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Top 5 Essential Exercises

So after seeing the post on Whole9 about the top five foundational movements for health, I decided to ask some of the staff at my gym what their top 5 would be. It is interesting to see the similarities, but also the differences between the lists.

These variations in what people consider the top 5 come occur for numerous reasons. To name a couple: personal biases (ahem…Candy with pull ups because she really doesn’t like them) and fitness goals.

Trainers also come from different fitness backgrounds. For example, I want to be able to lift a ton of weight and do any physical activity asked of me. So in my opinion, there is no need to do planks since almost every other move works your core. I want to only do moves that will increase my strength and my ability to take on any activity!

Nick on the other hand doesn’t care how much weight he can lift. He would rather look good and be a world champion in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Can’t really blame him! He is an awesome fighter! Nick has a background in self-defense and is very focused on injury prevention so he focuses on strengthening the core, which is why he has planks in his top 5.

The thing that is similar between all of the lists, is that all the moves selected really work the entire body. They may have a “focus,” but they do work almost every other muscle group. Even planks work more than just your core (abs and low back). They also work your shoulders and quads to just name a few other muscles!

Take a look over our lists and the ones on Whole9! What would you add to yours?

My Top 5:

Deadlift – My favorite exercise! Great way to develop overall strength!
Push up – Great upper body and core move! Plus it is super functional. Everyone should be able to press themselves up from the ground!
Pull up – One of the hardest exercises in my opinion, which also makes it one of the best. Increase your upper body strength and strengthen your core! Plus, if you ever want to go rock climbing or even just fall over a cliff, you can pull yourself up! 😉
Squats – Ok I’m cheating a bit here because I think that back squat, front squat and overhead squat are all really good. If I had to pick just one though, I would pick front squat. It honestly is the best to develop upper back strength, core strength and leg strength. Plus with deadlift on the list, it isn’t bad to have a squat that is more quad focused.
Sprints – A super intense, efficient way to get in cardio! It also helps you develop your type II muscle fibers and a strong cardiovascular system. The only cardio I love to do.

And if I were to make mine a Top 10, I would also add: Burpees, Cleans to Press, Back Rows, Dips and pistol squats (or 1 leg squats). Those are all awesome moves that really work the whole body!

Brian’s Top 5

Push up
Pull up
Clean to Jerk
Lunge – A great way to work the lower body but not let one leg dominate and become stronger.
Sprints

Nick’s Top 5

Planks – A great exercise especially if you are in a sport that requires great core strength. It is also an essential move for all beginner exercisers!!
Push ups
Squats
Pull ups
Clean to Press

Candy’s Top 5

Push ups
Deadlift
Clean to Press – A great power move that is similar to the deadlift but does more to strengthen your type II muscle fibers. The press is also a great upper body move that really strengthens the core!
Sprints
Front squats

Posted in Benefits of doing "man" exercises, Workout

6 Comments

Tags: best exercises, Pull Ups, top 10 exercises, upper body strength, Whole9

Pull ups NOT REQUIRED for female Marines!?!

Mar 1

Posted by Man Bicep

Ok I do understand that pull ups are hard…I mean they really really SUCK.

I also understand that most women hate them and really struggle with them.

BUT for MARINE FEMALES to not be required to be able to do at least one!?! That is ridiculous.

An article called “Pull-ups for women? Not going to happen” states that, “A plan that would toughen the Physical Fitness Test for women by adding pull-ups has been put off indefinitely.”

My question is…why? Why aren’t women being required to perform an exercise which is a GREAT demonstration of upper body strength?

Because we can’t on average do as many as men? Because they are super hard?

Why are we simply not using pull ups as a test instead of TRAINING women to be able to do them!?!

Seriously, this is ridiculous! Pull ups are something I firmly believe that everyone…I repeat…EVERYONE should be able to do AT LEAST one of.

What are your thoughts? Do you think that the fitness standards for Marines should be that different that women aren’t even required to do pull ups AT ALL?

P.S. The picture is also incorrect. What she is actually doing is a chin up…..