Category: How-to: Strength
How-to: Upper Body Warm-Up
This movement prep will help you be more successful in your upper body workouts, by improving your mobility and stability while warming you up! The video itself takes a little longer as I walk you through the do's, don'ts and alternatives, but the whole …
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Four Hacks to Make Push-Ups Easier
Push-Ups. Love them or hate them, they’re here to stay. They are an excellent, equipment free way to train multiple muscle groups simultaneously, which is why trainers like me like them so much! Plus, with all the bracing going on in roller derby today,…
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How-to: Body Tap Planks
Exercise: Body Tap PlanksDo: Keep good plank form.Don't: Sway side to side as you swap hands; or, let your butt rise upEasier: Go slow and steady.Harder: Elevate feet on a bench or chair.See also: Planks[rda_video video_url="https://player.vimeo.com/…
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How-to: Upper Body Warm-Up
Exercise: Upper Body Warm-Up and Mobility SequenceDo: Follow this sequence before doing heavy lifting or extensive upper body training.Don't: Let your ribs poke forward during pass-throughs, pull-aparts, or cactus arms.Here's the sequence:10 Pass-through…
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How-to: Push-Up Progression
Exercise: Push-Up ProgressionA simple trick for progressing to a full push-up if you can't do any (or very many) yet!Practice at your lowest comfortable hand position. Work up to where you're comfortable with 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps at one position, bef…
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How-to: Hollow Body Holds + Rocks
Exercise: Hollow Body Holds, Hollow Body RocksDo: Keep your low back pinned to the floor, engage your lats, glutes, and basically everything!Don't: Crunch your chin to your chest.Easier: Knees bent to a tabletop positionHarder: Arms overhead (biceps t…
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How-to: Bench Dips
Exercise: Bench Dips (aka Chair Dips)Do: Keep shoulders down, elbows pointed backDon't: let your shoulders hunch towards your ears.Easier: Place feet closer to your benchHarder: Elevate feetSee also: Triceps Push-Ups, Triceps Roll-outs[rda_video video…
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How-to: Squat with Weight
Exercise: Squats with WeightDo: Keep weight in heels, maintain a slight curve in the lower back at the bottom position, keep chest and head lifted.Don't: squat lower if you can't maintain good form.Easier: Use lighter weight; use a Smith Machine at th…
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How-to: Calf Raises with weight
Exercise: Weighted Calf RaisesDo: Rise as high as possible; lower with controlDon't: drop down quickly without resistance.Easier: Use lighter weight; use a calf raise machine at the gym.Harder: Lift heavier weight.See also: Calf Raises (single leg)[rd…
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How-to: Thrusters
Exercise: ThrustersDo: Drive up powerfully with legs and hipsDon't: separate the movement into a slow squat and a slow overhead press.Easier: Use lighter weight.Harder: Lift heavier weight (in the video I have 15 lb dumbbells in each hand)See also: …
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How-to: Split Squat with Raised Leg
Exercise: Split Squat with Raised Back LegDo: Place about 70% of your weight on the front foot. Drive through the heel of the front foot to rise up.Don't: allow front knee to cave inward.Easier: Do standard split squats insteadHarder: lift heavier weig…
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How-to: Lunges with Weight
Exercise: Weighted LungeDo: Warm up with the bar only. Keep knees over toes. Drive through the heel of the front foot to rise up. Keep chest and head lifted.Don't: allow front knee to cave inward, or take too large a step forward.Easier: Do split squ…
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How-to: Deadlift and Romanian Deadlift
Exercise: Deadlift; Romanian DeadliftDo: Warm up with the bar only. Set up with weight in heels, bar touching shins, chest lifted, shoulders directly above the bar. Pull first, straighten knees second. To lower, hinge at hips, then bend knees when bar…
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How-to: Lunge Stretch
Exercise: Lunge StretchDo: Focus on tilting your pelvis under; keep your knees aligned with your anklesDon't: let your front knee drive forward past your toes, or cave inward towards your centre line.Easier: Back knee resting on the floor. Back toes …
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How-to: Lunge (Basic)
Exercise: Basic Lunge & VariationsDo: Try lunging in different orientations; keep your knees aligned with your ankles; keep your head and chest lifted; drive through the front heel as you push back to standing.Don't: let your front knee drive forw…
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How-to: Walking Lunge
Exercise: Walking LungeDo: Keep head and shoulders lifted, drive up through your front heelDon't: let your front knee drive forward past your toes, or cave inward towards your centre line.Easier: hold on to a wall for support, don't bend as deeplyHar…
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How-to: Wall Sit
Exercise: Wall Sits, and one-leg wall sits Do: Maintain a 90 degree bend in the knee When testing your single leg wall sit, get into a 2-leg sitting position, and start your timer when you lift one foot off the ground. Don't: rest your upper body/ar…
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How-to: Single Leg Squat
Exercise: Single Leg Squat Do: Engage your core, shoot for a 90 degree bend, try different leg positions Don't: let your shoulders and head do all the lowering! Easier: hold on to a wall or counter for support Harder: get lower! [rda_video video…
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How-to: Single Leg Dead Lift
Exercise: Single Leg Dead Lift, aka SLDL or 1LDLDo: Engage your core, hinge your torso and leg as a unit, send your hips backward and weight over your heelDon't: use the same forward arm as your supporting leg! Easier: n/aHarder: Add a dumbbell or ke…
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How-to: Isometric Stride Push
Exercise: Isometric Stride Push Do: Get low, try to push the wall right over! [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/113223593"]…
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How-to: Duck Walk
Exercise: Duck Walks Do: Take long, low strides Don't: Pop up between steps Easier: Shorter sustained periods of walking Harder: Keep going! quack! [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/113222353"]…
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How-to: Cross-Under Swipes
Exercise: Cross-Under Swipes Do: Bend your supporting leg; keep a flexed foot with instep facing the sky on your follow-through; adjust your pressure, surface, and footwear to make the exercise doable but challenging Don't: forget to "reach" with y…
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How-to: Cross-Under Squats
Exercise: Cross-Under Squats Do: Keep head and chest lifted, get hips down low, reach far across with the back leg Don't: take miniature steps, or only bend forward at the waist instead of bending from the knees [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.…
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How-to: Chair Step-Up
Exercise: Chair Step-Ups & Step-Up / Cross-Under Combos* Do: Drive through your heel, all the way up Don't: Get only halfway up Easier: Standard step up Harder: Double-time, Up and Over variations *check out the Cross-Under squat video for m…
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How-to: Calf Raises
Exercise: Calf Raises Do: Rise and lower with control; distribute weight evenly across the balls of your feet. Don't: let your heels splay out to the sides. Easier: hold on to a wall for stabiity Harder: one-leg calf raises; add weight [rda_video…
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How-to: Forward Lean-Over Lunge
Exercise: Forward Lean-Over Lunge Do: Take a big enough step forward that your back leg is fairly straight; push through your heel to "spring" back to the starting position Don't: let your front knee "cave in" towards your centreline - instead keep you…
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How-to: Seated Hip Tilts and Swivels
Exercise: Seated Hip Tilts and Swivels Do: Go slowly, with control, using small movements Don't: rush [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68511306"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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How-to: Russian Twists
Exercise: Russian Twists (with a ball) Do: Keep a flat back, keep hips relatively still so that knee caps remain aligned Easier: Sit up at a more upright angle Harder: add weight [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68507469"] …
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How-to: Reverse Leg-Lifts on a Ball
Exercise: Reverse Leg-Lifts on a Ball Do: engage your back and glutes throughout; keep your neck in a neutral position Don't: overextend your legs, arch your back Easier: One leg at a time [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68507468"]…
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How-to: Crossover Twists with a Ball
Exercise: Crossover Twists with a Ball Do: Keep your shoulders in contact with the mat Don't: rush, or twist further than you can with control [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/65524829"] Click here to see all the How-To Vid…
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How-to: Pass The Ball Situps
Exercise: Pass The Ball Situps Do: Keep head lifted, keep low back in contact with the mat at all times Don't: Rush Easier: only lower your legs to 45 degrees Harder: lower your legs to within inches of the floor [rda_video video_url="http://player.…
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How-to: Clamshells
Exercise: Clamshells Do: Line up your shoulders, hips, and heels on a straight line Don't: Race through the reps [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/65507212"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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How-to: Chair Squats
Exercise: Chair Squats Do: Lower with control, keep your supporting knee pointed straight forward over your toe Don't: Drop heavily into the chair; allow your supporting knee to cave inward Easier: use a higher platform (bed, arm of a couch), or do wit…
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How-to: Burpees & Variations
Exercise: Burpees Variations:Half Burpees, Squat Thrusts Do: Hit all the 'stops' with good form: Squat, plank, push-up, squat-jump Don't: Rush through it and sacrifice form [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99249736"] Click here…
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How-to: Flying Plank Push-Up
Exercise: Flying Plank Push-Up Do: Keep your hips neutral - flat line from your head down to your heels; do a full push-up; try to keep your hips and shoulders square to the floor when doing the "flying" Don't: Allow your hips to rise up or sag Easier:…
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How-to: Fire Hydrants
Exercise: Fire Hydrants Do: Keep hips and torso as still as possible Don't: arch your back, lift your hip, or look down [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99249735"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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How-to: Lunge Jumps
Exercise: Lunge Jumps Do: Jump high! Keep your chest and head lifted Don't: Allow your front knee to cave in towards centre, or push forward past your toes Easier: Go slower, step between positions instead of jumping Harder: n/a [rda_video video_url=…
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How-to: Good Mornings
Exercise: Good Mornings Do: Keep head lifted, focus on sending hips backwards Don't: Let your weight move forward into your toes Easier: n/a Harder: add weight [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/98613055"] Click here to see all t…
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How-to: Prisoner Get-Ups
Exercise: Prisoner Get-Ups Do: take your time, and hit all the "Stops": 1) lie down 2) sit up 3) tuck your knee under 4) rise to kneeling 5) stand up Easier: Use your hands to support Harder: Add weight [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/vi…
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How-to: Power Push-Ups
Exercise: Power Push-Ups Do: practice good plank and push-up form Don't: allow your hips to rise or sag Easier: Do push-ups from your knees Harder: n/a [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99309990"] Click here to see all the How-T…
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How-to: I, Y, & Tees
Exercise: I, Y, & Tees Do: Engage your core and glutes throughout, keep the motions small Don't: overdo the pulsing motion Easier: take rests Harder: add small hand weights [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99249729"] Click…
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How-to: Plank – Elbows to Hands
Exercise: Plank - Elbows to Hands Do: Follow all the good form advice for a standard plank; remember to alternate which arm leads [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/98700221"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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How-to: Plank
Exercise: Plank Do: Keep hips in line with heels and the crown of your head, keep arms "pulled out" of their shoulder sockets Don't: drop or raise hips, sink into your shoulders Easier: plank from the elbows on all fours Harder: from the wrists; raisi…
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How-to: Lunge Twist
Exercise: Lunge Twist Do: Practice good lunge form - front knee tracking straight over your supporting ankle Don't: Allow front knee to "cave in" towards centre or come past your toes Easier: Keep arms closer to your body Harder: Add weight [rda_vide…
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How-to: Push-Ups
Exercise: Push-Ups Do: Place hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart, point elbows about 45 degrees away from your torso, get to a 90 degree bend in your elbows at the bottom position Don't: allow your hips to rise up or sag Easier: do push-ups…
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How-to: V-Sit
Exercise: V-Sit Do: keep head and chest lifted, try to keep a flat low back Don't: round your back Easier: support yourself with hands behind your knees Harder: longer balances [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/98610712"] Click …
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How-to: Side Lunge
Exercise: Side Lunge Do: Keep weight in your heel, hips pointing back; spring back to the starting position Don't: Look down Easier: n/a Harder: Add weight [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99794093"] Click here to see all the H…
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How-to: Side Lifts
Exercise: Side Lifts Do: Align your head, butt, and heels in one straight line Don't: Look down at your feet [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/98613050"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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How-to: Roll-Ups
Exercise: Roll-Ups Do: Rise and lower with control; engage your abs; focus on tucking your pelvis under before starting the roll-down Don't: use momentum; forget to breathe! Easier: use hands to support you Harder: n/a [rda_video video_url="//player.…
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How-to: Sumo Squats & Variations
Exercise: Sumo Squats Variations: Sumo-Squat-Tiptoe, Sumo Squat Pulses Do: Rotate your legs from the hip, use adductors (inner thighs) and glutes (booty) to hold this rotation throughout Don't: Turn your feet out further than your hip flexibility allow…
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How-to: Push-Ups on a Ball
Exercise: Push-Ups on a Ball Variations: FOB Push-ups; FOB single-leg push-ups; HOB push-ups from the knees; HOB push-ups (lowering motion only); HOB full push-ups Do: Practice good standard push-up form Don't: Allow your shoulders to rise towards your…
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How-to: Praying Mantis Plank
Exercise: Praying Mantis Plank Do: Return to good plank form between each rep Easier: Touch outstretched foot to floor near hand, instead of touching hand & foot in the air; or leave both hands in place and just reach your foot out. Click here …
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How-to: Supermans
Exercise: Supermans (to be grammatically correct, should this be Supermen? Or better yet, maybe Superwomen?!) Do: engage your core and glutes before lifting up to hover Don't: raise hands and feet too high, creating an arch in your back [rda_video vide…
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How-to: Sumo Push-Ups
Exercise: Sumo Push-Ups Do: Take a wide stance with feet and hands; practice good push-up form Don't: allow hips to sag or to rise up into a pike position Easier: do the push-ups from your knees Harder: n/a [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/v…
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How-to: Split Squat
Exercise: Split Squat Do: Keep chest lifted, stance wide enough that both knees bend to 90 degrees but no further Don't: Allow your front knee to cave inward Easier: n/a Harder: add weight [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99557149"] &…
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How-to: Planks with Knee Tucks (FOB)
Exercise: Planks with Feet on the Ball & Knee Tucks Do: Initiate the movement by lifting your hips up Easier: straight knee tucks Harder: Side to side knee tucks [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/74056293"] Click here to see …
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How-to: Triceps Push-Up
Exercise: Triceps Push-Up Do: Keep elbows tucked to your sides, practice good push-up form Don't: allow hips to sag or rise up into a piked position Easier: From the knees Harder: Elevate your feet on a step, bench or chair [rda_video video_url="//p…
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How-to: Hamstring Curls on a ball
Exercise: Hamstring Curls on a ball (FOB) Variations: 2 legs, 2-to-1, single leg Do: Keep hips lifted Easier: 2 legs; take more rests Harder: single leg variations [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/65522689"] Click here to…
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How-to: Planks with Single Knee Tucks on a Ball
Exercise: Planks with Single Knee Tucks on a Ball (HOB) Do: Try to keep as still as possible in your upper body and trunk Modification: do this from the ground, or with your elbows on the ball if you have wrist pain [rda_video video_url="http://playe…
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How-to: Walking Push-up
Exercise: Walking Push-up Do: Practice good push-up form Don't: Allow hips to pike up or sag Easier: Do pushups from your knees; step hand and foot one at a time instead of simultaneously Harder: n/a [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/99…
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How-to: Planks on a Ball
Exercise: Planks on a Ball Variations: Feet on the Ball (FOB) and Hands on the ball (HOB) Do: Keep a straight line from the crown of your head to your heels Don't: allow hips to sag or rise, or sink into your shoulder sockets Don't: attempt the HOB pl…
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How-to: Lateral Roll on a Ball
Exercise: Lateral Roll on a Ball Variations: Iron Cross, Charlie's Angels Do: Keep hips lifted Don't: Easier: Iron cross variation Harder: Charlie's Angels variation [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68507467"] Click here …
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How-to: High Bridge with Marching on a Ball
Exercise: High Bridge with Marching on a Ball Do: Keep hips lifted, keep torso as still as possible Don't: let hips sag Easier: no arms Harder: with arms [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/65524827"] Click here to see all t…
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How-to: Roll-downs on a Ball
Exercise: Roll-downs on a Ball Do: Roll slowly and with control, initiate the roll-down by tucking your pelvis under Don't: Start sitting in the centre of the ball, or go too quickly Harder: Raise one arm at a time as shown [rda_video video_url="http:…
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How-to: Tabletop Rollout on a Ball
Exercise: Tabletop Rollout on a Ball Do: Go slowly, with control; bend at the hips; keep your neck neutral Don't: pitch forward at the hips as though in a plank [rda_video video_url="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68514907"] Click here to see…
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How-to: Tricep Rollout on a Ball
Exercise: Tricep Rollout on a Ball Do: Maintain a plank position and neutral neck position Don't: Pop back up to the starting position (go slowly instead) [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/68514908"] Click here to see all the H…
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How-to: Side Plank
Exercise: Side Plank Variations: from elbow or from hand; arm lifted; leg lifted; both arm and leg lifted Do: Align your head, hips, and heels in a straight line Don't: Look at your feet Easier: hand on hip, from the elbow Harder: Variations are lis…
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How-to: Squats & Squat Jump Variations
Exercise: Squats Variations: Squat Jumps, Squat Jump + Tuck Jump Do: Send hips back first, keep chest and head lifted. For jumping variations, do land with soft knees! Don't: allow weight forward into your toes; look down Easier: If you can't perform…
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How-to: Walkout Push-ups on a Ball
Exercise: Walkout Push-ups on a Ball Do: Maintain a plank position and neutral neck position; alternate which hand leads the march [rda_video video_url="//player.vimeo.com/video/68514909"] Click here to see all the How-To Videos... …
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