1. Weighted Sumo Squats

To start, a squat is a basic lower-body exercise. Due to the activation of more than one joint and muscle, this exercise is classified as a compound exercise. When factored into a weight training program, squats give you fast gains in size and strength. When incorporating them into your training routine, there are a number of squat variations to consider based on your individualized goals—front and back squats, overhead squat, jump squat, single-leg squat, goblet squat and sumo squat (just to name a few). A sumo squat, also known as a plie squat is a variation on a standard squat and differs in two main ways—foot positioning and muscle emphasis.

The main difference between the two exercises is the placement of your feet. During a regular squat, the feet are placed hip-width apart, and the toes face forward or slightly out. When doing a sumo squat, the feet are in a wide stance with the toes turned out at an even greater angle.

Because of the foot positioning, the muscles emphasized in each of these variations differs, too. Both work the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors and calves. However, the sumo squat places more emphasis on the inner thigh adductors, and glutes. Depending on your core strength, you may also find sumo squats an additional challenge to your balance, as you’re putting your body into a new alignment and need stability to keep from rocking forward or back on your heels.

To perform: Stand with your feet wide, toes pointing out. Bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply, so your thighs are parallel with the floor. …
Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely and squeezing the glutes at the top of the movement to get the most from the exercise.

2. In & Out Dumbbell Bicep Curls

To develop an impressive set of biceps you need to target the muscles from every angle. That’s right, muscles. The biceps brachii (long and short heads), as well as the medial head and brachioradialis (forearm) must all receive some (tough and exhausting) love in order for you to achieve attention-grabbing guns. The perk of this one is that you will feel these in your entire arms, including your shoulders… not just you biceps. Hello tank top arms!

To perform: Weights by your side, lift and do a normal bicep curl and back down, then turn your hands facing out and do a bicep curl. That is one rep.

Check out the demo video here: