01 Dec
Blog

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Review: MMO Identity Crisis

World of Warcraft Shadowlands review presented wow

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Review: Even in death, WoW cannot find itself

"World of Warcraft: Shadowlands gets lost in trying to give players more choice than ever before and ultimately forgets to replenish the rewards machine needed to keep customers invested."

  • Gorgeous graphics

  • Fast leveling

  • Rich storyline for fans old and new

  • Progress is difficult to identify

  • The fight has no effect

  • Little motivation to play beyond level 60

In 2008, World of Warcraft was at its peak. Over 11 million people were ready to face the recurring threat posed by the Lich King – the corrupt paladin Arthas Menethil who became the standout character of the franchise's RTS (real-time strategy) days. But once the dust settled, attendance numbers dropped to a point where Blizzard wouldn't say how many were left. After Classic's boom and record orders for an expansion that promises to further explore the history of the Lich King, nostalgia clearly reigns supreme over Blizzard's greatest title. Now that we can explore the veil between life and death in Shadowlands, how long will we stay?

For many, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands actually kicked off a month before its release when the long-running level grind was reworked into a far less demanding sprint. The changes provided a refreshingly quick way for returning veterans to catch up in time for the expansion. The 6- to 10-hour experience leveling Shadowlands ultimately highlighted an important change in direction that Blizzard may have gone a little too far. It's not that there's too much or too little to get into – it's just difficult to find a reason to do anything at all.

For years, players have dealt with World of Warcraft in a variety of ways. PvE, PvP, Pokemon-like mount and creature collecting, competitive hunting and the reputation of a grinding faction for cosmetic rewards were a given. Virtually none of that has changed in Shadowlands. Not that it really was necessary. Aside from the introduction of Torghast, a Rougelit dungeon experience introduced after the first level grind, there is surprisingly little else to separate the last week from World of Warcraft and the last eight years.

There is a heaven and a hell for everyone

At the top of every new MMO expansion is a multitude of new zones to level up in. After playing the protagonist card to break out of Warcraft's version of eternal damnation, the capital city of Oribos is transformed directly from a PS1 into a glorified level-select-hub-era platformer, which successively opens storylines of the alliances about Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald and Revendreth . The style and tone of each zone differ drastically to suit the tastes of nearly everyone, but stray too far from the boundaries of a zone's questline, and it's easy to lose motivation, the actual mandatory action leading up to theirs to hold out the current degree.

The presence of side quests in the first playthrough suggests that an element of freedom is burned into the level experience, just like it is on the way to level 50. It is designed so that players can focus on a zone that they enjoy. But the truth is that it's as linear as possible. The Shadowlands campaign closes all major endgame content behind the intertwined lore of its zones. Regardless of what it looks like at first, the leveling experience isn't fluid here, which is strange considering how much blind freedom is imposed on the player after reaching the cap.

WoW Shadowlands The Maw

The real lack of direction begins at the end of the campaign quest line. Once players have gone through the history of each zone, they will need to choose which alliances to stick with. Aside from the unique new skills or two each thrown on the hotbar, there is virtually no crucial context in which to set out why players need to pick just one or what real difference it makes in daily life for the next year or two will mean Shadowlands is there for.

After making an uninformed decision, players follow the story of their chosen covenant until they are introduced into a litany of new content. There's Torhgast's roguelite tower, world quests, various currencies, the commanding desk's returning (but mechanically optimized) idle missions, and about five different reputation shops. There's a little bit of work to do at once.

Every feature is quickly thrown at the players. It's not that there is a lack of content, but why you want to indulge in something is never really clear. Without the rewards clearly on the table, it is difficult to get the motivation to run one piece of content on top of another – or none at all. Instead of searching through menus and vendors for motivation, I was often forced to turn the game off completely and start one that clearly shows its rewards.

WoW Shadowlands Bastion

Torghast, which is home to dozens of floors that can be explored with random modifiers and buffs, was a major focus of pre-release marketing for the expansion. I still see ads for it now. But after going through a small part of it I'm still not sure why I'm doing it exactly. As with many recent content catalogs, the reasons for its existence are painfully unclear.

An unnecessary fork in the road

After finally clearing my log of campaign quests for my first character, I was completely lost as to what to do next. I'm used to MMOs going all-in on the PvE aspect. The idea that the real fun begins at the maximum level is still a staple of the genre for most. There was always a lot to do in World of Warcarft other than hunting equipment for dungeons and raids. Given the need to fight your way to the max to experience it, one would think the path to continue this adventure would be obvious. Virtually everything in Shadowlands seems to be categorized as optional content, and it's never really clear what to focus on, why, or even how.

With no focus, the entire trip feels like an afterthought.

Had it not been for the updated items I received for later completing the campaign quests, I would not have had the equipment needed to immerse myself in the plethora of dungeons that were unceremoniously unlocked after reaching the cap. At no point did the game acknowledge that she existed, let alone that I have a compelling reason to queue for her. It's equipment. Players want to run them for equipment. The story is apparently irrelevant.

WoW Shadowlands Torghast

Almost all content currently available feels like it was on an assumed list of "optional content" that betrays a lack of orientation that Shadowlands has tried to disguise as freedom. If Blizzard really wanted the game to feel more open-minded, it could have been an important consideration to hide the distraction of side quests on a first pass and focus the campaign on properly introducing the expansion's activities in the late game. After all, they are already behind the plot. With no focus, the entire trip feels like an afterthought.

Our opinion

As it stands, Shadowlands feels a little lost in translation. Blizzard spent most of last year saying how it wanted its juggernaut MMO to feel more like an RPG again – where decisions are important and rewarding and plentiful. Oddly enough, Shadowlands feels more deprived of this than ever and becomes a kind of jumbled experience that sits awkwardly between an open-world "sandbox" MMO and a more linear "theme park".

It's not that there's too much to do, but there's a worrying lack of reason to really get into it. Players who fail to figure out what to do or how to do it run the risk of being left behind very quickly. Without the motivation to push the fans forward, in retrospect it won't be easy to get back on the track that they find. Torghast feels like the only piece of innovation this time around, but those who don't care will feel incomplete.

Is there a better alternative out there?

Breaking out is difficult for fans who have already invested in World of Warcraft. But for those who aren't, I strongly believe Final Fantasy XIV is the better overall MMO experience.

How long it will take?

About two years. This is the average lifespan of a World of Warcraft expansion. Fans have to pay a pretty expensive monthly fee that doesn't always equate to brand new content.

Should you buy it?

No. Even for expired World of Warcraft players looking for a reason to be drafted again, I don't recommend this as a reason to try. There's not enough meat on the bone to make fans ponder why they left in the first place.

Editor's recommendations




01 Dec
Blog

Winter Skin Care Tips: The Best Serums, Face Oils & Moisturizers

While a winter wonderland creates a feeling of cozy comfort, it can devastate your skin. Freezing temperatures and stormy winds bring dreaded side effects that deplete your skin's moisture, leaving it dry and dull. To fight the cold, we have some key winter skin care tips, including a winter specific skin care regimen. We also handpicked a selection Eminence Organic Skin Care Products for calming and repairing even the driest winter skin.

Winter Skin Care: How the Season Affects Your Skin

It happens every year – winter subsides and your skin pulls back, becoming dry, raw, and dull. The cold season is often the worst season for you for several reasons Complexion. First, brutal winter weather lashes around your skin, and cool winds pull moisture right out. Second, we compensate for lower temperatures by turning up the thermostat, which further removes moisture from your skin. With a double attack, it's no wonder your skin suffers in winter.

The bottom line of winter conditions? Dull, dry skin. Without moisture, your skin may be more sensitive and reactive than normal. Even oily skin types suffer from unusual dryness and flaking. To soothe your complexion, here are our suggestions for winter skin care from Eminence Organics.

asian women in the snow in winter

How to protect your skin in winter

1. Use a humidifier

In winter, convection heating blasts off moisture, removes important oils and leads to itchy skin. Try to counteract these drying effects by blowing a humidifier with warm or cold mist instead. Reintroduction Moisture in the air soothes and soothes irritated skin.

2. Hot showers and baths dry out your skin

You can warm up hot baths and showers on cold winter days, but only hot water – especially on the face dry out your skin. Extreme temperatures damage your skin's moisture barrier, preventing it from locking in the moisture it needs to stay soft and smooth.

3. Combat the symptoms of dry skin from within

Who would have thought that you can fight dry skin both inside and out? WebMD indicates that foods are rich in healthy fats improve the moisture content of your skin. Finally, fatty acids like omega-3 fatty acids help replenish the lipid barrier of your skin and protect it from moisture loss. Consume high-fat foods like flax, avocado, safflower oil, and nuts, as well as fish like salmon and sardines.

A 6-step winter skin care routine for hydration

To combat dull winter skin, we created a routine for all skin types that deals with winter issues. Follow these steps to give your complexion a glowing glow:

1. Cleaning

When winter draws the moisture away from your complexion, try adding an oil-based cleanser like ours Stone Crop Cleansing Oil for your skin care in winter. This type of cleanser is beneficial for all skin types (including oily ones!) As it can remove oil-based contaminants such as stubborn makeup. This cleanser also fills the skin with moisturizing ingredients like sunflower oil and jojoba oil. Use it alone or combine it with your favorite gel or cream-based cleanser in a double cleanse.

2nd tone

Another easy way to keep your skin hydrated during the winter months is to use a Toner. You can think of a toner as a conditioner for your cleansing. It adds a base layer of moisture that keeps your skin soft and hydrated. Try our Stone Crop Hydrating Mist with the unique properties of Stone Crop Plant to moisturize, soothe and heal dry skin. Check out the video below to learn more about this skin-friendly ingredient:

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v5jqCrGWtg (/ embed)

3. Apply essence

One of the best ways to replenish dry winter skin is by adding one Essence for your skin care. A facial essence is a light liquid that is often described as a cross between toner and serum. Our Birch Water Cleansing Essence deeply moisturizes the skin and prepares it to take advantage of the following skin care products.

4. Peeling

Exfoliating is the best way to revive dull winter skin. However, it is important to remember that cold temperatures and high winds can also make your skin more reactive. Fabulous fun recommends Calm Skin Chamomile Peeling Peel: “Thanks to Eminences Peeling Peeling for at home, your skin looks fantastic. We love the chamomile version, which soothes and renews even the most sensitive skin without irritation or redness … and unlike some harsh formulas on the market, you can use this gentle one up to three times a week. "

5. Treat

Eminence Organics face masks and facial oils are the perfect way to deliver an intense dose of nutrients and moisture to the skin. We recommend Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil, a facial that combines result-oriented active ingredients and ingredients for intensive hydration and protection. It can be used in the morning and in the evening and is suitable for all skin types.

6. Moisten

And finally, moisturize. Even if the sun isn't that strong in the colder months, sun damage can still occur. Our Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer contains deeply moisturizing coconut oil, shea butter and grapeseed oil in combination with the Green Apple Stem Cell Technology, which offers permanent age correction.

The best moisturizers, serums and face oils for dry winter skin

Facial Recovery Oil

Looking for perfect winter skin care products? Hydrate and heal dry skin with the precious herbs and oils of our award-winning Facial Recovery Oil. This luxurious face oil is infused with clary sage oil, olive oil, sage leaf extract and ylang ylang to soothe and renew dry complexions. Cameron Diaz is one of his many fans and says: "A drop goes a long way in relieving dryness in your skin. A drop on each cheek after a shower works wonders." This precious oil, known as "liquid gold", is the key to keeping dry skin soft and supple in the cold winter months.

Rose Hip & Lemongrass Repair Balm

If you suffer from dry skin in winter, give your skin an extra dose of moisture with the "solid gold" Rose Hip & Lemongrass Repair Balm. This revolutionary super balm harnesses the power of a natural repair complex of rose hip and rosemary to replenish moisture in the skin and protect it from the effects of environmental stress. Use it as a spot treatment for annoying areas like knees and elbows or as an ultra-rich face cream to repair and soothe dry winter skin.

Rose hip and lemongrass relaxants for the face and body

If your skin still feels dry, Rose hip and lemongrass calming hydrator for your winter skin care. This lightweight face and body moisturizer can be layered under rose hip and lemongrass repair balms to lock in moisture and repair dry winter skin. The cooling properties of camphor and menthol provide a refreshing feeling to rejuvenate skin that has been exposed to the elements.

Try our selection of cold weather essentials rolled into one Eminence Organics Spa partners in your area.

Product selection

Facial Recovery Oil

Facial Recovery Oil

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Product selection

Rose ship and lemongrass repair balm

Rose Hip & Lemongrass Repair Balm

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01 Dec
Blog

Weighted Crunches- Learn How Can Effective Help You Build Abs

The weighted crunches for abs are a weighted version of a popular ab training exercise.
Simply gaining weight makes crunching far more difficult, helps you build up your six-pack muscles, and provides a separate stimulus for the core during exercise.

Performing the basic weighted crunches dumbbell or upper back exercises at home to tone your abs is a fairly common choice. However, if you're wondering why you haven't got a washboard abs even after doing 100 crunches a day, it's time for you to look at things from a different perspective.

Consider doing weighted crunches for abs in your
Workouts?

Sometimes people make a distinction between ab training and training the chest, leg, and back muscles. Usually, at the end of their workout, people just add a few dumbbell weighted crunches to work. Amateurs try high repetition exercises like fluttering and crunching to get the abs they want. Don't get us wrong, but these exercises have their own place and if you practice them without guidance, you will not get the results you want. But if you're getting everything right and still not getting the results you want, you may need to try weighted crunches for abs, which provide the necessary overloading needed to make your abs pop out.

How Can You Benefit From Weighted Crunches?

Take advantage of weighted crunches

Weighted crunches will not only help you develop your upper abdominal activity and muscular endurance, but also all of the muscles in the abdominal region. While the use of various lower abdominal training exercises can help you highlight one area or another, it is practically impractical to just separate certain sections of the abdominal muscles and just work on them. Therefore, performing weighted crunches helps build muscles not only in the upper part of the abdominal muscles, but also in the lower and lateral parts, which also improves their development functionally.

Weighted Crunch Instructions

  1. In a casual situation, lie down with your knees down.
  2. Hold a weight plate right over your chest and squeeze it to enlarge.
  3. Raise your knees to 90 degrees so that they are overall opposite the floor.
  4. Exhale as you grasp your toes with the weight plate.
  5. When your abs are fully contracted and your upper back is off the floor, gradually lower yourself back to the starting position.

Should You Have A Diet Plan?

Diet plan for cradle crunches

First, people looking to build abs must first consume solid diet foods before discussing abs. You need to make sure you are eating a plate of good quality protein as recommended by your nutritionist. Ask your nutritionist about the right type of protein you should need for your weighted abs crunches. When your diet is inadequate, the abdominal muscles take time to develop and always remain covered in body fat. Rigorous exercise combined with a diet of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat will show your abs faster.
When you're lean enough and find that your abs aren't actually bursting even when you're lean, there are times when the abs that make up the Linea Alba are not entirely healthy.
We have seen people dream of a flat stomach with abs, but their diet is inadequate. In such cases, your abs will obviously not be visible. Make sure that your diet is balanced and you
do not consume extra calories so your abs are easily visible. But when your diet is in control
If you still can't see your abs, then most likely you need to start with weighted crunches for the abs
because this will help your abs to show themselves the next time you take off your shirt.

Best weight crunches or ab exercises just for you

There are notable ways that you can benefit from these weighted abs crunches. These exercises can help you practice lower rep ranges when weighted crunches get too easy. Weighted abs can help core muscles develop and look more defined. Not only does it increase your abdominal strength, but it also strengthens muscle definition. For the man in you who wants to flaunt those chiseled abs, the best and easiest way to do it is with weights

Let's look at some freehand weighted crunches for abs

Crunch on a ball

Crunch-on-a-ball weighted crunches

Sit on a Swiss ball and keep your feet shoulder-width flat on the floor. Slowly lie back on the ball so your back is parallel to the floor. Your lower back feels like it's curled around the ball. Raise your arms toward the ceiling and raise your chest in a grinding motion. Make sure your head and torso are in a straight line. Gently lift it up so you don't strain your neck. The crisis ends when your middle back no longer stays in contact with the Swiss ball. Do not climb any further as the ball may slip out from under your hip. Hold your body in the contracted position for three seconds and then return to the starting position.

Sets and Reps
Do this crunch 10 reps with 5 sets

Twist and crunch

Twist and crunch

Place your back on a mat to rotate and crunch. After that, place your hands next to your ears and raise your back legs in the air, folding them at right angles to your knees. Squeeze your abs and pull your right elbow over your body towards your left knee. Hold this position for three seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat the steps with your left elbow.

Sets and Reps
Do 5 to 10 repetitions on both sides.

Russian crisis

Russian crunch weighted crunches

Rest on a kneeling bench and place your legs under the cushions. Alternatively, lie on the floor with your feet on the floor and your knees folded on your back. Support your feet so that they stay firmly rooted on the ground. Slowly bend back so that your thighs and torso are at right angles. Crunch your abs, keeping both hands on your chest, and twisting your stomach on either side. This results in a repetition of these weighted crunches for the abs. Work with motion as quickly as possible without compromising the form.

Sets and Reps
Start with 5 reps and gradually work your way up to 10 reps

Wiper crunch

Wiper weighted crunches

Try wiper crunch if you don't want weighted crunches dumbbells. Lie back and bring your arms in the T position for better balance. Raise your legs in the air so they are at a 90 degree angle from the floor and keep your knees straight. Drop both legs on your left side, but don't touch the floor. Swing your legs together from left to right, being careful not to touch the ground. These weighted crunches for the abs are very similar to the movement of the windshield wipers on your car's windshield. A complete cycle from left to right repeats itself.

Sets and Reps
Repeat 10 times and let rest for 3 minutes.

Reverse crunch

Reverse crunch weighted crunches

As the name suggests, you need to lie on a bench and raise your legs in the air while bending your knees 90 degrees at the same time. Grasp the bench behind your head to stay in position. Keep your back straight and gradually lift your hips above the bench. These weighted abdominal crunches crunch your abs to apply pressure as you pull your knees toward your chest. At this point, your body weight should be resting on your shoulders and upper back. Hold the crunch for three seconds to work your abs.

Sets and Reps
Return to the starting position and do 10 repetitions

How to do a crunch with weights

Crunch-with-Weights

For the fitness enthusiast looking to get six pack abs, you can do weighted crunches with dumbbells. Lie on your back horizontally with your feet on the floor at a 90-degree angle on a bench. Keep the weight on your chest or stretch it out in front of you. Slowly lift your shoulders off the floor, keeping your lower back in place. Once you feel the stretch in your abs, squeeze them together and hold them for a few seconds. Let go and return to the starting position.

Sets and Reps
Repeat for as many reps and sets as you want, taking breaks.

Overhead weighted crunches
Perform this weighted crunches barbell by placing the weight above your head. This way you put extra pressure on your back which allows some extra muscles to work. In addition to the abdomen, quads, chest, and lower back, head-weighted crunches also work on the arms and shoulders.
You can also increase the intensity by performing weighted crunches, such as weighted dips for abs on an incline bench.

Inclined overhead crunches

Another variation of weighted crunches for abs are overhead weighted crunches. It is performed with the head lower than the hips. This is where your hips, torso, and head should be flat
Your back and feet should be secured under the footrest. Place a weight against your chest or above your head and raise your torso to your knees. This training allows a greater range of motion. When you are in an inclined position, you are working against gravity, increasing endurance. Your abs work harder, which results in firmer abs and a stronger core.

Sets and Reps
Maintain this position for a few seconds before lowering to the starting position.

Oblique overhead weighted crunches

01 Dec
Blog

How to Start Calisthenics Training

With the amount of information we are exposed to, it is easy to complicate our training. When it comes to calisthenics it seems unsafe because we see the end product of the best athletes, but calisthenics is for all levels.

There are several forms of calisthenics / bodyweight training that you can do depending on your goals.

It's important to keep things simple. You need to ask yourself, "Is my training in line with my goals?" I often see that people don't train specifically for the goals they want.

They say they want apples, but they plant orange trees.

This article aims to make calisthenics training easier, take you from beginner to advanced, and show you how all levels can use the body as a brush to create a masterpiece.

General Strength – Beginner to Advanced

I know the temptation to move forward as quickly as possible is substantial, but will only result in injury, massive weakness, burnout, and frustration.

If you haven't already done this style of training, start with the basics. Work on the big six:

  1. Pull-ups
  2. Dips
  3. Rows
  4. pushups
  5. Handstands
  6. Is it

These are the pillars of calisthenics training as they cover the muscle groups that are used in many advanced skills. Do this for 3-6 months.

It may seem long, but it's the fastest way to get ahead.

If you skip this important stage in your development, you will still have to come back to it as the cracks in your armor will show and progress will be slow.

In this phase the goal is to learn your first pullup.

For example, get familiar with 12+ reps. As you move on, start implementing different variations of these movements in the free beginner calisthenics program, Bodyweight Strong.

Use this time to improve your mobility and flexibility so that you are no longer restricted later.

Remember, less is more. More time in the gym and more days of training won't produce better results.

As a beginner, train 2-4 days a week. An hour per session is enough to do a good, quality job while giving your body plenty of time to recover.

Specific Strength – Intermediate to Advanced

In this moment, you focus on specific goals like static skills, freestyling, and rings.

Choose 2-3 goals that you want to focus on::

It really depends on what you want and where you want to do your workout.

Design your program in blocks of 4 to 8 weeks, with all of your training lasting 3 to 6 days per week.

Mon Tuesday Marry Do. Fr. Sat Sun
High intensity Low intensity High intensity Low intensity High intensity Rest Rest
traction Handstand balance grip traction Handstand balance core traction

For example, if your goal is the muscle building and handstand pushups, any exercise you choose for your program should improve one aspect of achieving those specific goals.

I see too many people trying to cover every movement pattern and working on every weakness.

Less is more. You can always change your focus in the next program.

Build strength

The word strength is used too loosely in fitness, so let's define it. When I mention strength, I refer to absolute strength as maximum repetition and maximum strength (85% to 90% of 1RM).

The stronger you are, the more calisthenics skills you can use.

Understand that your body has three energy systems that it uses independently or simultaneously to contract your muscles.

  1. Creatine phosphate lasts 1-12 seconds and is used for high intensity and demanding tasks like heavyweight or difficult body weight exercises that you can only do for low repetitions.
  2. Glycolysis and the oxidative system are used for muscle building, conditioning and endurance.
  3. The anaerobic system lasts 10 seconds – 2 minutes. The aerobic system is low-intensity and long-lasting. This is your endurance training or for daily tasks.

How to start calisthenics training - fitness, max. 1 repetition, training, endurance training, body weight exercises, calisthenics, mobility, flexibility, rings, handstand, energy systems, static balance, pull-ups, handstand push-up, rows, L-sit, hand strength, body weight training

Strength training puts a strain on the nervous system and requires at least 24 hours to recover between strength exercises.

  • Exercise 2-4 days a week.
  • Training your absolute strength to the point of failure should be used sparingly to test your current level or to achieve this motivational boost.
  • You can't exercise like this all the time because your nervous system won't recover between sessions and will ruin your progress.
  • Instead, exercise your maximum strength and leave 1 rep in reserve. If you know / think that you can do a maximum of 3 reps of an exercise (e.g., building muscle), do 2 reps for all of your sets.
  • This strengthens without overwhelming the nervous system.
  • Do high sets of 4-8 and 1-5 reps.
  • For isometry (during contraction, the muscles do not noticeably change length, and the affected joints do not move) 1-12 s.
  • Eccentric (contraction by muscle lengthening) 1-5 repetitions, each repetition for 7 seconds.

Remember, if you feel the pump or your muscles burn, you will stop exercising.

build muscles

Run away from anyone who says, "You can't build muscle with calisthenics."

Your muscles don't know the difference between bodyweight exercises, weights, or a table.

It cannot be determined whether you are lifting a 6 kg, 20 kg dumbbell or a body weight. Your body feels the resistance, the intensity and the stress of a movement.

What does the training look like? A rep range of 6-12 reps (at 65-85% of 1 rep maximum) is the most effective way to stimulate muscle growth.

Instead of increasing the weight, you increase the difficulty of the bodyweight exercises.

Choose exercises that challenge you in this rep range.

When pull-ups get easy, do a harder variant, such as B. Close-grip pull-ups. Use the same muscle building techniques as you would with weights such as mechanical tension, eccentric damage, metabolic stress, push-pull splits or drop sets.

Current culture wants to create a rivalry between calisthenics and weights when the reality is you can use both.

Gymnastics is a body weight sport and they use weights in their workouts.

Many sports, soccer, basketball, athletics, use weights to improve performance, calisthenics is the same.

  • Weighted calisthenics like weighted pull-ups and weighted dips are great ways to build strength and muscle.
  • Bodyweight exercises and weights are great for training compound movements (multiple muscle groups and joints).
  • There are a variety of isolation exercises (multiple muscle groups and one joint). Isolation exercises allow you to target specific muscles, which is great for improving aesthetics.

The lower body is inherently powerful, so bodyweight training can only go so far. Because of this, weighted squats, deadlifts, and hip kicks are great for building muscle.

Game training to goals

I always say there is no perfect way to train. It depends on your skills and goals.

Make sure your training is in line with your goals, and train specifically with those goals in mind.

Train like a power lifter if you want to do these advanced calisthenics skills.

Train like a bodybuilder if you want to be in the best shape of your life.

Train like an athlete when you want to go crazy or do some freestyling.

30 Nov
Blog

Immortals Fenyx Rising Review: Sleeper Hit of 2020

Immortal Fenyx Rising

"Immortals Fenyx Rising brings together the best and worst Ubisoft games with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild."

  • Beautiful design

  • Excellent fight and puzzles

  • Great script

  • Funny characters

  • Identical in structure to Breath of the Wild

  • Tiring marking system

Immortal Fenyx Rising may not be a perfect fit with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild organic exploration, but it more than makes up for its shortcomings with beautiful design, a witty script, and an excellent fight.

This is Ubisoft's third major open world game in two months. It's the only thing that isn't part of an established franchise, but it doesn't mean it's worth less of your time.

Its structure is all breath of the wild

Earlier this year, a gacha game (which employs a mechanic for capsule toy machines) developed by miHoYo came onto the stage. Called Genshin Impact, it was instantly compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which it mimics very closely. Immortal Fenyx Rising is even more of a clone of this popular game than Genshin Impact.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Flying

You play as Fenyx, a customizable ancient Greek soldier who wakes up after being shipwrecked on a small island. You won't be able to access the rest of the map until you've completed a few goals that will ultimately give you a tool for sliding off the peninsula. Once you get to the mainland, you will have to visit four powerful deities to gain their power and defeat the enemy in the center of the map. That enemy is Thypon, whom you can face from the moment you arrive if you wish.

Immortal Fenyx Rising more than makes up for its shortcomings with beautiful design, witty script, and excellent combat.

If you swap Link for Fenyx and Ganon for Tyhpon, it's a nearly identical structure to Breath of the Wild. All over the world there are hidden puzzles to be solved that you traverse with your glider. You also have the option of climbing anything – as long as you have the stamina. There are resources to collect, new armor and weapons to wield, and numerous vaults to explore that contain even more puzzles that will reward you with an item that can be used to improve Fenyx's skills.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Open World

The world will have to get used to games that borrow the formula for Breath of the Wild. It's the new Metroidvania, and much like these games, its design is too appealing to just leave behind. The good news is that immortals capture almost the same magic, except for one glaring flaw.

The exploration is more based on checklists

Breath of the Wild had an incredibly natural discovery. As a link, players made their way from one divine animal to the next and were pulled away from their unique path when their shrine sensor beeped or a certain topography was detected.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Puzzle

It meant that you always felt like you were pushing forward, even as you naturally doubled back. Immortals don't have that.

In the classic Ubisoft way, Fenyx can mark certain elements on the map, similar to what the player could do in Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This was one of my least favorite aspects of these games, and I was so grateful when they removed it in Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

You can be in place for minutes marking endless puzzles or resources and you will never get done. Granted, you could do without this ability at all, which I ended up doing, and you're going to run into something interesting anyway. But Immortals is much more focused on improving Fenyx and improving their skills. The more I refused to use the tagging system, the more I realized that the game was explicitly designed for that.

Hence, it rarely feels like you're pushing your search forward, and more like flipping from one marker to the next, even when you refuse to dig into the system.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Card

While Link acquires all of his skills within the first few hours, Fenyx gradually acquires them as the game progresses. Just climb a cliff? You have to unlock it, and the traverse feels incredibly disjointed without some of these key elements. This can be remedied by obtaining resources fast enough to upgrade Fenyx. However, this is just another barrier to organic discovery.

It's a difference from Breath of the Wild, which feels small on the surface, but changes the feel of the game a lot from moment to moment. Thankfully, the game's map is much smaller than other Ubisoft open-world titles, and the list of activities doesn't feel nearly as bloated.

Here's what immortals do differently

I'm happy to report that the rest of the variations from Breath of the Wild are fantastic, and that starts with writing. While Link & # 39; s adventure can feel a little empty and dry, Immortals is bursting with character and humor.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Zeus and Prometheus

The game is narrated by Zeus and Prometheus, two godbrothers who play off each other with jokes and jokes that kept me laughing throughout the game. Mixed in with their comedy is a refreshing glimpse into the stories of Greek mythology.

It creates a healthy balance that extends to the nature of the jokes themselves. Writing feels a lot like classic episodes from The Simpsons which were fun when I was a kid, but I only appreciated the full scope as an adult. A lot of elements of the story feel that way, with a really dark and smoky humor that is masterfully masked by snappy innuendos.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Hermes

Normally I would toss a podcast to the background when exploring an endless open world game like this, but the interjections of Zeus and Prometheus were so entertaining as Fenyx was moving around the map that I ultimately passed up on doing so do to pay attention to their narration. Additional characters, like the gods you encounter along the way, including Hermes, who is often by your side, also add to the brevity and texture of the world.

While Link & # 39; s adventure can feel a little empty and dry, Immortals is bursting with character and humor.

One aspect that Immortals enhance through Breath of the Wild is combat. Link wasn't a sucker in his game, but Fenyx is on another level with their weapons and skills. With a sword for light attacks, an ax for heavy attacks and a bow for ranged attacks, it is always fun to face the various mythological creatures, especially as you develop your skills and become more powerful. Monsters that prove difficult early on can be easily pushed aside later in the game, with new beasts taking their place at the top of the food chain.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Minotaur

One of the key elements of Breath of the Wild was its shrines, and while the discovery of the vaults in immortals isn't as robust, the puzzles and combat challenges contained therein are.

You can also find yourself on a scale unmatched by anything in Breath of the Wild, especially those that revolve around main quests that have multiple levels and objectives and that give the player a reason to even after receiving the bolt from a vault to return Zeus' lightning at the end.

The various mythical creatures are always fun to face, especially as you develop your skills and become more powerful.

The need to unlock skills can be annoying as I sometimes wonder if a hidden chest is only available when Fenyx gains a new power, or if I haven't solved the puzzle yet. This problem subsides as the game progresses as you may have all the tools at your disposal but you may have a bit of a bad taste in your mouth for the first few hours.

Immortal Fenyx Rising Vaults

Our opinion

Immortal Fenyx Rising brings both the best and the worst aspects of Ubisoft open world games into the DNA of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While the flaws can occasionally interfere with enjoyment, the game is so extensive and colorful that the more I played, the more forgiving of these flaws the more I played. Ubisoft has a fantastic new franchise in their hands that feels sonically unique and will undoubtedly get better with future installments.

Is there a better alternative?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild still has one of the best-realized open worlds, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla has a more refined battle.

How long it will take?

Simply following the story content results in around 30 hours of playtime, with playtime doubling to around 60 hours if a healthy portion of the side content is included and even more balloons are created for completers.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's a colorful, charming open-world game, although players who have already grabbed Watch Dogs: Legion and Assassin's Creed Valhalla could understandably be burned out on the formula by this point.

Editor's recommendations




30 Nov
Blog

How to Start Calisthenics Training

With the amount of information we are exposed to, it is easy to complicate our training. When it comes to calisthenics it seems unsafe because we see the end product of the best athletes, but calisthenics is for all levels.

There are several forms of calisthenics / bodyweight training that you can do depending on your goals.

It's important to keep things simple. You need to ask yourself, "Is my training in line with my goals?" I often see that people don't train specifically for the goals they want.

They say they want apples, but they plant orange trees.

This article aims to make calisthenics training easier, take you from beginner to advanced, and show you how all levels can use the body as a brush to create a masterpiece.

General Strength – Beginner to Advanced

I know the temptation to move forward as quickly as possible is substantial, but will only result in injury, massive weakness, burnout, and frustration.

If you haven't already done this style of training, start with the basics. Work on the big six:

  1. Pull-ups
  2. Dips
  3. Rows
  4. pushups
  5. Handstands
  6. Is it

These are the pillars of calisthenics training as they cover the muscle groups that are used in many advanced skills. Do this for 3-6 months.

It may seem long, but it's the fastest way to get ahead.

If you skip this important stage in your development, you will still have to come back to it as the cracks in your armor will show and progress will be slow.

In this phase the goal is to learn your first pullup.

For example, get familiar with 12+ reps. As you move on, start implementing different variations of these movements in the free beginner calisthenics program, Bodyweight Strong.

Use this time to improve your mobility and flexibility so that you are no longer restricted later.

Remember, less is more. More time in the gym and more days of training won't produce better results.

As a beginner, train 2-4 days a week. An hour per session is enough to do a good, quality job while giving your body plenty of time to recover.

Specific Strength – Intermediate to Advanced

In this moment, you focus on specific goals like static skills, freestyling, and rings.

Choose 2-3 goals that you want to focus on::

It really depends on what you want and where you want to do your workout.

Design your program in blocks of 4 to 8 weeks, with all of your training lasting 3 to 6 days per week.

Mon Tuesday Marry Do. Fr. Sat Sun
High intensity Low intensity High intensity Low intensity High intensity Rest Rest
traction Handstand balance grip traction Handstand balance core traction

For example, if your goal is the muscle building and handstand pushups, any exercise you choose for your program should improve one aspect of achieving those specific goals.

I see too many people trying to cover every movement pattern and working on every weakness.

Less is more. You can always change your focus in the next program.

Build strength

The word strength is used too loosely in fitness, so let's define it. When I mention strength, I refer to absolute strength as maximum repetition and maximum strength (85% to 90% of 1RM).

The stronger you are, the more calisthenics skills you can use.

Understand that your body has three energy systems that it uses independently or simultaneously to contract your muscles.

  1. Creatine phosphate lasts 1-12 seconds and is used for high intensity and demanding tasks like heavyweight or difficult body weight exercises that you can only do for low repetitions.
  2. Glycolysis and the oxidative system are used for muscle building, conditioning and endurance.
  3. The anaerobic system lasts 10 seconds – 2 minutes. The aerobic system is low-intensity and long-lasting. This is your endurance training or for daily tasks.

How to start calisthenics training - fitness, max. 1 repetition, training, endurance training, body weight exercises, calisthenics, mobility, flexibility, rings, handstand, energy systems, static balance, pull-ups, handstand push-up, rows, L-sit, hand strength, body weight training

Strength training puts a strain on the nervous system and requires at least 24 hours to recover between strength exercises.

  • Exercise 2-4 days a week.
  • Training your absolute strength to the point of failure should be used sparingly to test your current level or to achieve this motivational boost.
  • You can't exercise like this all the time because your nervous system won't recover between sessions and will ruin your progress.
  • Instead, exercise your maximum strength and leave 1 rep in reserve. If you know / think that you can do a maximum of 3 reps of an exercise (e.g., building muscle), do 2 reps for all of your sets.
  • This strengthens without overwhelming the nervous system.
  • Do high sets of 4-8 and 1-5 reps.
  • For isometry (during contraction, the muscles do not noticeably change length, and the affected joints do not move) 1-12 s.
  • Eccentric (contraction by muscle lengthening) 1-5 repetitions, each repetition for 7 seconds.

Remember, if you feel the pump or your muscles burn, you will stop exercising.

build muscles

Run away from anyone who says, "You can't build muscle with calisthenics."

Your muscles don't know the difference between bodyweight exercises, weights, or a table.

It cannot be determined whether you are lifting a 6 kg, 20 kg dumbbell or a body weight. Your body feels the resistance, the intensity and the stress of a movement.

What does the training look like? A rep range of 6-12 reps (at 65-85% of 1 rep maximum) is the most effective way to stimulate muscle growth.

Instead of increasing the weight, you increase the difficulty of the bodyweight exercises.

Choose exercises that challenge you in this rep range.

When pull-ups get easy, do a harder variant, such as B. Close-grip pull-ups. Use the same muscle building techniques as you would with weights such as mechanical tension, eccentric damage, metabolic stress, push-pull splits or drop sets.

Current culture wants to create a rivalry between calisthenics and weights when the reality is you can use both.

Gymnastics is a body weight sport and they use weights in their workouts.

Many sports, soccer, basketball, athletics, use weights to improve performance, calisthenics is the same.

  • Weighted calisthenics like weighted pull-ups and weighted dips are great ways to build strength and muscle.
  • Bodyweight exercises and weights are great for training compound movements (multiple muscle groups and joints).
  • There are a variety of isolation exercises (multiple muscle groups and one joint). Isolation exercises allow you to target specific muscles, which is great for improving aesthetics.

The lower body is inherently powerful, so bodyweight training can only go so far. Because of this, weighted squats, deadlifts, and hip kicks are great for building muscle.

Game training to goals

I always say there is no perfect way to train. It depends on your skills and goals.

Make sure your training is in line with your goals, and train specifically with those goals in mind.

Train like a power lifter if you want to do these advanced calisthenics skills.

Train like a bodybuilder if you want to be in the best shape of your life.

Train like an athlete when you want to go crazy or do some freestyling.

30 Nov
Blog

Empire of Sin Review: Crime Pays in Clever Strategy Game

Kingdom of sin

Empire of Sin Review: Crime pays off in a clever strategy game from the era of the prohibition

"Empire of Sin is a clever mob management game with a strong environment but some notable technical problems."

  • Updating setting

  • Clever management system

  • Strong role play elements

  • Missing options for battle speed

  • Failure and instability

The pairing of the 1920s prohibition story of Empire of Sin in the left panel with high-level strategy game tactics works so well that it's almost a surprise nobody thought of it before. It turns out that the world of bootlegging fits perfectly into a genre that is about managing operations and carefully planning every move. Who would have thought that?

The creative strategy game is a kind of wild passion project for Romero Games, an indie studio run by the married duo John and Brenda Romero. According to John Romero, the inventor of Doom, game director Brenda Romero put the idea into practice for over 20 years, and those two decades of conspiracy are evident in the end result. The game is as carefully planned as its criminal operations.

Despite its rough edges and the desperate need for battle speed options, Empire of Sin is a confident history lesson from the time of the prohibition that brings together some of the best elements of RPGs, as well as strategy and tactical games, to create a memorable mob management game. Create experience.

The roaring 20s

Empire of Sin is set in an alternate version of 1920s Chicago, in which the real world’s greatest gangsters of the time have gathered in one place to battle for supremacy. It's almost like Super Smash Bros. for jazz-era nerds when familiar faces like Al Capone and Stephanie St. Clair are embroiled in a city-wide turf war. The goal of each playthrough is to be the last gangster to stand when the smoke from the gun goes away by executing each rival.

This setting is rarely used in the video game world, and it's instantly enjoyable to dive into here. The bars are full of people dancing, jazz music is played during the brawls, and there is enough cigar smoke to suffocate a horse. It's not shy to offer a romanticized portrait of the era, but it doesn't sacrifice its dedication to historical detail to do so. At a time when video game worlds are getting bigger and fancier, there's something refreshing to stroll through the humble streets of Chicago.

The historical backdrop is not only used for aesthetic staging. While the 1920s presented gameplay challenges for a flashy action game, Empire of Sin took advantage of the slower pace of the era. At its core, the game is the most rampant city management game in the world. Players set up various rackets such as speakeasies and casinos and must carefully monitor them. Increasing the word of mouth of a brothel can make more money, but it can just as easily encourage a police raid. This constant balancing act makes building an empire a series of decisions that will have a real impact on any playthrough.

Thanks to simple menus, it's surprisingly easy to keep track of everything that's happening. This is a godsend for a complex game of its kind that could easily overwhelm players with options. I always knew exactly how to build a gang trade, bribe the Chicago Police Department, or change the alcohol my bars serve.

This constant balancing act makes building an empire a series of decisions that will have a real impact on any playthrough.

The game does an excellent job of rewarding efficient planning and money management. I felt like a true mob mastermind when a rival gang showed up at a high quality casino, only to be wiped out by the increased security I had invested in. Moments like this are usually reserved for big strategy games that deal with giant wars, like publisher Paradox Interactive's 2020 hit Crusader Kings III, but that style of play translates perfectly into the shabby intimacy of brawls and personal vendettes.

Mob hits

The management aspect is only part of the game's DNA. Combat follows a tactical approach to play à la XCOM and places mob members on a grid in turn-based shootouts. Each recruit receives two actions per turn that allow them to move, shoot, use an item, or perform a special ability.

The known system works on two different levels. For one, this reinforces the notion that the player is a mob leader who literally has the say by directing each of his subordinates. It also resists the urge to turn the 1920s into a modern day action movie by keeping the brawls a little slower and sloppier, making it feel truer to the clumsy guns of the time.

Kingdom of sin

This deliberate pace doesn't come at the expense of fun. There are still plenty of tricks for players to play around with as each recruit has their own skill tree and weapon skills. Some characters can offer defense by attracting shots, while others can throw axes at enemies. These quirks keep the fights fresh as players work to assemble a perfect crew of minions to cover up each other's weaknesses.

While the tactical element goes well with the theme, there is one major problem: there is no way to automate the fight or fast-forward it. Every time a player enters the fight, they must see it through to the end, unless they choose to escape via exit points. This results in longer fights when characters begin to miss out on direct shots.

At some point I stopped declaring war on rivals just to avoid getting caught up in a wave of protracted grunt fights.

This isn't a huge issue with missions and raids on enemy safes, but it does become a major pain point when gang wars break out. While engaged in major brawls, enemies attack a player's clubs at random. Players have to go through each fight manually and control the low-level security guards who don't possess any of the fun skills and perks that the right crew members have. In some cases I have been involved in up to seven indistinguishable encounters in rapid succession. At some point I stopped declaring war on rivals just to avoid getting caught up in a wave of protracted grunt fights.

It doesn't help that the game has some rough edges that weigh the heaviest in the fight. There are plenty of bugs, like the game getting stuck in the middle of a character move, crew members suddenly disappearing, or allies sliding across the battlefield as a living corpse. Most of these issues seem fixable (and many will hopefully be fixed in the game's first PC patch), but the current instabilities make for a somewhat unpredictable experience that can lead to unintended comedy or frustration.

Know your role

A game of this nature lives and dies because of its role-playing potential, and that is one aspect that puts Empire of Sin to shame. Playing through feels different as each gangster has their own set of skills, perks, and core storylines. Although the overall objective and side quests remain the same each time, the way a player approaches them can be determined by their style of play on a given run.

Kingdom of sin

On my first try, I chose Angelo Genna and played as brazenly as possible. I made enemies with everyone I crossed with and ended up being gunned down in a high-spirited attack on a safehouse. My next playthrough was far more successful as I used Stephanie St. Clair's persuasive skills to charm allies and enemies alike to lead my battles for me. In a complete change of pace, I turned Daniel McKee Jackson into a political sucker who refused to say no to a one-way deal a rival would make on his way to becoming mayor of Chicago. All three runs felt unique and satisfying in their own way, which made me want to try more gangsters.

A game of this nature lives and dies because of its role-playing potential, and that is one aspect that puts Empire of Sin to shame.

The RPG aspect is supported by some light but effective dialog trees and skill checks. Statistics like persuasion and intimidation come into play and can completely change the outcome of missions. In a quest I was assigned to take out a rival's group. Instead of killing his lackeys, I convinced everyone to join my cause and left them defenseless. Such story beats pay off for players who pursue a consistent vision of their gang leader.

The crew members have their own narrative depth as each has a back story and traits that shape their personality. On my successful run with Stephanie St. Clair, I developed a real bond with my self-proclaimed right-wing man, Grover Monks, a former carnival worker fearful of explosions after he accidentally blew up a concession booth as a kid. This level of detail makes each recruit feel like a consummate character playing a role in the Empire.

Much of the fun of Empire of Sin depends on one's own imagination and the willingness of the individual player to play the role of a gangster. The game offers a wealth of systems and details that make the role-playing game an inviting perspective. When all the genre pieces come together it's a fascinating historical fantasy that is easy to get lost in.

Our opinion

Empire of Sin offers a clever experience that fuses the genre and perfectly blends the world of 1920s organized crime with strategy game. Mistakes and a lack of combat speed or automation options can stall the pace, but it does an excellent job of putting the player in the mindset of a mob mastermind (or a fool at gunpoint) with streamlined speakeasy management.

Is there a better alternative?

Crusader Kings 3 by publisher Paradox Interactive is the best strategy game right now, but Empire of Sin is a little less intimidating.

How long it will take?

A successful run can take up to 10 hours, and there are 14 characters to choose from, each with their own story. Players can adjust the number of neighborhoods or bands present to extend or shorten the length of a playthrough.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's a unique twist on the genre with a fun American Crime History 101.

Editor's recommendations




30 Nov
Blog

What’s the right way to do a tricep pushups?

Sometimes it pays to make things harder than they are. Just like a bottle of wine on a hike for the perfect cheering photo up on the hill. Do you know what else it's worth? Turn a push-up that's difficult enough into a triceps push-up.

While we feel sorry for our lazy selves, sometimes you have to feel sorry to feel the thrill of a screaming – but sculpted – triceps. Triceps pushups, focus the spotlight on your upper arm muscles to make them stand out and attractive. Do not you believe me? Well then not! But listen to what Geoff Tripp has to say, "Regular pushups are burning, but they recruit all of the main pecs – your pecs, shoulders, triceps, and core – so the effort is spread across multiple muscles." And just in case you have no idea who Geoff Tripp is? Google and be shocked!

Tricep Pushups And The Right Way To Do It!

Let's get down to business now! Below is a step-by-step guide on how to do triceps pushups properly!

  1. Start with a high plank position and with your hands just below your shoulders. Now try to get your core engaged by pulling your belly button towards your spine.
  2. Keep your legs straight and your hips straight. Pull your arms closer to your sides so that your elbows are pointing back, and drive your hands into the floor to keep your shoulder steady.
  3. Now slowly lower yourself towards the floor while pointing your elbows back and keeping the core engaged. Lower down to your arm, elbow, and shoulder to form a 90-degree angle.
  4. Press hard enough into the floor to lift your body back up. And that's one, a repetition.
  5. Aim for two to three sets of triceps pushups of 10 to 12 repetitions with an interval of 30 seconds. And if at any point you can't slide back into a plank, try dropping on your knees to do the trick and continue with the set.

Why should you do triceps pushups?

Triceps pushups target your upper body compression muscles, namely your triceps with supplemental support from the muscles in your chest, core, and shoulders. While regular push-ups – with your hands – work with your chest and upper arms, triceps push-ups target the tris and shoulder in particular.

Triceps pushups are an amazing strength builder without a doubt – but also some kind of catch-22 in that you need strength to do them. If your torso is still in progress mode during a triceps push-up, it's easier to make the movement a bit easier by placing your knees on the floor so you can build that basic tri-power. However, make sure to still keep your elbows close to your chest when practicing a triceps push-up so this is challenging.

Reverse triceps pushups:

A reverse push-up is very different from your regular push-up. Reason? This is because the resistance you experience when performing such a resistance is provided by your own body weight, just like a regular push-up. Otherwise, the two exercises have little in common. However, triceps pushups are popular with those using the bar method as a triceps strengthening exercise. However, you may need to be careful to maintain a very limited range of motion to avoid injury. Do you want to know how? Below you will find step-by-step instructions on how to proceed!

  1. First, sit on the floor and place your arms slightly bent on either side of you with your palms flat on the floor. Your arms should be just below your shoulders and your legs should be straight out in front of you with your heels pressing into the floor. However, stretch as much as you can.
  2. Now push your body off the floor by stretching out your arms. And as you do this, try to pull your shoulders back to activate them as stabilizers. Hold this position for about 30 seconds before slowly lowering your body to the floor.
  3. For this exercise to be done safely and effectively, try to minimize the number of slow repetitions possible. Aim for 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions in each set.

A word of caution, try to move slowly and purposefully as trying to do as many repetitions as you can as quickly as possible isn't key and won't effectively attack your triceps. Rather, it could lead to a shoulder injury. Maintain the correct shape, keep your spine straight and your hands under your shoulders at least, as I always say that correct position is the main foundation for any workout and plays an important role in avoiding injuries of any kind.

Some great triceps pushups:

  1. Traditional triceps push-ups

To do a traditional triceps push-up, take a normal push-up position and place your hands close together but below shoulder level – between your chest and neck – to target your triceps.

  1. Med Ball version

To create a version of the med-ball, take a push-up position with your hands close together on a med-ball or basketball. Not only does this variation force your triceps to work harder, but it also helps improve your balance and core stabilization because your hands are on an unstable surface.

  1. Inverted hands on the med ball

To do an inverted hand on the med-ball, start with a sitting position with the ball behind you. Performing a push-up with your hands on a medical ball or basketball also strengthens your hands and wrists, which is very important for pushing and blocking in soccer and passing in basketball. Now place your hands tightly together on the ball, either with your fingertips back or away from your body. The key is to keep your elbows close to your sides and straighten your legs with your heels on the floor. And more intensity needs to be applied on your heels than with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

Intermediate: To make these push-ups a little more challenging, try moving your heels on a bench or chair.

  1. Neutral grip version (practical dumbbell handles)

Assume a push-up position in which two dumbbells are placed vertically close together a few inches apart and your hands grasp the dumbbell handles with your palms together. Keep your head and shoulders in front of the dumbbells to isolate your triceps, making sure the dumbbells are just below your upper chest.

  1. Reverse dumbbell version

This variation of push-up begins with a pair of dumbbells placed vertically behind your back close together. Now sit on the floor with your legs outstretched and rest on your heels. Grasp the dumbbells with a neutral grip and try to push yourself up. Do not try to bend your knees. Keep your back straight, your heels in the ground, your knees straight, and contract your triceps at the top of the movement. Slowly lower to the starting position and repeat. You can make this workout more challenging by doing the exercise with your heels on the medical ball, chair, or bench.

  1. Swiss ball version

The Swiss Ball version of Tricep Pushups is perhaps the most difficult of all versions. To do this, take a push-up position with your hands close together on a Swiss ball. Now place your hands under your upper chest and let your head and shoulders protrude above your hands. The unstable Swiss ball challenges your core muscles in addition to your triceps and upper body muscles to build size and improve balance between your upper and lower body. However, make sure to tone your abs to prevent your lower back from sagging or the whole point of these push-ups will be in vain. Try doing the exercise with one foot off the floor for the extra intensity, as well as improving balance and core strength! Sounds challenging, doesn't it? That's because it is!

  1. Toes on the Swiss ball

Another challenging twist on triceps push-ups. Assume in a push-up position with your hands close together on the floor and your toes on the Swiss ball. The unstable Swiss ball challenges your core muscles in addition to your triceps and upper body muscles to build size and improve balance between your upper and lower body. And for an even bigger challenge, do the movement with one foot off the ball.

Conclusion:

Pushups are really hard. And it's only natural that the body wants to drop your hips and straighten your arms. Whether you like it or not, maintaining proper form is important to prevent injury and build strength. So make sure your core and body stay in a straight line throughout the movement, with your arms close to your sides, then slowly lower them to 90 degrees and extend all the way up.

30 Nov
Blog

How to Build a Brand in the Fitness Industry

Our guest is Andrew Coates. Andrew is a coach, writer, and podcast host. He works with athletes and gen-pop clients with an emphasis on education and fun.

This means that their training, diet, and lifestyle are sustainable for long-term progress.

Over the past few years, Andrew has grown to be a prolific content creator. In this episode, we discuss how he exercises over 35 hours a week with weekly podcast episodes, writes articles, and posts daily on social media. We also examine how this has opened up several possibilities for him.

If you're interested in growing your impact in the fitness industry and need practical tips on how to get there, this episode is a gold mine.

You can also find this podcast on top of all of my other Six Pack of Knowledge podcasts (curated discussions with the world's greatest hypertrophy experts).

Or search for Breaking Muscle's channel and podcasts on the following services: iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM, PodBean.

29 Nov
Blog

How to Build a Brand in the Fitness Industry

Our guest is Andrew Coates. Andrew is a coach, writer, and podcast host. He works with athletes and gen-pop clients with an emphasis on education and fun.

This means that their training, diet, and lifestyle are sustainable for long-term progress.

Over the past few years, Andrew has grown to be a prolific content creator. In this episode, we discuss how he exercises over 35 hours a week with weekly podcast episodes, writes articles, and posts daily on social media. We also examine how this has opened up several possibilities for him.

If you're interested in growing your impact in the fitness industry and need practical tips on how to get there, this episode is a gold mine.

You can also find this podcast on top of all of my other Six Pack of Knowledge podcasts (curated discussions with the world's greatest hypertrophy experts).

Or search for Breaking Muscle's channel and podcasts on the following services: iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM, PodBean.

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