1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Exercise

Exercises for Individual Muscle Groups

Get sample exercises for the muscles of the butt, hips, thighs, chest, back, biceps, triceps and abs to build strength, lose weight and get in shape.
Chest Exercises
These three chest workouts incorporate the most effective chest exercises for beginners, intermediates and advanced exercisers.
Step by Step Exercises for the Chest
These strength training exercises target the muscles of the chest. Includes pictures and detailed descriptions.
Back Exercises
These exercises target all the muscles of the back including the lats, upper back and the lower back.
Step by Step Exercises for the Back
Get step by step instructions on how to do a variety of back exercises for the upper, mid and lower back.
Shoulder Exercises
Learn about the basic strength training exercises you can do for your shoulders such as overhead press, lateral raise, rotations and more. Includes pictures and descriptions.
Step by Step Exercises for the Shoulders
The strength training moves target the muscles of the shoulders for strength, endurance and flexibility. Includes pictures and descriptions
Biceps Exercises
It may seem like there aren't many ways to work your biceps. But, by changing your resistance or the position of your body, you can target your biceps in different ways. Learn the basic bicep exercises and how to do them. Includes pictures and descriptions.
Step by Step Exercises for the Biceps
These exercises target the bicep muscles. Includes pictures and detailed instructions
Triceps Exercises
Curious about different ways to target your triceps? This page lists basic exercises to work the back of your arms, including pictures and descriptions.
Step by Step Exercises for the Triceps
These exercises target the muscles of the triceps in the back of the arms. Includes pictures and detailed instructions.
Step by Step Exercises for the Triceps
These exercises target the muscles of the triceps in the back of the arms. View detailed instructions and pictures of triceps exercises.
Squats for the Glutes, Hips and Thighs
Get pictures and instructions for a variety of squats for the glutes, hips and thighs from your About Exercise Guide.
Lunges for the Hips, Glutes and Thighs
Learn a variety of ways to do lunges from static and walking lunges to side and front lunges to work the butt, hips and thighs.
Hamstring Exercises
These pictures and descriptions show a variety of moves for the hamstrings including deadlifts, one-legged deadlifts, hamstring rolls and more. These exercises target the lower back, glutes and hamstrings.
Lower Body Progressions
This chart shows examples of how to progress from beginner exercises to moves that are a little more advanced. Once you mastered the basics, you'll be ready to move on to more challenging exercises and this workout shows you how.
Upper Body Progressions
This Upper Body Progression Workout shows some examples of how to progress from beginner exercises to more advanced versions. You'll know you're ready to move on to the next progression once you've mastered the move and can easily perform 2-3 sets of up to 16 reps with perfect form.
How to Do a Pushup - Variations, Modifications and Mistakes
Pushups are a powerful exercise for the chest, shoulders and core. Learn the proper way to do a pushup as well as variations, modifications and how to correct mistakes.
How to do a Lunge
Lunges are a powerful exercise, allowing you to shape and strengthen almost every muscle in the lower body –- the hips, glutes, quads, hamstring and calves. Lunges are tougher than squats because the split stance puts you in an unstable position, which challenges your balance. The stance also changes the load on your body, allowing you to work each leg more independently.
Compound Exercises - Step By Step Compound Exercises for the Entire Body
Compound exercises are dynamic moves that involve more than one muscle group and more than one joint action. By incorporating compound exercises into your routine, you can work your entire body, save time and burn more calories.
Squat Exercises Photo Gallery
A variety of ways to do squats for the butt, hips and thighs
Explore Exercise
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Exercise
  4. Strength Workouts
  5. Exercises by Muscle Group

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.