🏋️ 15 upper abs exercises for a stronger core

Like your trusty protein shaker bottle, the BarBend Newsletter is here to deliver sweet, sweet sustenance to your fitness-obsessed brain. (But unlike your shaker bottle, you’ll never get a funky smell from us.)

Here’s what’s on the agenda for today:

• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared a brutal shoulder workout finisher.

• The difference between low-bar and high-bar squats.

• A look at 15 killer upper-ab exercises.

Celebrity Workouts

Boulder Shoulders Like “The Rock”

With over 383 million Instagram followers, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson certainly knows he holds a lot of sway in the fitness world. And whenever this blockbuster movie star shares a workout, he’s probably trying to give us all a good challenge. (Isn’t that sweet of him?)

His latest shoulder workout finisher fits right in line with such a mission. The mandate is simple: You do lateral raises with 50-pound dumbbells for a set of 10. From there, you drop to the next-lightest dumbbell for sets of eight until you run out of dumbbells to lift. (Or until you hit absolute failure.)

Don’t worry. If “The Rock” can do it, you can, too. Well, eventually … with the right commitment.

Training Tips

Highs and Lows

While the squat is probably already a staple in your training, you might not be as familiar with different positions. For one, where you put your barbell on your back does, in fact, matter.

And today, we’re breaking down the difference between both the high-bar and low-bar squats.

Even though the two exercises might look similar from a distance, they have their own benefits, and one or the other might better suit your specific goals. To figure out which squat setup is best for you, let’s compare them.

Fitness

Upper-Abs Excellency

While we all know that abs are mostly made in the kitchen, you still need to put the work in at the gym. (We heard that audible groan!) Because, as everyone knows, a strong core and shredded abs can mean everything to both your fitness and everyday life.

In the interest of getting your core ahead of the curve, we’re breaking down 15 stellar upper abs exercises to give you a stronger trunk. From some good old-fashioned crunches to dragonflies, there’s something here for everyone.

Everything Else

The 2023 CrossFit Games Field

• We’re just about two months away from the 2023 CrossFit Games in Madison, WI. Here’s who’s already qualified.

• Legendary Dutch powerlifter Ielja Strik recently claimed her 24th World title at the recent 2023 World Classic Bench Press Championships.

• Alternating biceps curls will tone up your arms. But be sure to read our quick tutorial to make sure you’re doing them right.