Workouts

Train on your station.

Every Balisthenics station comes with a QR plaque that opens this page. Pick your equipment, start with the beginner moves and progress at your own pace. Warm up first, and stop if anything hurts.

Station
Equipment
Level

Pull-up bar

Stick-figure illustration: Dead Hang
Beginner

Dead Hang

Works on station 123456

  • forearms
  • grip
  • lats
  • shoulders
Sets × reps3 × 20–45 s

How to

  1. Grip the bar overhand, hands shoulder-width.
  2. Lift your feet (bend the knees if the bar is low) and hang with straight arms.
  3. Breathe slowly and keep the shoulders gently engaged, not shrugged into the ears.
  4. Step down with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't swing or kip.
  • Chalk or dry hands in humid weather; the bar can get slippery.

Progressions

  • Active hang (shoulders pulled down)
  • One-arm assisted hang
  • Fat-grip hang (Full Station)
Stick-figure illustration: Scapula Pulls
Beginner

Scapula Pulls

Works on station 123456

  • lower traps
  • lats
  • rhomboids
Sets × reps3 × 8–12

How to

  1. Start in a dead hang with straight arms.
  2. Without bending the elbows, pull the shoulder blades down and back so your body rises a few centimetres.
  3. Hold 1 s, then relax back to the hang slowly.

Tips and mistakes

  • Elbows stay locked; this is a shoulder-blade movement only.
  • Keep the movement small and controlled.

Progressions

  • Hold the top 3–5 s
  • Move on to negatives and pull-ups
Stick-figure illustration: Hanging Knee Raise
Beginner

Hanging Knee Raise

Works on station 123456

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • grip
Sets × reps3 × 8–15

How to

  1. Hang from the bar with straight arms.
  2. Brace your core and lift both knees to hip height or higher.
  3. Pause, then lower slowly without swinging.

Tips and mistakes

  • Avoid using momentum; stop the swing before each rep.
  • Tilt the pelvis up at the top to really work the abs.

Progressions

  • Hanging leg raise (straight legs)
  • Toes-to-bar
Stick-figure illustration: Toes-to-Bar
Advanced

Toes-to-Bar

Works on station 123456

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • lats
  • grip
Sets × reps3 × 5–10

How to

  1. Hang with an overhand grip, arms straight.
  2. Press the bar slightly down to engage the lats.
  3. Lift straight legs in a pike until your toes touch the bar.
  4. Lower slowly under control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't kip with the hips; keep it strict.
  • Bend the knees slightly if hamstring flexibility is limiting.

Progressions

  • Hanging leg raise → toes-to-bar
  • Slow 3 s lowering
  • L-sit hang
Stick-figure illustration: Band-Assisted Pull-up
Beginner

Band-Assisted Pull-up

Works on station 123456

  • lats
  • biceps
  • upper back
Sets × reps3 × 5–10

How to

  1. Loop a power band around the middle of the bar.
  2. Put one knee (or foot) in the band and grip the bar overhand.
  3. Pull your chest towards the bar until your chin is over it.
  4. Lower all the way to straight arms.

Tips and mistakes

  • Use a lighter band as you get stronger.
  • Control the bottom; don't let the band fling you up.

Progressions

  • Lighter band
  • Negatives
  • Full pull-up
Stick-figure illustration: Negative Pull-up
Beginner

Negative Pull-up

Works on station 123456

  • lats
  • biceps
  • upper back
Sets × reps3 × 3–6

How to

  1. Jump or step up so your chin is above the bar.
  2. Hold the top for 1 s.
  3. Lower yourself as slowly as possible (3–5 s) to straight arms.
  4. Step down and repeat.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the shoulders down, don't drop the last part.
  • Use a stable step, not a wobbly chair.

Progressions

  • Slower negatives (8 s)
  • Pull-up
Stick-figure illustration: Pull-up
Intermediate

Pull-up

Works on station 123456

  • lats
  • biceps
  • upper back
  • core
Sets × reps3–5 × 3–10

How to

  1. Grip the bar overhand, slightly wider than shoulders.
  2. From a dead hang, pull the shoulders down and drive the elbows to your ribs.
  3. Pull until your chin is over the bar.
  4. Lower to straight arms with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • No half reps: start from straight arms.
  • Don't kick or swing; keep legs together and slightly in front.

Progressions

  • Chest-to-bar pull-up
  • Archer / typewriter pull-up
  • Weighted pull-up with a dip belt
Stick-figure illustration: Chin-up
Intermediate

Chin-up

Works on station 123456

  • biceps
  • lats
  • upper back
Sets × reps3–5 × 3–10

How to

  1. Grip the bar underhand (palms facing you), shoulder-width.
  2. Pull with elbows tucked forward and down.
  3. Bring your chin above the bar.
  4. Lower slowly to straight arms.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't crane the neck to 'reach' the bar.
  • Keep ribs down; avoid arching the lower back.

Progressions

  • Slow tempo chin-ups
  • Weighted chin-ups
Stick-figure illustration: Muscle-up
Advanced

Muscle-up

Works on station 456

  • lats
  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3–5 × 1–5

How to

  1. Hang with a false or overhand grip.
  2. Pull explosively, driving the bar to your lower chest.
  3. Lean forward and turn the wrists over the bar.
  4. Press up to straight arms with the bar at your hips.
  5. Lower back down with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Build 10+ strict pull-ups and 15+ straight-bar dips first.
  • Learn the transition on the 1,70 m mid bar with feet on the ground.

Progressions

  • Low-bar transitions on the mid bar
  • Band-assisted muscle-ups
  • Strict muscle-up
  • Ring muscle-up

Dip bars

Stick-figure illustration: Support Hold
Beginner

Support Hold

Works on station 23456

  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • chest
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 15–30 s

How to

  1. Stand between the dip bars and place one hand on each.
  2. Press up to straight arms, feet off the ground.
  3. Push the shoulders down away from the ears and hold.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't let the shoulders shrug up.
  • Keep elbows locked and body still.

Progressions

  • Knee raises in support
  • Dips
  • L-sit
Stick-figure illustration: Parallel Bar Dip
Intermediate

Parallel Bar Dip

Works on station 23456

  • chest
  • triceps
  • front shoulders
Sets × reps3–4 × 5–12

How to

  1. From a support hold, lean slightly forward.
  2. Bend the elbows (pointing back) until the shoulders are level with the elbows.
  3. Press back up to straight arms.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't go deeper than your shoulders allow.
  • Keep shoulders down; avoid flaring the elbows wide.
  • On the Full Station, pick the V-dip width that suits your shoulders.

Progressions

  • Band-assisted dips
  • Walking dips
  • Weighted dips with a dip belt
  • Ring dips
Stick-figure illustration: L-sit on Dip Bars
Intermediate

L-sit on Dip Bars

Works on station 3456

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • triceps
  • quads
Sets × reps4 × 5–20 s

How to

  1. Start in a support hold on the dip bars.
  2. Lift both legs straight in front of you to horizontal.
  3. Point the toes, push the shoulders down and hold.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't let the hips sink behind the hands.
  • Bent-knee tuck first if straight legs drop.

Progressions

  • Tuck L-sit → one leg extended → full L-sit
  • Parallette L-sit
  • V-sit
Stick-figure illustration: Knee Raise in Support
Beginner

Knee Raise in Support

Works on station 23456

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • shoulders
Sets × reps3 × 8–15

How to

  1. Hold a support on the dip bars, arms straight.
  2. Brace the core and lift both knees toward the chest.
  3. Lower the legs with control, without swinging.
  4. Keep the shoulders pushed down the whole time.

Tips and mistakes

  • Do not let the hips drift behind the hands.
  • A small bend in the elbows means the support is tiring. Rest, then go again.

Progressions

  • Straight-leg raise
  • L-sit tuck
  • Toes-to-bar on the high bar

Mid & row bar

Stick-figure illustration: Straight-Bar Dip
Intermediate

Straight-Bar Dip

Works on station 456

  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
Sets × reps3 × 5–10

How to

  1. Jump to a support on top of the 1,70 m mid bar, hands in front of your hips.
  2. Lean the chest forward over the bar and bend the elbows.
  3. Lower until the bar is near your chest, then press back to straight arms.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the legs slightly in front to stay balanced.
  • The key skill for the muscle-up transition.

Progressions

  • Deeper range
  • Muscle-up transitions
Stick-figure illustration: Australian Row
Beginner

Australian Row

Works on station 23456

  • upper back
  • lats
  • biceps
  • rear shoulders
Sets × reps3 × 8–15

How to

  1. Hang under the 0,95 m row bar with straight arms, heels on the grass.
  2. Make a straight plank from heels to head.
  3. Pull your chest to the bar, elbows at about 45°.
  4. Lower with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't let the hips sag.
  • Walk the feet forward (lower body angle) to make it harder.

Progressions

  • Feet elevated on the bench
  • One-arm row
  • Pull-up
Stick-figure illustration: Feet-Elevated Row
Intermediate

Feet-Elevated Row

Works on station 456

  • upper back
  • lats
  • biceps
Sets × reps3 × 6–12

How to

  1. Set the feet on a bench or a low bar and hang under the row bar.
  2. Keep a straight line from heels to head.
  3. Pull the chest to the bar.
  4. Lower until the arms are straight.

Tips and mistakes

  • The higher the feet, the harder the row.
  • Do not shrug the shoulders to the ears.

Progressions

  • Feet higher
  • Pause at the chest
  • One-arm row
Stick-figure illustration: Archer Row
Advanced

Archer Row

Works on station 456

  • lats
  • upper back
  • biceps
Sets × reps3 × 4–8 per side

How to

  1. Hang under the row bar with a wide grip.
  2. Pull toward one hand while the other arm stays almost straight.
  3. Lower with control.
  4. Alternate sides.

Tips and mistakes

  • Start with a bend in the straight arm if a full archer is too hard.
  • Keep the hips square.

Progressions

  • Closer grip
  • One-arm row
  • Pull-up

Low / foot-anchor bar

Stick-figure illustration: Nordic Hamstring Curl
Advanced

Nordic Hamstring Curl

Works on station 56

  • hamstrings
  • glutes
  • calves
Sets × reps3 × 3–6

How to

  1. Kneel on a mat with your heels hooked under the low foot-anchor bar.
  2. Keep a straight line from knees to head and squeeze the glutes.
  3. Lower forward as slowly as you can.
  4. Catch yourself with your hands and push back to the start.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't bend at the hips; the whole body tilts as one.
  • Start with partial range, very slow, and progress gradually (sore hamstrings are normal).

Progressions

  • Band-assisted Nordics
  • Deeper range
  • Full Nordic with a 3 s pause
Stick-figure illustration: Anchored Sit-up
Beginner

Anchored Sit-up

Works on station 56

  • abs
  • hip flexors
Sets × reps3 × 10–20

How to

  1. Lie on a mat with knees bent and the tops of your feet under the low anchor bar.
  2. Cross your arms over your chest.
  3. Curl up until your torso is upright.
  4. Lower slowly back down.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't yank on the neck.
  • Exhale on the way up.

Progressions

  • Hold a kettlebell to the chest
  • Decline sit-up
  • Hanging leg raise
Stick-figure illustration: Reverse Plank
Beginner

Reverse Plank

Works on station 56

  • glutes
  • hamstrings
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 20–40 s

How to

  1. Sit with the heels under or just in front of the low bar.
  2. Put the hands behind you, fingers toward the feet.
  3. Lift the hips until the body is a straight line.
  4. Hold, then lower.

Tips and mistakes

  • Look slightly up so the neck stays long.
  • Squeeze the glutes. Do not let the hips sag.

Progressions

  • Longer hold
  • One leg lifted
  • Hip thrust on the bench
Stick-figure illustration: Anchored Glute Bridge
Beginner

Anchored Glute Bridge

Works on station 56

  • glutes
  • hamstrings
Sets × reps3 × 10–15

How to

  1. Lie on your back with the heels hooked under the low bar and the knees bent.
  2. Press the hips up until the body is straight from knees to shoulders.
  3. Pause and squeeze the glutes.
  4. Lower slowly.

Tips and mistakes

  • Do not push the ribs up. The squeeze is in the glutes.
  • Keep the heels heavy under the bar.

Progressions

  • Pause at the top
  • One-leg bridge
  • Nordic curl

Wall bars

Stick-figure illustration: Wall-Bar Hanging Leg Raise
Intermediate

Wall-Bar Hanging Leg Raise

Works on station 6

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • grip
Sets × reps3 × 8–12

How to

  1. Hang from the top rung with your back to the wall bars.
  2. Brace the core and lift straight legs to horizontal (an L).
  3. Lower slowly without swinging.

Tips and mistakes

  • The bars behind you stop the swing; keep the back against them.
  • Bend the knees to make it easier.

Progressions

  • Toes to the rung
  • Windscreen wipers
  • Toes-to-bar
Stick-figure illustration: Human Flag Progression
Advanced

Human Flag Progression

Works on station 6

  • obliques
  • lats
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps5 × 3–10 s

How to

  1. Face sideways to the wall bars; top hand overhand on a high rung, bottom hand on a lower rung, arms straight.
  2. Push hard with the bottom arm and pull with the top arm.
  3. Start with a vertical flag (legs up), then tuck, then extend.
  4. Hold briefly and lower with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Build solid pull-ups, dips and side planks first.
  • Use a spotter for early attempts.

Progressions

  • Vertical flag
  • Tuck flag
  • Straddle flag
  • Full flag
Stick-figure illustration: Wall-Bar Climb
Beginner

Wall-Bar Climb

Works on station 6

  • grip
  • back
  • arms
  • core
Sets × reps4 climbs

How to

  1. Stand facing the wall bars and take a rung at chest height.
  2. Step and pull your way up, one rung at a time.
  3. Climb only as high as you can come down with control.
  4. Descend the same way, facing the bars.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep three points of contact.
  • Come down slowly. Do not jump off from the top.

Progressions

  • Higher climb
  • One-arm assist
  • Hanging leg raise at the top
Stick-figure illustration: Wall-Assisted Handstand
Intermediate

Wall-Assisted Handstand

Works on station 6

  • shoulders
  • triceps
  • core
Sets × reps4 × 15–40 s

How to

  1. Place the hands shoulder-width on the ground, a short step from the wall bars.
  2. Kick up gently so the heels rest on a rung.
  3. Push the floor away and keep the ribs tucked.
  4. Hold, then step down one foot at a time.

Tips and mistakes

  • Warm the wrists first.
  • A lower rung is easier. Move the hands closer to the bars to make it steeper.

Progressions

  • Higher rung
  • Chest-to-wall hold
  • Freestanding attempts on grass

Rings & suspension trainer

Stick-figure illustration: Ring Row
Beginner

Ring Row

Works on station 6

  • upper back
  • lats
  • biceps
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 8–15

How to

  1. Set the rings at waist to chest height.
  2. Hold a ring in each hand and walk the feet forward, body straight.
  3. Pull your chest up to the rings, turning the palms in.
  4. Lower with control.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the plank tight; don't sag.
  • More upright = easier; feet further forward = harder.

Progressions

  • Feet elevated
  • Archer ring row
  • Pull-up
Stick-figure illustration: Suspension Trainer Row
Beginner

Suspension Trainer Row

Works on station 6

  • upper back
  • lats
  • biceps
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 10–15

How to

  1. Clip the suspension trainer to an eye bolt on the beam.
  2. Hold both handles, face the anchor and lean back with straight arms.
  3. Pull the handles to your ribs, elbows close to the body.
  4. Lower slowly.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the straps taut the whole time.
  • Only anchor to the rated eye bolts or a pull-up bar, never the hangboard.

Progressions

  • Lower body angle
  • Single-arm row
  • Suspension trainer pistols and hamstring curls
Stick-figure illustration: Ring Dip
Advanced

Ring Dip

Works on station 6

  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 3–8

How to

  1. Set the rings at about hip height and jump to a support with straight arms, rings close to your body.
  2. Turn the rings slightly out and stabilise.
  3. Lower until the shoulders are level with the elbows.
  4. Press back up to straight arms.

Tips and mistakes

  • Master 10+ bar dips and a 30 s ring support first.
  • Keep the rings close to the body; don't let them drift out.

Progressions

  • Ring support hold
  • Band-assisted ring dips
  • Ring muscle-up
Stick-figure illustration: Ring Support Hold
Beginner

Ring Support Hold

Works on station 6

  • shoulders
  • triceps
  • chest
  • core
Sets × reps4 × 10–30 s

How to

  1. Set the rings about hip height and jump to a support, arms straight.
  2. Turn the rings out slightly so the palms face forward.
  3. Keep the body tight, legs together.
  4. Hold, then step down.

Tips and mistakes

  • Rings that shake mean the shoulders are tired. Step down before the arms bend.
  • Rings turned out are more stable than rings turned in.

Progressions

  • Longer hold
  • Ring dip
  • L-sit on the rings

Hangboard

Stick-figure illustration: Hangboard Assisted Hang
Intermediate

Hangboard Assisted Hang

Works on station 6

  • fingers
  • forearms
  • grip
  • lats
Sets × reps5 × 7–10 s, 2 min rest

How to

  1. Step onto a wall-bar rung and grip the hangboard's top jug rail.
  2. Keep your feet on the rung for assistance and straighten the arms.
  3. Take as much weight off your feet as is comfortable and hold.
  4. Progress to smaller edges only when the jug feels easy.

Tips and mistakes

  • Never jump onto the hangboard; finger tendons need slow loading.
  • Use open-hand or half-crimp grips; avoid full crimp.

Progressions

  • Less foot assistance
  • Full dead hang on the jug
  • 20 mm then 15 mm edges
  • Pocket hangs
Stick-figure illustration: Hangboard Jug Hang
Intermediate

Hangboard Jug Hang

Works on station 6

  • fingers
  • forearms
  • grip
Sets × reps5 × 8–15 s

How to

  1. Step onto a rung and take the big jug rail with both hands.
  2. Lift a little weight off the feet, arms straight.
  3. Hang without bouncing.
  4. Step back onto the rung before the grip fails.

Tips and mistakes

  • Never jump onto the board.
  • Stop while the grip is still honest. Finger tendons load slowly.

Progressions

  • Less foot help
  • Open-hand hang
  • Smaller edge
Stick-figure illustration: Offset Hang
Advanced

Offset Hang

Works on station 6

  • fingers
  • forearms
  • grip
Sets × reps4 × 6–10 s per side

How to

  1. Stand on a rung and take the jug with one hand and a smaller edge with the other.
  2. Share the weight, with more of it on the jug.
  3. Hold, then swap hands.
  4. Step down before either hand opens.

Tips and mistakes

  • The small edge only takes the weight you can still control.
  • Keep the shoulders down, not shrugged.

Progressions

  • More weight on the small edge
  • No foot help
  • Matched small edges
Stick-figure illustration: Lock-off Hold
Advanced

Lock-off Hold

Works on station 6

  • biceps
  • lats
  • forearms
Sets × reps4 × 3–8 s

How to

  1. From a jug hang, pull until the chin is near the rail.
  2. Hold that bent-arm position.
  3. Lower slowly to straight arms.
  4. Rest fully between tries.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the feet available on a rung until the hold is steady.
  • Do not bounce into the lock-off.

Progressions

  • Longer hold
  • One-arm assist
  • Pull-up on the high bar

Parallettes

Stick-figure illustration: Parallette L-sit
Intermediate

Parallette L-sit

Works on station 56

  • abs
  • hip flexors
  • triceps
  • shoulders
Sets × reps4 × 5–20 s

How to

  1. Sit between the parallettes and grip the bars.
  2. Press down to lift your hips off the ground.
  3. Extend both legs straight in front, horizontal.
  4. Hold with shoulders pushed down.

Tips and mistakes

  • Start with a tuck L-sit.
  • Point the toes and lock the knees.

Progressions

  • Tuck → one leg → full L-sit
  • V-sit
  • Press to handstand
Stick-figure illustration: Tuck Planche
Advanced

Tuck Planche

Works on station 3456

  • shoulders
  • chest
  • triceps
  • core
Sets × reps5 × 5–10 s

How to

  1. Grip the parallettes or push-up handles with straight arms.
  2. Lean the shoulders forward past the hands.
  3. Pull the knees to the chest and lift the feet.
  4. Hold with a rounded upper back.

Tips and mistakes

  • Build a planche lean first.
  • Warm up the wrists well.

Progressions

  • Planche lean
  • Frog stand
  • Advanced tuck planche
Stick-figure illustration: Planche Lean
Beginner

Planche Lean

Works on station 56

  • shoulders
  • chest
  • core
  • wrists
Sets × reps4 × 15–30 s

How to

  1. Grip the parallettes and lock the arms.
  2. Lean the shoulders forward past the hands, feet on the ground.
  3. Keep the hips in line with the shoulders.
  4. Hold, then shift back.

Tips and mistakes

  • Warm the wrists. A small lean done often beats a deep lean done once.
  • Do not bend the elbows to cheat the lean.

Progressions

  • Deeper lean
  • Feet together
  • Tuck planche
Stick-figure illustration: Parallette Support
Beginner

Parallette Support

Works on station 56

  • shoulders
  • triceps
  • core
Sets × reps4 × 15–40 s

How to

  1. Stand between the parallettes and press down to straight arms.
  2. Lift the feet and hold the shoulders down.
  3. Keep the ribs tucked.
  4. Step down softly.

Tips and mistakes

  • Locked elbows, not a soft bend.
  • This is the start position for the L-sit.

Progressions

  • Tuck L-sit
  • One-leg L-sit
  • Full L-sit

Push-ups

Stick-figure illustration: Incline Push-up
Beginner

Incline Push-up

Works on station 23456

  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 10–20

How to

  1. Place your hands on a bar at hip height, shoulder-width.
  2. Walk the feet back into a straight plank.
  3. Lower your chest to the bar, elbows at 45°.
  4. Press back up.

Tips and mistakes

  • Body stays in one straight line.
  • Use a lower bar to progress.

Progressions

  • Lower bar
  • Floor push-up
  • Decline push-up (feet on the bench)
Stick-figure illustration: Deep Push-up on Push-up Handles
Beginner

Deep Push-up on Push-up Handles

Works on station 56

  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 8–20

How to

  1. Place the handles shoulder-width apart on flat ground.
  2. Grip them and step back into a straight plank.
  3. Lower until your chest is level with or below the grips.
  4. Press back up.

Tips and mistakes

  • Neutral wrists are easier on the joints than flat palms.
  • Don't let the hips sag or pike.

Progressions

  • Feet on the bench (decline)
  • Pseudo-planche push-up
  • Archer push-up
Stick-figure illustration: Push-up
Beginner

Push-up

Works on station 123456

  • chest
  • triceps
  • shoulders
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 8–20

How to

  1. Hands under the shoulders, body in one straight line.
  2. Lower until the chest is near the ground.
  3. Press the floor away until the arms are straight.
  4. Keep the hips from sagging or piking.

Tips and mistakes

  • On grass, use the push-up handles if the wrists complain.
  • A full straight body matters more than extra reps.

Progressions

  • Handles for a deeper range
  • Diamond push-up
  • Feet on the bench
Stick-figure illustration: Diamond Push-up
Intermediate

Diamond Push-up

Works on station 56

  • triceps
  • chest
  • shoulders
Sets × reps3 × 6–12

How to

  1. Place the hands close, thumbs and index fingers touching, or use the handles close together.
  2. Keep the elbows tracking back, not flared wide.
  3. Lower the chest toward the hands.
  4. Press back up.

Tips and mistakes

  • If the wrists hurt, use the push-up handles.
  • Keep the hips level with the shoulders.

Progressions

  • Knees down if needed
  • Full diamond
  • Decline diamond
Stick-figure illustration: Decline Push-up
Intermediate

Decline Push-up

Works on station 56

  • shoulders
  • chest
  • triceps
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 6–15

How to

  1. Put the feet on the bench and the hands on the ground or the handles.
  2. Body in one line, head toward the ground.
  3. Lower the chest between the hands.
  4. Press back up without the hips piking.

Tips and mistakes

  • The higher the feet, the more the shoulders work.
  • Do not let the lower back sag.

Progressions

  • Higher feet
  • Handles for depth
  • Feet on a bar

Bench & kettlebells

Stick-figure illustration: Kettlebell Bench Press
Beginner

Kettlebell Bench Press

With a bench

  • chest
  • shoulders
  • triceps
Sets × reps3 × 8–12

How to

  1. Sit on the end of the flat bench with a kettlebell in each hand, then lie back with the bells at chest level, resting on the outside of the forearms, feet flat on the grass.
  2. Press both kettlebells up until the arms are straight over the chest.
  3. Lower slowly until the elbows are just below the bench.
  4. Sit up with the bells held close to the chest to finish.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the wrists straight; don't let the bells flop back.
  • Keep the shoulder blades back and down on the bench.

Progressions

  • Heavier kettlebells
  • Slow 3 s lowering
  • Single-arm press
Stick-figure illustration: One-Arm Kettlebell Row
Beginner

One-Arm Kettlebell Row

With a bench

  • lats
  • upper back
  • biceps
Sets × reps3 × 8–12 per side

How to

  1. Put one hand (or one hand and knee) on the bench with a flat back.
  2. Hold a kettlebell by the handle in the other hand, arm hanging straight.
  3. Pull the kettlebell to your hip, elbow close to the body.
  4. Lower slowly and repeat on the other side.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the back flat and don't twist the torso.
  • Pull with the elbow, not the hand.

Progressions

  • Heavier kettlebell
  • Pause at the top
  • Australian row → pull-up
Stick-figure illustration: Bulgarian Split Squat
Intermediate

Bulgarian Split Squat

Works on station 56

  • quads
  • glutes
  • hamstrings
Sets × reps3 × 8–12 per leg

How to

  1. Stand about 70 cm in front of the bench and put the top of your rear foot on it (or on the low bar on stations 5–6).
  2. Lower until the front thigh is about parallel and the rear knee is near the grass.
  3. Drive up through the front heel.
  4. Do all reps, then switch legs.

Tips and mistakes

  • Keep the front knee tracking over the toes.
  • Torso tall; don't push off the back foot.

Progressions

  • Hold a kettlebell in each hand
  • Slow 3 s lowering
  • Pistol squat
Stick-figure illustration: Bench Step-up
Beginner

Bench Step-up

With a bench

  • quads
  • glutes
  • calves
Sets × reps3 × 10 per leg

How to

  1. Stand facing the bench.
  2. Place one whole foot on the bench.
  3. Drive up through that heel to stand on the bench.
  4. Step down with control and alternate.

Tips and mistakes

  • Don't push off the bottom foot.
  • Start without weight, then hold kettlebells.

Progressions

  • Hold a kettlebell in each hand
  • Slow 3 s step-down
  • Bulgarian split squat
Stick-figure illustration: Goblet Squat
Beginner

Goblet Squat

With kettlebells

  • quads
  • glutes
  • core
Sets × reps3 × 8–15

How to

  1. Hold one kettlebell at the chest, elbows down.
  2. Sit between the hips, knees tracking over the toes.
  3. Go as low as you can keep the heels down.
  4. Stand by pushing the floor away.

Tips and mistakes

  • The bell stays close to the chest. It is not a front raise.
  • On grass, a firm stance beats a narrow one.

Progressions

  • Deeper squat
  • Heavier bell
  • Pause at the bottom