all but can't seem to find what I want so I will keep searching & keep you "longing for more" for now. BUT, while I was searching, I found some great exercise pictures from Bodybuilding.com that show you new ways to work your muscles so that not only do you not get bored (hear that from a lot of people that hate lifting weights & I just don't get it! HA! You know me!) and keeps your body guessing!
Cable Crunch:
Now I am sure many of you have heard of this but the pics will show you the proper form. Some people face away from the machine but I prefer to do these per the pics. See how she curves the body. Hold & contract before doing the next rep. You can try a straight bar or other cable attachment for variety. Do these at home with your exercise bands attached to a NON MOVABLE object!
Tips from Bodybuilding.com: Kneel below a high pulley. Grasp cable rope attachment and place wrists against the head. Flex hips slightly and allow the weight to hyperextend the lower back. With the hips stationary, flex the waist so the elbows travel toward the middle of the thighs. Return and repeat.
Variation of the Cable Crunch
Use a large swiss exercise ball if you don't have the bench.
Tips from Bodybuilding.com:
Preparation:
Seat with back support away from a medium high pulley. Grasp the cable rope attachment with both hands and place securely over the both shoulders. Allow the weight to hyperextend the lower back slightly.
Execution:
With the hips stationary, flex the waist so the elbows travel toward the hips. Return and repeat.
Low Cable Tricep Extension:
This can be done on a regular bench at the cable machine but I thought this variation was pretty cool! Again, to do at home, attach your exercise bands to a NON MOVABLE object!
Tips from Bodybuilding.com: Position yourself face up on the bench of a seated row station. Your head should be towards the attachment. Using a tricep rope, grab the outside of the rope ends with your palms facing in. Start with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms vertical. Extend your lower arms until they are vertical WITHOUT moving your elbows from the starting position. Squeeze your triceps, then slowly return to the starting position.
Lying Cable Curl: 
I posted about this before but I don't think I had a picture of the exercise. Vary the grip width & cable attachment for variety. Also, you can do this with a bench as well. Again, to do at home, attach your exercise bands to a NON MOVABLE object!
Tips from Bodybuilding.com: Grab a short cable bar that is attached to the low pulley with both hands, using an underhand grip. Lie flat on your back in front of the weight stack with your feet flat against the frame of the pulley machine. Your legs should be straight. Rest the bar on your thighs and slightly bend your arms. Without moving your elbows, curl the bar up slowly toward your chest. Squeeze the biceps for a second and then slowly return to the starting position. Don't bend your knees or lift your head off of the ground!
OK. There are some new ways to change up your routine. More to come later in the week! Also, think outside the box. It is amazing how just changing the cable attachment, width of grip, cable vs. exercise band, weights vs. cables will change the whole feel of the exercise! ENJOY!!!!
these are great...and great pics to demonstrate with. thanks
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i always like having the pictures available. i notice in my husband's Muscle & Fitness magazine, they list tons of stuff, but a lot don't have pictures to show you the correct form. thanks!
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I have never done cable exercises. Thank you for the information. I'll have to look around the fitness center for them.
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I am always so intimidated by these cable exercises. I see people doing them all the time at my gym, just have yet to test them out. I guess cause I never really knew "how" to. The pictures do help with that a little bit - I am going to have to get the courage to try them out
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I love the cable crunch with a swiss ball!! It's so great for stability!!
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Oh gosh, someday when the kids are older I'll get a gym membership and do all these cool moves you suggest. This morning I alternated between triceps dips using my dresser and folding clothes as I watched the baby crawl around. But it works! 3 sets of dips and laundry folded!
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Cable curls rock... resistance band crunches rock even MORE.
If you like these, switch up the cables fore resistance bands since the tension keeps getting more intense.
Oh and your abs will hurt so bad the next day that if you start to laugh you'll end up crying.
Don't say FJ didn't warn ya!
Cheers.
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Glad you all liked the post & more coming tomorrow! Cables keep continuous tension so they are really cool! Don't get intimidated.. just like doing your weights!
Josie, if you have exercise or resistance bands at home, you can mimic these exercises. As I wrote in the post, attach to a NON MOVABLE object!
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Thanks for these! I may try that cable curl tomorrow! I did the cable crunch once, and I'm not sure about trying it again without someone to monitor my form. We'll see.
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Jody - My husband doesn't move much. I'll attach it to him.
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You are so friggin funny!!!!!!!!!!
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