Use Muscle To Defeat Your Problem Areas!

Still dreaming that you can spot-reduce your way to a better physique?  Change your focus and go for the gains!

1. Superman

1. To begin, lie straight and face down on the floor or exercise mat. Your arms should be fully extended in front of you. This is the starting position.
2. Simultaneously raise your arms, legs, and chest off of the floor and hold this contraction for 2 seconds. Tip: Squeeze your lower back to get the best results from this exercise. Remember to exhale during this movement. Note: When holding the contracted position, you should look like superman when he is flying.
3. Slowly begin to lower your arms, legs and chest back down to the starting position while inhaling.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions prescribed in your program.

2. Plank

1. Get into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your toes and your forearms. Your arms are bent and directly below the shoulder.
2. Keep your body straight at all times, and hold this position as long as possible. To increase difficulty, an arm or leg can be raised.

3. Weighted Ball Hyper extension

1. To begin, lie down on an exercise ball with your torso pressing against the ball and parallel to the floor. The ball of your feet should be pressed against the floor to help keep you balanced. Place a weighted plate under your chin or behind your neck. This is the starting position.
2. Slowly raise your torso up by bending at the waist and lower back. Remember to exhale during this movement.
3. Hold the contraction on your lower back for a second and lower your torso back down to the starting position while inhaling.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions prescribed in your program.

4. Boat pose

Begin in a seated position with your knees bent and your feet resting lightly on the ground as you balance on your sit bones (A). With your core engaged, lengthen through your torso and recline slightly, avoiding any rounding of your back. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, then extend your legs, creating a V-shape with your torso and legs (B). Breathe comfortably throughout the move. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. 

Make it harder
After holding boat pose for 5 seconds, recline a bit more, and lower your legs, allowing your legs and torso to hover just a few inches off of the ground as you balance on your sacrum (the bone at the base of your spine). Hold this variation for 5 seconds, then rise back up and hold. 6-8 reps.

5. Triceps Push down - Rope Attachment

1. Attach a rope attachment to a high pulley and grab with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
2. Standing upright with the torso straight and a very small inclination forward, bring the upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the floor. The forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley as they hold the rope with the palms facing each other. This is your starting position.
3. Using the triceps, bring the rope down as you bring each side of the rope to the side of your thighs. At the end of the movement the arms are fully extended and perpendicular to the floor. The upper arms should always remain stationary next to your torso and only the forearms should move. Exhale as you perform this movement.
4. After holding for a second, at the contracted position, bring the rope slowly up to the starting point. Breathe in as you perform this step.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

6. Bench Dips

7. Barbell Hip Thrust

8. Dumbbell Rear  Lunge