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When it comes to training, not all exercises are created equal.

fit woman doing glute kickbacks with resistance band on yoga mat

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Let’s get into it.

Sled pushes tax your legs, core, and lungs without the impact on your joints.

Battle ropes give you a killer cardio hit while keeping your form in check.

burpees demonstration, concept of exercises that destroy your back after 50

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Both are safer, more effective, and just as sweat-inducing as burpees.

Plus, the resistance from the band isn’t enough to stimulate real strength gains.

Swap these out for lateral lunges or Bulgarian split squats.

Mini-Band Lateral Walks

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If you want serious results, think bigger and go heavier.

The movement uses a light load with a limited range of motion, meaning minimal muscle activation.

If you’re serious about glute growth, this isn’t the best use of your time.

Woman doing Resistance band glute kickbacks exercise.

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Hip thrusts and Romanian deadlifts are the way for solid glute development.

Hip thrusts allow you to load up heavy while directly targeting the glutes.

Romanian deadlifts build posterior chain strength and give you more bang for your buck than isolated kickbacks ever could.

Bench Dips

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If you want strong, sculpted triceps without shoulder pain, opt for parallel bar dips or close-grip push-ups.

It locks your shoulders into a fixed position, leading to discomfort or injury over time.

Go for dumbbell bench presses or dips for better chest development with less risk.

barbell bench press illustration

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You’ll still get strong without being locked into a rigid movement pattern.

Your workouts should be smart, not just hardtrain with intention and make every rep count.