Exercises by Bodypart for Women

These two essential calf movements will sharpen every facet of your lower leg. Your calves are composed primarily of your gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and they are responsible for plantar flexion at the ankle — i.e., getting you up on your tippy-toes. Unilateral exercises such as this one focus on one leg at a time, promoting...

Try these two essential hamstring moves that can improve your training potential — and your rear view. Well-trained hamstrings can improve athletic performance, boost strength in heavier lifts and round out your rear view. Romanian DeadliftForm: Romanian (Stiff-Legged) Deadlift A standard barbell deadlift begins with the weight on the floor with your knees bent, putting the hamstrings at...

Improve performance and construct a no-nonsense core with this descending ladder workout. Whether your goal is to lose weight or get shredded, everything begins and ends with your core. “This workout incorporates all the abdominal muscles and works to strengthen your midsection, improving performance,” says Ruben Belliard, CPT, group fitness instructor, weight management specialist and youth...

Skullcrushers, aka lying triceps extensions, are a fabulous triceps-shaping move. Here are some tips on form and function. Though it has an intimidating name, a skullcrusher is one of the best isolation moves around to work your triceps through their full range of motion against gravity, specifically targeting the long and medial heads of your triceps...

Try these moves to whittle your waist and enhance crucial strength. Many abdominal workouts focus exclusively on your six-pack, but in truth, your core is 360 degrees of muscle, tendon and ligament encircling your middle. When we talk about the core, we’re referring to your abs, your hips and your lower back — foundational elements for...

Use these mobility sequence to improve form, strength and performance.The health and mobility of your thoracic spine is integral to spinal and shoulder function, and ignoring this area could negatively affect performance, strength and posture, and could even add pressure to your lower back, resulting in pain and discomfort. Using several stretching techniques in...

Make the most out of this upper-body-building move.Push-ups are the ultimate move for developing upper body strength and shape, working the chest, shoulders, back, core and forearms. Unfortunately they’re also one of the most abused moves around in terms of form, with many versions of ugly happening in gyms, on playing fields and in living...

Often overlooked, nothing is more stunning and important to your everyday activities than strong, sculpted traps.If you carry a heavy purse, schlep bags full of groceries or tote a toddler, you depend on your traps every day. But when was the last time you included them in your workout? For too many women, the answer...

Having a well-defined trapezius is a boon for backless dresses, balanced posture and building strength.The trapezius spreads across your back, neck and shoulder blades, covering the rhomboids and helping define the V-shape of the latissimus dorsi. Because of its size, various zones perform different functions: The upper traps draw your scapulae upward and allow you to...

Construct some serious strength with these four variations of the shoulder press.For upper-body strength and athletic power, few moves rival the overhead press. From a functional standpoint, pressing weight overhead requires stability from floor to core while still requiring adequate shoulder movement in all directions. Overhead presses are also a staple for building the shapely curves of the anterior and medial deltoids, and...