How To

How to Use Free Weights for Core Strengthening

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

The tough part of strengthening the core muscles of the body, those located between your shoulders and your groin area, with free weights is choosing the correct exercises to isolate only those muscle groups.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Work the shoulder region with a traditional bench press. The goal is to find a weight that you can lift 12 to 15 times before your muscles fatigue. Perform three sets and when you reach fatigue, back off the weight and complete the set.

  2. Step 2

    Build your biceps by performing preacher curls. Use a curling bar for your weights and load it with a weight that will challenge you. After the first few days of lifting you will know exactly where that point is. Find a curling bench; this is nothing more than a padded board about stomach height against which you can brace your elbows and curl the bar. Do 12 to 15 reps and complete three sets. As before, when you reach muscle fatigue, back off the weight and complete the set.

  3. Step 3

    Concentrate on your back by doing bent-over lateral rows. Stand on both feet leaning slightly forward with your hands down at your side. Use 10 to 15 pound dumbbells to begin with. While keeping your arms straight, raise the dumbbells to the level of your back and then back down to the start position. Work 10 to 15 reps for three sets.

  4. Step 4

    Do abdominal and lower back workouts with a variety of different exercises, including sit-ups bearing a plate on your stomach and decline sit-ups add more of your own body weight.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Sports & Fitness Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness