Some muscles are like fashion trends. Their owners flaunt them, dress to feature them, and post about them. Different muscles can lurch in and out of fashion depending on the whims of the public and the popularity of the celebrities who display them. A recent addition to this A-list of fashionable body parts — particularly […]
When your neighbor’s kid tells you to make a muscle, you’ll almost certainly flex your biceps — that flashy mountain of muscle on the inside of your upper arm. But if it’s impressive arm size you’re looking for, it’s the muscles on the back of your arm — the less-appreciated triceps — that should get most […]
You just work your body differently with the two kinds of training. With cycling, your muscles work continuously, but you’re not stressing them with major load. This can help your leg muscles build muscular endurance, NASM-certified trainer and Peloton instructor Jess Sims tells SELF. So hopping on the bike can help build your leg muscles’ […]
Weight benches are good for more than just chest presses and seated biceps curls. If you want to add some spice to your go-to abs circuit or (literally) elevate your at-home core routine, try a bench ab workout. Brett Durney, a certified personal trainer and co-founder of Fitness Lab, explains that utilizing a bench during a core workout […]
Wall ball exercises are a staple in strength training workouts for their benefits to strength, power, and coordination. And because these exercises generally work all four limbs, you’re sure to get a full-body workout. If you’re up for a rounded test of your fitness, then we dare you to take the wall ball challenge. Read on […]
We’re still a few weeks away from Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon’s latest two-day shopping spectacular—but you wouldn’t know it from the major Prime Day shoe deals that are already rolling in. We’ve found kicks from top-rated, Sneaker Award–winning brands like Adidas, Asics, and New Balance for up to 44% off; fluffy slippers for 33% […]
Even if you’re just starting out, fitness leaves clues: physical vigor, greater ease of movement, a flat stomach, etc. If you stick with an exercise routine long enough, however, a few telltale signs of elite fitness start to appear. One of those is increased vascularity — visible veins on the arms, calves, shoulders, and elsewhere. So if you’re trying […]
What do a mixed martial artist, a sprinter, and an Olympic weightlifter have in common? Besides a drawer full of spandex, they all rely heavily on type 2 muscle fibers, also known as fast-twitch muscle fibers. Type 2 muscle fibers give a roundhouse kick more oomph and a barbell snatch its signature snap. But even […]
In SELF’s new Hot Stuff series, we’re asking celebrities, athletes, and other notable people to share the habits, rituals, and products that boost their confidence and help them feel sexy. If you’re looking for proof that confidence is contagious, might we suggest a Peloton ride with Cody Rigsby? The beloved fitness instructor turned celebrity embodies […]
Thinking about attending — or entering — a bodybuilding show? There’s a lot more to it than random sweating, straining, and standing around looking crazy-fit. You need to know your bodybuilding poses. To the average viewer, everyone on a bodybuilding stage looks like a living statue — lean, muscular, poised — and separating winners from losers in […]