Exercise Atlas

The Exercise Atlas is a reference collection that introduces movements one by one: target area, difficulty level, correct form and common mistakes. It was made for people who want to understand a movement before performing it.

Scope: which movements are covered?

The atlas spans a wide range, from basic bodyweight movements to free-weight and resistance-band exercises and on to flexibility and balance work. Each record contains a step-by-step description of the movement, the area it targets, its difficulty level, the equipment needed, form tips and the mistakes made most often. The aim is that no movement whose name you see in a programme should remain unfamiliar to you.

Filters: area, equipment, difficulty

You can narrow the records by the area a movement works, the equipment it needs and its difficulty level. Set up a combination such as "at home, no equipment, beginner level" and only the movements that fit your circumstances appear. When you want to know which muscle a movement works and how, you can move from the record to the relevant muscle page in the Muscles and Movement Atlas.

Reading the records: form and safety

The form tips are the most important part of a record; doing a movement correctly is worth more than doing it many times. Be sure to read the common mistakes section as well, since most injuries arise from known and preventable errors. This atlas is no substitute for a personal programme; for movements you are not sure suit your state of health, consult a professional. For the general principles, the Sport and Fitness section is a good guide.

Records (20)

Bird Dog

The Bird Dog is a core exercise: from a four-point kneeling position you extend one arm and the opposite leg at the same time while the trunk stays still. It is a common

Bodyweight Squat

The bodyweight squat is the movement of squatting down and standing up with no added load, and it forms the foundation of lower-body training. Learned properly, it is the

Box Squat

The Box Squat is a squat variation performed by sitting down onto a box or chair under control and standing back up. Because it standardises depth and takes away the fear

Dead Bug

The Dead Bug is a core exercise performed lying on your back, slowly extending the opposite arm and leg and bringing them back. Because the lower back stays in contact wi

Dumbbell Bench Press

The dumbbell bench press is a basic pushing exercise: lying on your back, you press two dumbbells up from chest level. Compared with a barbell it offers a wider range of

Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift

The dumbbell Romanian deadlift (RDL) is a movement in which the knees stay slightly bent while the hips travel backwards and the trunk folds forwards. It is one of the mo

Dumbbell Row

The dumbbell row is a basic pulling exercise: with the trunk bent forwards, you draw a dumbbell towards the abdomen to work the muscles of the back. It is usually perform

Farmer Carry

The Farmer Carry is the exercise of walking with an upright posture while carrying a weight in each hand. It is one of the most functional carrying movements, training gr

Glute Bridge

The Glute Bridge is a bridging exercise: lying on your back, you lift your hips to work the muscles of the buttocks. It is one of the basic movements that safely wakes up

Goblet Squat

The Goblet Squat is a squat variation in which a dumbbell or kettlebell is held in front of the chest like a goblet. Because the load in front naturally keeps the trunk u

Incline Push-Up

The incline push-up is a push-up variation performed with the hands on a worktop, bench or other solid raised surface. It is the bridge between the wall push-up and the f

Kettlebell Deadlift

The kettlebell deadlift is the exercise of lifting a kettlebell placed between the feet from the floor with a hip hinge. Because the load stays close to the body and cent

Lat Pulldown

The Lat Pulldown is the exercise of sitting at a machine and pulling a bar down towards the chest from overhead. It targets the latissimus dorsi, the broadest muscle of t

Push-Up

The push-up is the exercise of pushing away from the floor while holding the body in a straight line; it works the chest, shoulder and arm muscles together with trunk con

Resistance Band Row

The resistance band row is a pulling exercise you can do at home: holding a band, you draw your elbows back to work the muscles of the back. Because a band is light and p

Shoulder Press

The shoulder press is a vertical pushing exercise in which dumbbells are pressed overhead from shoulder height. It targets the shoulder muscles, and performed standing it

Sit-to-Stand

Sitting down on a chair and standing up again turns the most basic movement of daily life into a deliberate exercise. It is the safest form of squatting for people new to

Step-Up

The Step-Up is the exercise of stepping onto a step or box with one leg and coming back down under control. As the training form of climbing stairs, it works leg strength

Supported Single-Leg Stance

The supported single-leg stance trains standing on one leg while one hand rests lightly on a chair or a wall. It is one of the most accessible starting points for develop

Wall Push-Up

The wall push-up is the most accessible push-up variation: you stand and lean your hands against a wall. Because the body stays close to upright the load is light, which

Frequently asked questions

In what order and for how many repetitions should I do these movements?

The atlas introduces the movements; sets, repetitions and sequence belong to a programme and vary from person to person. You can learn the logic of programming in the Sport and Fitness section, and consult a professional for planning tailored to you.

How do I know whether a movement suits me?

The difficulty level and the cautionary notes in the record are the first filter. If you have a joint problem, a chronic condition or any doubt, ask a health professional before trying the movement.

Are there videos?

The records work through step-by-step written descriptions and form tips; visual support is being enriched over time. The written description is a deliberate choice, so that you take the movement in without rushing it.

First published: 2026-08-12Last reviewed: 2026-08-12Editorial status: working editionReport an error