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Targeting Different Muscle Groups With Barbell Training

February 17, 2024 4 min read

Targeting Different Muscle Groups With Barbell Training

Barbell training is one of the most effective ways to target different muscle groups. With the wide range of exercises you can do with a barbell, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to build strength and develop muscular size. Barbell exercises are great because they require the use of multiple muscles at once, which makes them more efficient than isolation exercises that only target one muscle group. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best barbell exercises for targeting different muscle groups.

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Chest Exercises

The chest is one of the primary muscle groups targeted by barbell exercises. One of the most popular exercises for targeting the chest is the bench press. This exercise is done by lying flat on a bench and pressing a loaded barbell away from your chest. It’s important to keep your lower back pressed against the bench and your elbows tucked in close to your body to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the chest is the incline bench press. This exercise is similar to the standard bench press but with the bench set at an incline. This variation puts more emphasis on the upper chest muscles.

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Back Exercises

The back is another major muscle group that can be targeted with barbell exercises. The most popular exercise for targeting the back is the bent-over row. This exercise is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and bending at the waist until your back is parallel to the floor. You then grab the barbell with an overhand grip and pull it up towards your chest while keeping your elbows close to your body. Make sure to keep your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the back is the deadlift. This exercise is done by standing with your feet hip-width apart and grabbing the barbell with an overhand grip. You then bend at the hips and knees, lower the barbell to the ground, and stand back up to complete the rep.

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Shoulders Exercises

The shoulders are another muscle group that can be effectively targeted with barbell exercises. One of the most popular exercises for targeting the shoulders is the overhead press. This exercise is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the barbell at shoulder level. You then press the barbell upwards until your arms are fully extended. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the shoulders is the upright row. This exercise is done by standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding the barbell with an overhand grip. You then pull the barbell up towards your chin while keeping your elbows close to your body. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form.

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Biceps Exercises

The biceps are a smaller muscle group that can be effectively targeted with barbell exercises. One of the most popular exercises for targeting the biceps is the barbell curl. This exercise is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the barbell with an underhand grip. You then curl the barbell up towards your chest while keeping your elbows close to your body. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the biceps is the hammer curl. This exercise is done by standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding the barbell with a neutral grip. You then curl the barbell up towards your shoulders while keeping your elbows close to your body.

Triceps Exercises

The triceps are a smaller muscle group that can be targeted with barbell exercises. One of the most popular exercises for targeting the triceps is the close-grip bench press. This exercise is done by lying flat on a bench and gripping the barbell with a close grip. You then press the barbell away from your chest while keeping your elbows close to your body. Make sure to keep your lower back pressed against the bench and your core tight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the triceps is the overhead triceps extension. This exercise is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and gripping the barbell with an overhand grip. You then press the barbell overhead and lower it behind your head until your elbows are bent. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form.

Legs Exercises

The legs are a large muscle group that can be effectively targeted with barbell exercises. One of the most popular exercises for targeting the legs is the squat. This exercise is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the barbell across your upper back. You then lower your body down as if you were sitting in a chair, keeping your back straight and your knees out. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form. Another great exercise for targeting the legs is the Romanian deadlift. This exercise is done by standing with your feet hip-width apart and gripping the barbell with an overhand grip. You then lower the barbell down towards your shins while keeping your back straight and your core tight. Make sure to keep your core tight and your back straight throughout the exercise to ensure proper form.

Barbell exercises are a great way to target different muscle groups. With the wide range of exercises you can do with a barbell, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to build strength and develop muscular size. Whether you’re looking to target your chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, or legs, there’s a barbell exercise that’s right for you. Just make sure to use proper form and technique when performing these exercises to ensure maximum effectiveness.