With so much exercise equipment on offer today, many people are questioning the use of free weight barbells, but the truth is that these historic exercising tools are still one of the most effective things to use for weight training. Not only do you have access to a much broader range of exercises and movements, but your stabiliser muscles will also be worked, assisting with overall balance. When getting started with weight training, it is important that you steadily increase the weight and difficulty of exercises. Trying to use too much weight can result in injury and is extremely dangerous when exercising alone. The benefits of weight training are substantial though and it is ideal to combine cardio and weights effectively.
When it comes to choosing which exercises you should start with when you get your new barbells, the answer is simple: stick to the basics. Not only are these exercises effective, but they are also easy to master and execute. Here is a short list of some of the exercises you could include in your
weight training routine:
• Bench press: This is widely regarded as the best exercises to do with barbells. To execute it properly, make sure that you are spread across the bench evenly with the bar situated at the top of your chest. Grip the bar with your hands situated just over a shoulder length apart. Lift the bar up in a fluid motion until your arms are fully extended, then bring it down to your chest slowly but steadily.
• Squats: These will assist in conditioning a number of muscles at once. Squatting with the weights will build leg muscles, strengthen your back and shoulders as well as target core muscles which help with balance. Ensure that you are well balanced at the start, and then lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
• Curls: For muscular, cut arms, curls are your best choice. Keeping your elbows at your side, raise the bar up to your chest and back down in a smooth steady motion. If you find that your body follows with each repetition, then it is likely that you are using too much weight.
Stock up on quality barbells now at McSport.