Network Magazine autumn 2015 | Page 10

TRAINING FOCUS: BARBELL EXERCISES Chris Dounis, trainer and assessor for fitnessU, highlights three barbell exercises suitable for use with more advanced training clients. B arbells can be used with clients of varying skill and strength levels, but the exercises highlighted here are suited to more experienced individuals. It is not recommended that you prescribe these exercises to a client with a history of back pain or injury unless you have been training them for long enough to improve their core strength to a level that allows them to perform the moves safely. Barbell rollout Barbell clean and press Target: core, shoulders Equip: barbell Level: advanced Target: full body combo Equip: barbell Level: advanced Start: adopt a plank position with feet on the floor, hands grasping a barbell in overgrip directly below the shoulders and elbows extended. Action: keeping the core tight, the hips as straight as possible, and the elbows extended, roll the barbell forward and lower the body towards the floor by raising the arms above shoulder height. End: maintaining tension through the core, roll the bar back in to the start position, the body away from the floor, and the hands underneath the shoulders, by lowering the arms. Start: stand upright with feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell in front of the body at the hips. Action: lower the barbell to the shins by pushing the hips back and bending the knees. Rapidly stand upright by extending the hips and knees. Using the upward momentum, shrug the shoulders and pull the barbell upward by bending the elbows out to the sides, keeping the hands close to the body. Pull the body under the barbell by bending the knees and pushing the hips back slightly, rotating the elbows forward and catching the barbell above the shoulders/below the neck with the arms bent. Immediately, stand upright by extending the knees and hips, and press the barbell explosively overhead by extending the elbows. End: lower the barbell back down in front of the body in preparation for the next clean and press. Barbell overhead squat Target: full body Equip: barbell Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced Start: stand upright with feet parallel, with arms extended overhead and holding a barbell with palms facing down. Action: keeping the torso upright and the arms raised overhead, squat down, lowering the body towards the ground by pushing the hips back, and bending the knees 90 degrees. End: push through the heels, extend the knees and hips and return to the upright position. A thousand exercises in your pocket! Watch 20-sec video clips of these exercises – and hundreds more – on your phone, tablet or computer at the new-look, mobile-responsive networkinteractive.com.au As a Network Member you have access to Network Interactive’s vast exercise video library, client meal planner, training and running programs, fitness assessments, injury prevention tools and more! For assistance accessing Network Interactive, just email [email protected] 10 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2015