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Home » Exercises » Page 4

Exercise Guides: How To's and Comparisons

These are posts that help you choose exercises to fit your goals and how to perform them safely and effectively.

The 6 Most Effective Lower Chest Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 12, 2026


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Plenty of lifters bench flat, press a little incline, and figure the chest is handled. The lower pecs are what give the chest a defined bottom edge, and flat pressing doesn’t load them the way an angled cable does.

Cables hold tension on the muscle through the whole rep instead of falling off at the bottom like a dumbbell, and you can set the pulleys to pull from angles a barbell can’t reach. They’re also kinder to your shoulders than heavy decline work.

Below are the six lower chest cable exercises I’d actually program, with why each one earns a spot, how to perform it, and how to work it into your week. If you train the top of your chest too, run these alongside our picks for the upper chest cable exercises, and if the lower portion is the part that’s lagging, our guide to fixing an underdeveloped lower chest digs in deeper.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 4 Best Rotator Cuff Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 18, 2026


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Are you struggling to improve your shoulder’s range of motion?

Experiencing aches and pains in your shoulder when throwing, swimming, or rowing?

Well, cable exercises that specifically target the rotator cuff might be just the thing you need. They help to improve the shoulder’s stability, strength, and mobility.

We’ve tried all of the exercises out there and put together this list of the four best to give you a headstart. We’ll tell you about the benefits of each one, how to perform them properly and give you some other useful information about the rotator cuff.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 8 Most Effective Compound Glute Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Are you looking for compound exercises that primarily engage your glutes but also target other muscle groups? Well, you’re in luck!

We’ve spent a lot of time testing out the most popular (and some of the lesser known) compound glute exercises to see which ones are the most effective for building strength and muscle mass.

We’ve compiled this list of the best ones so that you can choose the exercises that are right for you.

We’ll tell you all about the benefits of each one, how to perform them properly, how to program your workout routines and much more!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 11 Most Effective Compound Leg Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Leg day is vital in your workout routine, and compound leg exercises mean more bang for your buck – especially if you’re short on time. Activating multiple muscle groups has many benefits for your lower body, such as burning more calories and improving intramuscular coordination.

Read along to learn about the best compound leg exercises, their benefits, and how to perform them.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 10 Most Effective Back Compound Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated March 25, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

In the pursuit of a stronger and more well-defined back, using compound exercises is crucial. These movements work multiple muscles at once, making them perfect for an effective (and efficient) workout.

Not only can this save you time in the gym, but it also means that your entire back is being worked by one or two exercises for a well-rounded physique.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro at bulking up your muscles, everyone can benefit from our list of the 10 best compound back exercises.

[Read more…]

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The 8 Most Effective Upper Body Compound Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated March 25, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Are you on the hunt for compound exercises that efficiently target your upper body muscles? You’re in the right place!

We’ve researched the most popular and effective compound upper body exercises to determine which ones are the most efficient for building strength and muscle mass.

We’ve assembled this list of the top ones so you can pick the exercises that best suit your needs.

You’ll find comprehensive details about the advantages of each exercise, how to execute them correctly, and how to program your workout routines.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 8 Most Effective Dumbbell Compound Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 26, 2026


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Whether you’re aiming to enhance your power, optimize your training routine, or maximize your gym investment, you’ve landed on the perfect guide for dumbbell compound exercises.

These aren’t just randomly selected workouts. Every dumbbell compound exercise in this guide is supported by research regarding its efficiency.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 10 Most Effective Compound Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Whether you’re looking to boost your strength, streamline your workout, or get the most bang for your buck at the gym, you’ve come to the right place for the ultimate guide to compound exercises.

These aren’t just any old exercises that we’ve thrown together. All of the exercises in this guide are backed up by research in terms of their effectiveness.

Ready to get a taste of the secret sauce to efficient training? Let’s go!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 7 Best Compound Shoulder Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Compound shoulder exercises are an integral part of any comprehensive strength training program. Even though these exercises are ultimately designed to target your shoulders, they also engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing a more efficient workout overall.

Compound movements also elicit a higher hormonal response, releasing essential growth hormones and testosterone, making it easier to lose fat and gain muscle.

Incorporating compound exercises into your routine not only expedites strength gains and broadens your shoulders, but also enhances joint stability and flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries.

Let’s look at some of the top compound shoulder exercises you should add to your routine to build your upper body.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 6 Best Compound Tricep Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Are you struggling to build your arms? Do you feel like you lack definition, no matter how many upper arm workouts you do?

You might be doing the wrong exercises for your triceps! When it comes to building arm muscles, compound exercises are the way to go. These exercises not only target your triceps but also the surrounding muscle groups to give you well-defined, strong arms.

Read on for the 6 best compound tricep exercises and their benefits. We’ll also discuss how to train your triceps and briefly touch on the anatomy of the triceps muscles.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 7 Best Compound Hamstring Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 25, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Your hamstrings are not just there to help you run down a hill, or prevent you from touching your toes. These muscles are key to most leg movements, including running, jumping, squatting, lunging, and weightlifting. In fact, you use your hamstrings in most athletic activities.

But, it can be tough to tackle the large muscles at the back of your upper legs. Are you struggling to build bigger legs? Or do you simply want to enhance the explosive power in your lower body?

If you’re struggling to strengthen your hamstrings, read on for the 6 best compound exercises that you can start doing today. We’ll also cover the benefits of compound exercises for your hamstrings, your hamstring anatomy, and how you should train these muscles.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 7 Best Ankle Strap Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 5, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

If you’re looking for low-impact exercises that effectively target the lower body, then look no further than ankle strap cable exercises.

They’re a great way to strengthen your hamstrings, quads, and glutes while putting minimal stress on your joints. Plus, they help to tone and shape your lower body, so you can achieve the look you’re after.

Yet, with so many different types of ankle strap cable exercises out there, it can be tricky to choose the right ones for you.

Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you.

We’ve tested them all and decided on this top 7 list of the best ones out there.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 5 Best Upper Chest Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 12, 2026


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

If free weight pressing hasn’t filled out your upper chest the way you hoped, you’re not the only one. The flat and incline bench are great for mass, but they aren’t the sharpest tools for loading the clavicular fibers up top.

That’s where cables earn their keep. A cable holds tension on the muscle through the whole rep instead of dropping off at the bottom the way a dumbbell does, and the adjustable pulleys let you attack the upper pecs from angles a barbell can’t reach. They’re also easier on the shoulders than heavy overhead work.

Below are the five cable exercises I’d actually program for the upper chest. For each one I’ll cover why it works, how to perform it, and a video so you can see it in action. If you train the bottom of your chest too, pair these with our picks for the lower chest cable exercises, and our guide to the best cable upper body exercises covers the rest of your pressing and pulling.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 5 Best Low Back Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 12, 2026


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

A strong lower back is the foundation under almost everything you do in the gym, from deadlifts and squats to simply standing up straight at the end of a long day. The cable machine is one of my favorite tools for training it, because the stack keeps constant tension on the erector spinae and the rest of the posterior chain through the whole range of motion, and it does so without dumping a heavy bar onto your spine.

That combination makes cable work a smart choice whether you are rebuilding after a tweak, adding accessory volume to your main lifts, or you just want a lower-back day that does not leave you beat up. The exercises below lean on smooth, scalable resistance, so you can start light and groove the movement before you ever chase weight. If you want to widen the net beyond the lumbar region, our guide to the best back cable exercises covers the upper and mid-back too.

I picked these five because together they cover the three jobs the lower back actually has to do: hinge under load, extend the spine through a controlled range, and resist rotation to stay stable. Each one uses standard cable equipment you will find in any commercial gym, and each scales from beginner to advanced by changing the weight, the range, or the tempo. Here is how I would rank and use them.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 16 Best Upper Body Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Remember the first time you stepped into the gym and caught a glimpse of the cable machine?

We’ll bet that you looked at it with a mix of curiosity and intimidation, like a novice chef facing a gourmet kitchen. The problem isn’t just the overwhelming options, it’s finding the right recipe for success. Think of it like wanting to bake a cake but only having the ingredients for salad.

In this case, your upper body is the cake. So, let’s get the ingredients to bake it.

Here are the top 16 cable exercises for your upper body.

Time to cook up some gains!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 6 Best Cable Exercises for Abs & Core

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 3, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Your body is an untouched slab of marble waiting to be chiseled into a masterpiece. You’re the artist, so all you need are the right tools to make this happen. But which ones do you pick, especially for your abs? We can comfortably tell you that the cable machine is the tool you want and need.

It’s the perfect tool for keeping things interesting while really targeting those abs. Now, all you have to think about is which cable ab exercises to do. Scratch that, there’s no need to think, the following guide will break down the best cable ab workouts for you.

[Read more…]

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The 11 Best Arm Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 3, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Sculpting strong and well-defined arms involves a lot of dedication and strategic planning. Of course, one of the most important aspects of curating your arm workout is to choose the right exercises – otherwise, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to see the dramatic changes you want!

For everyone from beginners to bodybuilders, specific gym equipment can act as invaluable tools. This is because they offer more control, versatility, and lower injury risks than using free weights. But there’s one machine that stands out above all the others when it comes to bulking up your arms: the cable machine.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 7 Best Tricep Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 2, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

The cable machine is a super versatile piece of gym equipment – the perfect ally in your pursuit of stronger, more muscular arms. When you want to work your triceps, this machine comes in handy with plenty of different tricep exercises you can do by only changing the attachments!

Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite tricep cable machine workouts to help you get familiar with this versatile piece of gym equipment and realize your goals.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 8 Best Compound Bodyweight Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Are you looking to exercise multiple muscle groups at the same time without fancy equipment? Compound bodyweight exercises are one of the most effective ways to strengthen your muscles without weights. Your own body weight is used as resistance, so these exercises are perfect for when you are traveling or want to work out at home.

Some bodyweight exercises focus on specific muscle groups, such as the rear deltoids, but compound exercises focus on activating several muscle groups at once. This is a major plus as it saves you time when it comes to your daily workout.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises




The 8 Best Bicep Cable Exercises

By Kyle Risley
Last updated January 29, 2024


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Do you want more powerful and well-defined biceps? The journey to stronger arm muscles isn’t easy, but it is worth it. You’ll need to put in time and dedication and create a well-rounded routine to get the results you’re after. However, there is a way to streamline your workouts to make them safer and much more efficient.

That’s where cable exercises come in – they are total game-changers for defining your biceps. That’s why we’ve compiled the 8 best bicep cable exercises for stronger, more sculpted arms. Our guide will help you to perfect your workout regimen and transform your arms in no time.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Exercises
Tagged With: Exercises for Muscle Groups



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