Latest news with #Trainer
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Trainer Shares 5 Dangerous Exercises Men Over 40 Should 'Never Do Again'
Trainer Shares 5 Dangerous Exercises Men Over 40 Should 'Never Do Again' originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Trainer Bobby Maximus isn't afraid to speak bluntly when it comes to gym mistakes, especially for men over 40. "Sometimes, all it takes is one bad rep to ruin your day,' he says in a recent video, listing his most hated exercises for men 40 and up. His advice is to take these outdated exercises out of your program before they wreck your joints and swap them for smarter, more functional to Avoid for Men Over 40 Behind the Neck Pulldown "People do this because they think they're isolating the lats," Maxiumus says. "That type of movement is going to put an excessive amount of stress on your rotator cuffs, on your joints." Instead, try pullups with a neutral grip or inverted rows. They're more joint-friendly and still hit your back hard. Behind the Neck Presses Maximus says these are a disaster waiting to happen for your shoulders. Swap them for dumbbell presses, which allow a safer range of motion and more control. Crunch "People get down on the ground, think they're gonna get a six-pack," he quips. "Yes, if you do enough of these you'll feel a burn in your abs—I'm not gonna deny that. But this is one of the least functional exercises you can ever do when it comes to abdominals." Not to mention, they often lead to neck strain. A better option? High planks. They hit your core and improve overall stability. Leg Extensions Unless you're rehabbing a knee injury, Maximus sees no value in this isolated movement. Instead, go for squats. They work more muscles and carry over to real-world strength. Hip Thrusts Maximus calls hip thrusts his most hated exercise of all time. He thinks it's "absolute trash." He's seen too many people blow out their backs trying to isolate their glutes. Replace it with deficit Bulgarian split squats for a safer, more effective lower-body Shares 5 Dangerous Exercises Men Over 40 Should 'Never Do Again' first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Best and Worst Chest Exercises, According to a Trainer
The Best and Worst Chest Exercises, According to a Trainer originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Chest day is sacred. But if you're just benching and hoping for the best, you're leaving serious gains on the table. Your chest is a complex group that responds differently depending on the angle, grip, and tool you use—not just a flat slab of muscle. In this guide, we're breaking down the most popular chest exercises from the best to the ones you could probably ditch, while also telling you what part of your chest each one targets. That way, you're training hard, training with intent, and most importantly, training smart. We also included training tips, rep/set guidelines, and movement classifications to help you program with purpose.A Quick Chest Anatomy Primer Your chest contains two main muscles: Pectoralis Major: The large, fan-shaped muscle most guys think of when they hear 'pecs.' It has: Clavicular head (upper chest) Sternal head (middle and lower chest) Pectoralis Minor: A smaller muscle underneath that helps stabilize and control scapular movement. While you can't completely isolate 'inner' or 'outer' pecs, you can emphasize specific regions based on: Bench angle Arm path Grip width Resistance type (free weights vs. machines) The Best Chest Exercises These are the foundational lifts that should anchor your chest training. They build mass, strength, and symmetry across multiple regions of the chest. 1. Barbell Bench Press The benchmark of upper-body strength. You can load it heavily, progress easily, and recruit large amounts of muscle. A slightly wider grip emphasizes the pecs over the triceps. Primary Target: Middle Chest Secondary: Front delts, triceps Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 4 sets of 5 to 8 reps 2. Incline Dumbbell Press Incline pressing with dumbbells builds the upper chest and allows for a deeper stretch than barbells. The independent arms also allow for better pec contraction and shoulder safety. Primary Target: Upper Chest Secondary: Front delts, inner chest Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps 3. Cable Chest Flyes Cables provide constant tension, especially at the top of the rep, where dumbbells tend to lose tension. They're ideal for targeting the squeeze and building that deep line down the center of the chest. Primary Target: Inner and Middle Chest Secondary: Front delts Type: Isolation Sets/Reps: 3 to 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps 4. Weighted Dips (Chest Lean) When you lean forward and flare your elbows, dips become a brutal chest exercise. They allow for a massive range of motion and can be loaded with plates or a belt. Primary Target: Lower Chest Secondary: Triceps, front delts Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 3 sets of 6 to 10 reps 5. Machine Chest Press (Hammer Strength or Plate Loaded) The machine chest press eliminates stabilizers from the equation, allowing you to focus on pure chest output. Great for hypertrophy and high-volume work after barbell or dumbbell sets. Primary Target: Whole Chest (slightly middle-biased) Secondary: Triceps Type: Compound (guided) Sets/Reps: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps The Average Chest Exercises These aren't bad. They can still build muscle, but they either limit range of motion, don't target the chest directly, or have better alternatives. 6. Push-Ups A great beginner tool or burnout finisher. But without added resistance, it won't get you far in terms of hypertrophy unless you're doing high-rep sets or advanced progressions. Primary Target: Middle Chest Secondary: Triceps, shoulders, core Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 3 to 4 sets to failure or 15 to 25 reps 7. Pec Deck / Machine Flyes Delivers a solid contraction but limits the stretch. Great for pump work or drop sets, but less effective for mass-building compared to cable or dumbbell flyes. Primary Target: Inner Chest Secondary: Minimal Type: Isolation Sets/Reps: 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps 8. Decline Barbell Press While it can overload the lower pecs, it often becomes triceps-dominant. Many lifters also experience awkward shoulder positioning, and some benches don't accommodate proper leg drive. Primary Target: Lower Chest Secondary: Triceps Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 3 sets of 6 to 10 reps 9. Flat Dumbbell Press Still effective, but often gets overshadowed by the barbell version. Requires more stabilization and control, so the potential for strength is lower. Great for hypertrophy, though. Primary Target: Middle Chest Secondary: Front delts, triceps Type: Compound Sets/Reps: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps The Below-Average Chest Exercises These are either outdated, misused, or just less effective than the alternatives. They're not useless, but they shouldn't be your go-to moves. 10. Dumbbell Pullover Historically thought of as a chest expander, but most of the stretch and load is felt in the lats. Some benefit from it, but most use it as a filler rather than a chest builder. Primary Target: Questionably chest; often lats Secondary: Lats, triceps Type: Hybrid Sets/Reps: 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps 11. Guillotine Press Popularized by old-school bodybuilders, this movement puts excessive stress on the shoulders and neck. The risk-to-reward ratio is just too high for most lifters. Primary Target: Upper Chest Secondary: Shoulders Type: Compound Sets/Reps: Not recommended 12. Standing Plate Press (Svend Press) The plate's weight and size limit you, and most of the burn is from isometric tension, not dynamic overload. It can be a burnout move, but there are better options. Primary Target: Inner Chest (mildly) Secondary: Front delts Type: Isometric / Isolation Sets/Reps: 2 to 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps Chest Training Tips for Maximum Growth Want to get more out of your chest workouts? Apply these principles to create a more complete and visually appealing chest. 1. Train Chest 1–2 Times Per Week Hit your chest at least once a week with high intent. For optimal growth, train it twice—once focusing on strength and once on volume and hypertrophy. 2. Prioritize Based on Weak Points Lacking upper chest? Start with incline movements. Want more inner chest? Use cable or pec deck flyes and focus on squeezing at the top of the movement. Trying to carve out the lower pec shelf? Incorporate dips or decline work near the end of your session. 3. Use Multiple Angles A flat bench isn't enough. Rotate incline, decline, and slight incline variations to challenge the muscle fibers from different angles. 4. Control the Eccentric Most lifters rush the lowering phase. Slow it down (2–3 seconds) to increase muscle tension and reduce momentum. 5. Limit Shoulder Domination If you feel your shoulders doing all the work, adjust your elbow angle. Tuck slightly and flare at a 45-degree angle to keep the chest engaged and joints safe. Final Word Chest training stands on the principle of how effectively you're loading the muscle. Prioritize proven compound lifts, such as the bench press, incline dumbbell presses, and cable flyes. Rotate in isolation work for mind-muscle connection, and skip the fluff that doesn't deliver. Train every region of your chest, program with intent, and you'll build a chest that's as strong as it Best and Worst Chest Exercises, According to a Trainer first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
24-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Save up to $500 on Force USA All-In-One Trainers from Johnson Fitness & Wellness
Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer Get in the best shape of your life with the G20 Pro All-On-One Trainer. Get $500 off at Johnson Fitness & Wellness Not enjoying that daily gymtimidation at your local fitness center? Nobody else does either. The best way to counteract that is by curating a home gym. Sure, that can get expensive; however, we here are USA TODAY Shopping are all about providing solutions, and we found you one that'll save you hundreds. For a limited time, you can get one of Johnson Fitness & Wellness' all-in-one trainers at a discounted price. You can save up to $500 off either the Force USA G20 Pro or the Force USA G15 Pro. With either of the trainers, you'll get everything you need from a dual column, pull-up station, two adjustable pulleys and much more. Here's how to take your fitness and home gym to the next level: Shop Force USA All-In-One Trainers Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer Combining up to 14 strength training systems into a single power rack footprint, the Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer has it all. Here's some of the highlights: Force USA G15 Pro All-In-One Trainer (Stack + Free Weight) Aside from the combination of up to 14 strength training systems into a single power rack footprint, the Force USA G15 Pro All-In-One Trainer features stack plus plate loaded weights. Here's some of the other highlights: Force USA G15 Pro All-In-One Trainer (Stack + Free Weight) Enjoy up to 12-in-1 Strength Training Systems with the G15 Pro. Get $500 off at Johnson Fitness & Wellness What is Johnson Fitness & Wellness? With the idea in mind to create the best home gym possible for consumers, Johnson Fitness & Wellness specializes in helping people take any space in their home, big or small, and transform it into a workout space that helps them maximize their exercise, recovery and relaxation needs. Some of the brands Johnson Fitness & Wellness' premium brands includes Matrix, BowFlex, Vision and Matrix. They also have over 100 retail locations where you can browse and test equipment before purchasing.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Underrated Move Helps Undo the Damage of Sitting at a Desk All Day, Trainer Says
This Underrated Move Helps Undo the Damage of Sitting at a Desk All Day, Trainer Says originally appeared on Men's Fitness. If your body could talk to you, it would probably beg you to stretch—especially if you sit all day for work. Trainer Dan Go says there's one stretch that should be mandatory for anyone who sits all day: the glute bridge hold. "Your glutes should be one of the strongest muscles in your body," Go says. "But due to desk jobs and long periods of sitting ,they get weaker. This puts more pressure on the lower back to support the body, causing low back pain." Reports have stated that roughly 86 percent of Americans work desk jobs, which means the majority of us are spending most of the day seated, likely weakening our glutes in the process. "When you sit for hours on end you put pressure on your glute muscles. This keeps them in a lengthened position and tightens the hip flexors making the glutes less likely to fire properly," he you want to try the stretch yourself, a set of 12 to 15 reps before or after sitting down can be enough to wake up your glutes so they stay activated. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, then squeeze your glutes and lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Hold that position for 20 to 60 seconds before lowering back down. Another helpful cue that Go adds: Focus on your butt muscles squeezing at the top of the movement. "Remember that humans were not meant to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. This exercise will help reverse the effects. You might even feel some relief in your low back as a result of doing it," he Underrated Move Helps Undo the Damage of Sitting at a Desk All Day, Trainer Says first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
The South African
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
South Africa-born Reg Bamford wins 13th British GC Open title
Cape Town-born Reg Bamford was crowned British GC Open Championship for an astounding 13th time on Sunday. Bamford beat England's Jamie Burch in the championship final at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club in Devon. Bamford, now 57, confirmed on his LinkedIn profile page that there 'was still life in this old dog'. 'I won my 13th British Open GC croquet title this weekend! 'After a five year drought, some extra time spent on my new Swing Trainer paid dividends. 'Eight of the players in the last 16 were under 30 years old, so the competition is getting fierce. 'There's still life in this old dog – my 50th year of playing this great game!' Bamford concluded. The Swing Trainer that Reg Bamford referenced is still in its development stage and isn't yet available to the public – but is coming soon. It's the first of three croquet products – the others being a high-spec mallet and an aiming target device – that he hopes to make available to the general public before the end of the year. The purpose of the Swing Trainer is to groove one's swing through repeated use – the key to continued success in any sport. Bamford's brief to his design/manufacturing team was to create a Swing Trainer that achieved four requirements: Weighed no more than 5-7kg Could be assembled in under 5 minutes Could be transported easily (including on an international flight) Was so beautiful you wanted to lick it! Bamford was thrilled to confirm that they're close to achieving all four! The Swing Trainer will go into production once the new modifications have been tested (an updated prototype is coming in the next couple of weeks) and when they've ironed out their supply chain. Bamford expects that it will then be available for sale – to individuals and clubs – by the end of 2025, making for the perfect Christmas present. Those interested are urged to view the links below: An explanation and description: Click HERE Hitting 8 balls in the Swing Trainer: Click HERE Hitting 16 balls after using the Swing Trainer: Click HERE Reg Bamford's croquet Swing Trainer Bamford has successfully juggled elite-level sporting success with high-level entrepreneurship for the last three decades. His name is synonymous with world croquet, having first competed at the highest level in the mid-1980s. Bamford remains the only player to have won both versions of the World Championships (Golf Croquet and Association Croquet) and held both titles simultaneously in 2013. Bamford has won the Association Croquet World Croquet Championship five times (2001, 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2020), and the WCF World Golf Croquet Championship twice (2013 and 2017). He has won the British AC Open Championship 12 times – and the British GC Open Championship 13 times now – the premier events in the UK of each code. He was ranked 29th in the 100 Best Sportspeople in the World for the year 2020 by Sports Pedia. Earlier this year Bamford captained the South African national team to a creditable sixth-place finish at the World Team Croquet Championships Tier 1 in Tasmania in Australia in February. The main aim for the team was to avoid a relegation battle for eighth place – and that they managed to achieve in fine style. As a result, 'AmaCrockoCrocko' will remain in the Tier 1 top division for at least another four years. Off the sporting field, Bamford is a qualified Chartered Accountant having completed his articles at Deloitte South Africa in 1992. Now based in London, Bamford went on to establish Sable International, a multi-service firm helping expatriates with financial, immigration, and property services across three continents. The company currently employs over 200 staff globally. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
