How do dumbbell squats compare to barbell squats when it comes to building muscle? Not very well. Both the dumbbell and barbell squat work many of the same muscles, most notably the quadriceps and glutes. However, the barbell back squat is by far the better option when it comes to stimulating growth in those muscles. […]
Cross Body Hammer Curl vs Hammer Curl: Muscles Worked, Pros & Cons
If you want to know what the cross-body hammer curl is, what muscles it works, and how it compares to a regular hammer curl, this page will tell you everything you need to know. What is the Cross Body Hammer Curl? The cross body hammer curl is an isolation exercise used to train the muscles […]
Stiff-Leg Deadlift vs Leg Curl: Which Is Better?
If you want bigger, stronger hamstrings, which exercise is better, the stiff-leg deadlift (also known as the straight-leg deadlift) or the leg curl? Should you do one, the other or both? The hamstrings are a group of muscles in the back of your thigh that flex the knee and extend the hip. You’ve got biceps […]
Overhand vs Underhand (Reverse Grip) Barbell Row: Which is Better?
What’s the difference between doing barbell rows with an underhand or an overhand grip? Is one better than the other? Here’s everything you need to know. What is the Underhand Barbell Row? When I talk about the underhand barbell row, sometimes known as a reverse-grip bent-over-row or Yates row, this is the type of thing I […]
Seated vs Lying Leg Curl: Which is Better?
What’s the fastest way to make your hamstrings grow? The seated or lying leg curl? Here’s everything you need to know. While the hamstrings are involved in compound lifts like the barbell squat and leg press, their contribution is relatively small. If you want to maximize growth in the hamstrings, you’ll need exercises that train […]
Lat Pulldowns vs Pull-Ups: What’s the Best Lat Exercise?
Some say that pull-ups (where your palms face away from you) and chin-ups (where your palms face you) are the best back exercises, giving you a lot more “bang for your buck” than lat pulldowns. Personally, I take the opposite view. For most people, most of the time, pulldowns are a better option than pull-ups […]