Svend Press

Svend Press 1

Yes you read the title correctly; this exercise is actually called the Svend Press. The Svend Press is my favorite exercise to target my inner chest. The movement requires you to flex your chest why pressing a plate.

To do a Svend Press:
1. Hold a plate between your hands. Your hands should be on the flat side of the plate, therefore you will have to press your hands against the plate to hold it.
2. Extend your arms and press the plate forward.
3. Bend your elbows and bring the plate in front of your chest.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for the allotted amount of reps.

Svend Press 2

TIPS:
1. Keep your chest activated during the entire exercise. When you press against the plates with your hands, you will feel a nice contraction in your inner chest.
2. You can press one plate or multiples plates at the same time. In the pictures, I am holding two 5lbs plates.
3. Make sure to keep your shoulders back and really squeeze your chest when your arms extended.
3. I like to do this exercise standing up, but it also can be done lying down on a flat bench or on an incline bench.
4. You will not have to start with a very heavy weight. I currently only use 10-20lbs to do this exercise.
5. Slower controlled motions will make this exercise more effective. Fast pulsing motions will not activate all of the muscles in your chest and put a strain on your shoulders, defeating the purpose of the exercise.
6. Try aiming to do 10-15 reps of the exercise per set. If you can easily go over 15 reps, increase the weight.

Watch a short video of the exercise being done by clicking here!

Have you ever tried a Svend Press? Let me know what you think! Contact me at corestrengthalec@gmail.com for more questions, comments, and ideas for new topics.

Quick Killer Leg Workout

Quick Killer Leg Workout February 2015 1

Yesterday my friend Ramin and I were short on time, but we wanted to get in a good leg workout. This is what we did in just a little over an hour, and trust me, this morning I am feeling it!

Our 1 Hour Leg Workout:

  • 6 sets of Hack squats (2 Warm Up sets, 4 Working sets)
  • 6 sets of Leg Press (2 Warm Up sets, 4 Working sets)
  • 4 Sets of Seated Leg Curls (1 Warm Up set, 3 Working sets)
  • 4 Sets of Glute Master/Butt Blaster Machine (1 Warm Up set, 3 Working sets)
  • 4 Sets of Goblet Squats (15 Reps at a moderate weight)
  • Pistol Squat Variations
  • Stretch


  • Quick Killer Leg Workout February 2015 2 TIPS:
    1. During our Warmup sets, we would do a light weight (about 50% of our max) and do about 15 reps. During a Working set, we would do a much heavier weight (75-90% of our max) and do anywhere from 6-10 reps or until failure.
    2. The important part of this workout is to not take very long breaks. In between each set, maybe take a minute to rest and then get back into it. You really want your muscles to be working hard the entire time.
    3. We ended up doing a Superset of the Seated Leg Curls and the Glute Master Machine. During a Superset, you do one exercise and immediately go to the other exercise, then rest after you finish doing both. This will keep you heart rate up and keep those leg muscles activated.
    4. For the Pistol Squat variations you can do whatever makes you comfortable. I was practicing my Pistol Squats on a Bosu Ball and I was doing walking Pistol Squats; however if you are not comfortable doing them, you can try doing Pistol Squats holding a TRX or even a chair or rail. Do something that makes you comfortable, but also challenges you.
    5. Do not forget to stretch, especially on leg day. You need to lengthen the muscles fibers and release some of the tension and lactic acid, otherwise you will not be able to walk tomorrow.

    Hope you liked this quick, but intense leg workout. Let me know if you end up trying it! Are there any other workouts you would like for me to post? Do you have any other ideas for topics? Let me know by contacting me at corestrengthalec@gmail.com