5 Underrated Exercises For Improved Results

You cannot go past the basics. The squat, presses, pulls, and hinging must form most of your training. However, just below that, there are underated exercises that you tend to forget about. Everybody loves an underdog, right? The one nobody expects to win but does, like the Eagles in last night’s Super Bowl.

This usually gives most people a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

The following underrated exercises will provide a win for your body. These exercises will help protect your body from injury and will improve your performance in the lifts listed above.

Sorry, there will be no warm fuzzy feeling from winning. Just your muscles are burning in appreciation.

1. Kettlebell swings

Kettle bells (those cannon ball looking things in your gym) originated in Russia and have been documented as far back as 1704.

Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years because of their versatility and results kettle bells can give you. The foundation movement is called the kettle bell swing.

When the swing is performed correctly, it will provide a better-looking behind, protection against low back pain for most people, and a strong core. Plus, it’s a great, high-intensity, low-impact exercise. There are so many benefits to the cannonball. Get some today.

2. Landmine press

Cannonballs and landmines, do you sense a theme here? However, both will help you, not destroy you.

The landmine is a piece of equipment that allows you to put one end of a barbell into it. If your gym doesn’t have it, sticking the barbell into a corner will do. This will allow you to do my favorite exercise, the Landmine press.

The Landmine press is half way between a shoulder press and a bench press. This combined with the barbell being slightly forward from the head, reduces stress on the shoulders. If your shoulders are beat up and you still want to lift, do this exercise.

3. Side lying lateral raises

These differ from your standing lateral raises (besides the obvious) because the beginning of the movement is much more difficult.

The side-lying position more effectively targets the rotator cuff, helping your shoulders stay healthier and stronger longer. Plus, this exercise gives you sexier shoulders. Trust me, I’m a trainer.

4. Farmer’s carry

This exercise is as simple as picking up something heavy, holding on for dear life, and walking. However, simple doesn’t mean easy. It challenges your grip strength, forearms, shoulders, back, core, and legs.

Plus, it will improve your cardiovascular capacity without punishing yourself on the treadmill. Now, that’s some serious bang for your exercise buck.

5. Band pull apart

In today’s world, we spend too much time with our shoulders slouching forward, which weakens the muscles between our shoulder blades.

Pulling the band apart will help undo this. This exercise will keep your shoulders happy as it directly targets the muscles weakened by this bad habit.

And who doesn’t want to stand loud and proud?

Insert one or more of these underrated exercises into your routine as soon as possible. Your body will reap the benefits, and so will the scale.

Email- shanemcleantraining@gmail.com