The Only 25 Exercises You Ever Need

If I could pick 25 exercises to build a complete physique, these are the ones.

Out of the hundreds, if not thousands of exercises that I've done in my life, these are the best of the best. And

here's the crazy part. To keep things interesting, I'm going to try to set a new personal record on all 25 exercises.

That was actually harder than I expected.

>> Usually, when I film exercise demos, I use light weights so I can focus on proper technique. In this video, I'm

proper technique. In this video, I'm going to load up some real weight and push myself as hard as humanly possible.

still using good technique. If I don't hit any new PRs, maybe I'm past my peak.

If I hit PRs on all 25, that means I'm still making gains. Wish me luck. Okay,

in the number 25 spot, I've got the machine lap pullover. Actually just got this vintage Nautilus lat pullover machine from the '90s for the muscle lab, and I've been using it every week.

I absolutely love it. I had to include it as an iconic bodybuilding exercise for the lats popularized by six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates. It's one of the very few back exercises where you can

isolate the lats while still overloading it with some serious weight. I wish I could put it higher, but since most gyms don't have it, it's just squeaking in at the 25th spot. And that's PR number one.

Since this is still a new exercise for me, that was a pretty easy one.

>> Oh wow. Number 24, dumbbell shrugs.

These are making the top 25 because the upper traps have such a big impact on how muscular you look, yet they are often overlooked. And I really like the

often overlooked. And I really like the dumbbells here because they're so simple. You don't need to load up a

simple. You don't need to load up a barbell or a machine. Just grab a pair of dumbbells and start shrugging. 23.

Okay, we'll call it there. And I'm two for two on PRs. I got a little cheaty there at the end, but I'm still going to count it because I control the negative well enough. Number 23. I'm going with

well enough. Number 23. I'm going with the standing calf raise. The calves are the only muscle of the legs that you will always see in shorts. People

respect a set of well-developed calves.

Research shows that standing straight leg calf raises are significantly more effective than seated bent leg calf raises. So, these are my main go-to for

raises. So, these are my main go-to for calf gains.

Okay, that is another new PR. Super happy

about that. Number 22, dumbbell wrist curls and extensions. The forearms are kind of like the calves of the upper body. If you're wearing a t-shirt, your

body. If you're wearing a t-shirt, your forearms will always be visible and make it immediately obvious that you're a serious lifter. And dumbbells are my

serious lifter. And dumbbells are my go-to here. Since there's nothing to

go-to here. Since there's nothing to overthink, you just [music] grab a pair of dumbbells, brace your arm against a bench, and flex your wrist back and forth. 14. One more.

forth. 14. One more.

15.

[groaning] Wow.

Hey, let's go. I'm actually kind of excited about that one. I superset wrist curls with wrist extensions and knock out three sets of each in about five minutes. Man, it's crazy how like I

minutes. Man, it's crazy how like I actually just barely get the PR. All

right, number 21. Sticking with the theme of commonly neglected muscles that actually make a big difference, I've got neck curls and neck extensions. Just

like your calves and forearms, your neck will be visible in clothes. And a

bigger, thicker neck not only makes you look more jacked, it can also reduce headaches, prevent neck pain, and help you take a punch better. If you're new to it, do plate weighted neck [music] curls superseted with head harness neck

extensions twice a week for 10 to 15 reps and your neck will grow. Heavy

deadlifts and shrugs don't grow your neck. You need to train it directly. And

neck. You need to train it directly. And

[music] since most people don't, it usually grows very fast once you actually start hitting it.

>> Okay, I'm going to stop there. There's

no evidence that neck training causes sleep apnea, at least not in natural lifters. And more recent evidence

lifters. And more recent evidence suggests it's actually tongue fat that's the main issue.

Okay, I'm going to leave it there. I have not been training my neck. I don't just want to go for a PR. Okay, now we're into my top 20 exercises of all time. To get

into the top 20 is tough. These are all elite. Just making it in at number 20 is

elite. Just making it in at number 20 is the cable crunch. Cable crunches are one of the very few ab exercises that you can easily progressively overload by adding a little weight each week. And

just like any other muscle, your abs will get more developed the more you train them, leading to a more prominent six-pack once you're lean enough for it to pop through. [groaning]

Okay.

25 reps. I think the most I've ever done with the max stack on this machine is 20. So, it's a five rep. That's not bad.

20. So, it's a five rep. That's not bad.

Let's go. Okay. Number 19, the machine pec deck. For pec isolation, this one's

pec deck. For pec isolation, this one's tough to beat. You're locked in against this seat. So, you know that all the

this seat. So, you know that all the tension coming from this weight stack is going straight to your pecs. And since

your arms are externally rotated, your front delts are positioned up toward the ceiling out of the line of pull, while your pecs are positioned straight ahead,

perfectly aligned with the line of pull.

[panting] [laughter] Yeah, no shot. That was nine, though.

So, that's three reps over my [laughter] three reps over my previous PR, which is kind of insane, but I truly do think it's because I would normally go for that as my last set. But still, to get three reps, that's actually crazy.

Number 18, reverse pec deck for the rear delts. I do these to the side, but I

delts. I do these to the side, but I think a standard reverse pack deck is totally fine. And this way, you'll get

totally fine. And this way, you'll get about twice the range of motion, and all that extra ROM is coming in the lengthened aspect.

Okay.

Hey, I got it. One thing to keep in mind when setting a PR, your technique has to be the same. Otherwise, it doesn't count. Hopefully, you noticed that I was

count. Hopefully, you noticed that I was going just as slow on the negative as I normally would. Doesn't need to be super

normally would. Doesn't need to be super slow, but it has to be controlled. If

technique isn't consistent, the PR doesn't count. Okay, number 17, weighted

doesn't count. Okay, number 17, weighted dips. Dips are an incredible mass

dips. Dips are an incredible mass builder for the pecs, front delts, and triceps. They're amazing for progressive

triceps. They're amazing for progressive overload, and you can get a deeper range of motion than on presses. Once you can do five or 10 clean reps with body weight, gradually add a little weight each week using a belt. Now, the only

reason that they aren't ranked higher is that some people get cranky shoulders if they do them too often. If you ever feel some pinching, though, just try leaning forward a bit more and only go as deep

as feels comfortable on your shoulders.

Nope. So close. Darn.

Number 16, the Nautilus glute drive. If

you don't have this machine, a barbell hip thrust still does the trick, but I find the machine a lot more comfortable on my hips. This is one of the only ways to get a huge overloading stimulus for the glutius maximus without taxing the

quads. And there's a large pile of

quads. And there's a large pile of research demonstrating that the hip thrust is very effective for muscle growth. The only reason that it isn't

growth. The only reason that it isn't ranked higher is that a lot of gyms don't have this machine and many people do find the barbell less comfortable.

It's another one. Okay. In the number 15 spot, I've got the Beijian cable curl.

I'll admit, I do have a soft spot for this exercise. I've been doing it for

this exercise. I've been doing it for about 10 years now, and despite it being a lot more popular now than it was a decade ago, I still think it's underrated. It's the only exercise I'm

underrated. It's the only exercise I'm aware of where you get to train the biceps in such a long muscle length while keeping high tension throughout the range of motion.

[groaning] Let's go. Another PR. Let's go. All

Let's go. Another PR. Let's go. All

right, let's check in with the PR counter over here. I'm honestly super surprised that I've got this many PRs so far. It goes to show that if you just

far. It goes to show that if you just really lock in and motivate yourself, you might surprise yourself with what you can do. Okay, [music] in the number 14 spot, this will probably be a controversial one. I've got the

controversial one. I've got the deadlift. This is one of the most

deadlift. This is one of the most fundamental strength training exercises, and I really think it deserves to be in the top 20. It's a time-tested basic movement pattern that anyone with a barbell can do. [music] It's as raw as

it gets. You just pick some weight up

it gets. You just pick some weight up off the ground. And I truly think every beginner should learn how to do it.

[music] You can deadlift with a conventional stance or a sumo stance.

Both activate similar muscle patterns and both are fantastic for building strength and power. [music] Yes,

deadlifts cause a lot of fatigue. And

yes, deadlifts probably aren't the most optimal exercise for pure muscle growth.

But even if the deadlift doesn't need to be in every bodybuilding program, I still think it's a lift that everyone should learn and get strong on at least

once in their life. Okay, I'm going to end it there. My alltime deadlift PR is 545 lbs from back when I was competing powerlifting. I'm not focused on

powerlifting. I'm not focused on powerlifting right now. So, [music] I'm not even going to pretend like I'm going full throttle on that one. No PR on this one. At number 13, I've got the OP, also

one. At number 13, I've got the OP, also known as the overhead press. And similar

to the deadlift, even if it isn't the most optimal exercise for hypertrophy on paper, it's just such an important movement pattern that everyone should learn and get strong at at some point in their life. [music] If you've never

their life. [music] If you've never picked up a barbell and pressed it over your head, I don't think you're the best lifter that you can be. In fact, if there's any one lift that I'm most impressed by as a coach and as a lifter

myself, it's the OP because I know firsthand just how hard it is to progress on and how impressive it is when someone can nail it. [groaning]

No PR here either. Okay, number 12, the walking lunge. There isn't a lot of

walking lunge. There isn't a lot of research on lunges, but from my personal and my coaching experience, there's no exercise that crushes the glutes like lunges do. I can do one hard set of

lunges do. I can do one hard set of walking lunges and be sore for days. And

if you haven't done them in a while, do one hard set on your next leg day and you'll see what I mean. You can hit these Ronnie Coleman style with a barbell on your back, but I personally like dumbbells. Or if you don't want to

like dumbbells. Or if you don't want to take up the whole gym, you can do them stationary on a Smith machine. As long

as you're lunging under some decent weight, your glutes will grow. If you

want a little more glutes, do a wide lunge with a big step. If you want a little more quads, do shorter steps with more forward knee travel.

30.

Man, it's crazy. 24 was my best PR. The

last time I did dumbbell lunges, I just did 30. That's crazy. All right, number

did 30. That's crazy. All right, number 11. Here we go. Probably another hot

11. Here we go. Probably another hot take. Just outside the top 10 in the

take. Just outside the top 10 in the number 11 spot, I've got the bench press. I love the bench press. I

press. I love the bench press. I

actually do attribute most of my own pet development to just gradually building my way up to a 365 lb bench press at 165 lb body weight and a 390lb bench press

at 180 lb body weight. There's also

plenty of research showing a strong relationship between bench press strength and pec growth. Yeah, it may not be the most optimal for hypertrophy for everyone, but this is another one of those basic exercises that everyone

should try to get strong at at some point in their lifting career.

>> I'm cooked. No PR on that one. At least

once, you need to feel the satisfaction of loading some weight up on the bench press that you've never tried before and pressing it up and off your chest for a new PR. I think it's one of the most

new PR. I think it's one of the most gratifying experiences in the gym. Of

course, most people just spin their wheels on the bench press. They load up the same weight week after week and month after month and do it for their three sets of 10 or whatever. But to get a big bench, you need to be intentional

about it. That means tracking your lifts

about it. That means tracking your lifts from week to week. And officially, as of today, the best way to do that is using the new macroofactor workouts tab. Yes,

you can see a big difference by taking a slightly wider grip, getting nice and secure on the bench, tucking your shoulder blades down, and pressing the bar up and slightly back rather than just pressing it forward. But nothing

that you do will make as big of a difference as simply tracking your lifts and making sure that you're adding a little weight or a rep from week to week. You can do tracking the old school

week. You can do tracking the old school way with a notepad or you can use a notes app, but nothing will guarantee progress like macroofactor workouts. It

makes the logging process not only clean, simple, and organized, but also super motivating. Like let's say you

super motivating. Like let's say you benched 225 last week and this week you want to do 230. The app will show you exactly which plates you need to add without needing to think about it at all

beforehand and then logging it after your set is super fast. Most men should be able to bench press one time their body weight in their first year or two.

Most women should be able to bench press half their body weight in year [music] one. And this is the best part about the

one. And this is the best part about the app. It isn't just a tracker. It'll

app. It isn't just a tracker. It'll

actually coach you to your specific goal using science-based algorithms. All [music] you need to do is fill out your starting information and your goals and the app will generate a program specifically for you. Then it'll update

that program every week based on your progress just like a coach would, but for a tiny fraction of the cost. Every

exercise comes with a video demo from me. We actually filmed over 500 exercise

me. We actually filmed over 500 exercise demos specifically for the app. And it's

the only app where you can log partial reps, drop sets, supersets, and check your volume analytics and your progress over time with super helpful visuals, charts, and graphics. If you're a MacroFactor nutrition app user, the two

apps will sync together seamlessly. And

if you're one of the users of my programs, you can load those into the app. So, you can download a free twoe

app. So, you can download a free twoe trial of the new MacroFactor workouts app at the first link in the description box below or [music] by scanning this QR code over here next to my head. Just use

code Jeff when you download and that'll get you 2 weeks for free. Okay, now

we're into my top 10 exercises of all time. So, up to here, the list was kind

time. So, up to here, the list was kind of a mix of some personal hypertrophy favorites and some [music] basic fundamentals. My top 10 exercises are

fundamentals. My top 10 exercises are the 10 exercises I think you should do if you can only do 10. So, if someone says, "I can only do 10 exercises. Which

10 should I do?" These are the 10. All

right. Coming in at the number 10 spot, I've got the seated leg curl. The

hamstrings make up about 40% of your thigh mass, and they're a lot more important for reducing knee pain and promoting knee joint health than many [music] realize. Training them directly

[music] realize. Training them directly is huge. Also, this 12-week training

is huge. Also, this 12-week training study found about 50% more hamstrings growth with seated leg curls than lying leg curls. Now, if you don't have a

leg curls. Now, if you don't have a seated leg curl machine, lying leg curls definitely still get the job done. Or

you can do Nordic ham curls. No shot.

Okay, number nine, the leg extension.

This one is ranked so highly because it really is the easiest, most accessible way to isolate your quads. And contrary

to popular belief, some recent anatomy research suggests that the quads are the biggest muscle in the human body, bigger than the glutes or the lats, they deserve some special attention. Now,

sure, you could do reverse Nordics or squats, and I think they're both great options, but a lot of trainee do find them awkward, less stable, and trickier to overload than the tried andrue leg extension, which most gyms

are going to have. If you set the seat back, you can smash the big long rectus forous head of the quads better than any compound exercise, including squats. And

I've been doing leg extensions twice [music] a week for more than a decade.

Plus, research shows they're perfectly safe for your knees. Just make sure you warm up and don't use weights that you can't move with good form.

Nine. That's a two rep PR. Nice. The

number eight spot, I've got the overhead cable triceps extension. This may seem like a high ranking for a triceps isolation exercise, but I have good reason for it. First of all, unlike dips or the bench press, you can get a huge

tricep stimulus here without taxing your chest, delts, or core. And research from May and colleagues showed that when compared to press downs, overhead extensions caused about 40% more overall

triceps growth across 12 weeks. That

probably has something to do with the fact that the long head of the triceps will be more lengthened in that overhead position.

Okay, number seven is the preacher curl.

Most guys want bigger biceps. They're a

legit show muscle. And if I had to pick just one biceps exercise these days, this would be it. They're easier to do and harder to mess up than the Beijian curl. And even though there isn't as

curl. And even though there isn't as much of a stretch on the biceps at the beginning, because of the angle of the bench, you get super high tension from the very start where the biceps will still be quite lengthened. And then

because you're braced and locked in against the bench, it's virtually impossible to cheat. If you're getting stronger in the 6 to 12 rep range on the preacher curl, over time, your biceps,

brachiialis, and brachi radiialis are getting bigger. No question.

getting bigger. No question.

Close. So close. Number six. Here we go.

The lateral raise. The side delts might be the single most important muscle from a bodybuilding aesthetic standpoint because from the front and from the rear, they create that broad shouldered X-frame appearance. And while they will

X-frame appearance. And while they will get worked on presses, they can take a backseat to the [music] front delts. So,

I think isolating them is crucial. You

can do that with dumbbells, machines, or cables. Research suggests that they all

cables. Research suggests that they all seem to work similarly well. I

personally prefer cables, though, specifically with a high handle position because it'll provide more tension on the delts while they're in a more lengthened position. Also, with cables,

lengthened position. Also, with cables, you get this nice even smooth tension throughout the range of motion, which I find helps me connect with my side delts better than dumbbells. Either way, as long as you're pushing them hard, you're

going to get a lot of bang for your buck out of lateral raises.

Hey, let's go. Okay, let's get into the top five. Again, if you can only do five

top five. Again, if you can only do five exercises across your entire lifting career, these are the five I'm picking.

And I've hit this many PRs in the video so far, you've only got five exercises left. Hopefully, I'll hit at least one

left. Hopefully, I'll hit at least one more. All right, coming in at the number

more. All right, coming in at the number five spot, I've got the chest supported T-R. I think any horizontal row could be

T-R. I think any horizontal row could be inserted here. But this is my personal

inserted here. But this is my personal favorite for the midback because your chest is braced so your lower back won't be a limiting factor. The chest support also prevents cheating. So if you're adding a little weight over time for the

same reps with the same form, rest assured your back is growing. Doing

these as keelso shrugs are also great, especially as you get more advanced. But

I think when you're starting out, get strong on some good old T- bar rows first. Then you can start playing around

first. Then you can start playing around with keels. If you don't have a T- bar,

with keels. If you don't have a T- bar, any chest supported row machine will work fine. Or you can use dumbbells

work fine. Or you can use dumbbells against an incline bench. Row with your elbows at a roughly 45° angle and you'll get a nice mix of mid traps, romboids, lats, and rear delts. I think that was

nine. Let's go.

nine. Let's go.

>> Okay, in the number four spot, I'm going with the Romanian deadlift. I think

every training program needs a hinge-based exercise where you basically bend forward on the negative and then extend your hips on the positive. That

can be a conventional deadlift, 45°ree back extension, good morning, and so on.

But I really like the Romanian deadlift the best. I prefer it over the

the best. I prefer it over the conventional deadlift because it's much less fatiguing for the same or perhaps even greater stimulus on your glutes, hamstrings, and spinal erectors. I

prefer it over the 45°ree back extension because it's a lot easier to overload.

And I prefer it over the good morning because it's easier to learn and feel smoother. Regardless, if you don't have

smoother. Regardless, if you don't have a basic hip hinge movement in your program that you're gradually getting stronger [music] on, you're definitely leaving some gains on the table.

Okay, I'm going there. That's eight.

Okay, in third place, my number three exercise of all time, I'm going with the incline bench press. This is my go-to pressing movement because it gives you the best of a vertical press and a

horizontal press with just one exercise.

You get the delta activation of a shoulder press with the pec activation of a flat bench press. In fact, some research shows that you get more upper pec growth with the incline press

without sacrificing any gains in the mid or lower pecs. All you need is an adjustable bench, a rack, and a barbell.

I've been doing these on the Smith machine lately, just adding a little weight each week in the 6 to 8 rep range. Most studies use around a 45°ree

range. Most studies use around a 45°ree incline, but anything in the 20 to 45°ree incline zone will work great.

Just find an angle that feels good for you, stick to it, and get gradually stronger at that incline before switching it up. You can do a swap for dumbbells or a machine. As long as you're pushing hard, you'll see similar

gains.

Okay, let's rock it. Uh, yeah, not today. [laughter]

today. [laughter] After doing dips and like other presses, I I just don't have it in me right now.

In second place, my number two exercise of all time, I'm going with the pull-up.

Over the last year, I've built my way up to body weight plus 75 lbs for six clean reps on pull-ups, and I truly believe my back is looking the best it ever has.

That's obviously just my N equals 1 anecdote, so it isn't worth a whole lot.

But I do think that if I was doing pull downs instead of pull-ups, I'd be a lot less diligent and motivated to actually progressively overload. I actually get

progressively overload. I actually get super motivated when I hit a new pull-up PR. But I'm not going to lie, I really

PR. But I'm not going to lie, I really couldn't care less about a PR on a lat pull down. That said, as long as you are

pull down. That said, as long as you are progressively overloading, I think pull downs or pull-ups are both great options here. I personally do both. But I will

here. I personally do both. But I will say pull-ups have a few upsides. You

can't really fake a pull-up. You can

either do it or you can't. You can fake a lat pull down, though. Pull-ups also

are more accessible than pull downs. All

you need is a bar to hang from and your own body weight. And if you can't do a full bodyweight pull-up yet, there's absolutely no shame in starting with assistance. Most people will need to.

assistance. Most people will need to.

And then once you can hit eight to 10 clean body weight pull-ups, use a belt to start adding some weight.

All right, I'm going to count that as seven. That's pretty ugly, but And in

seven. That's pretty ugly, but And in case you missed it, last year I updated my back tier list to put pull-ups in S tier alongside pull downs. I think

they're both amazing. Okay, and here is my number one exercise. This means if you said to me, "I only have time to do one exercise. Which one should I do?"

one exercise. Which one should I do?"

What I would tell you is that you should do a squat. MRI research shows that more than half of your body's muscle mass is in your legs. Roughly 55% in men and 58%

in women. So, simply based on muscle

in women. So, simply based on muscle mass distribution, I think the number one exercise should be a lower body one.

That said, squats will build up back strength and total body power, too.

There's a reason why powerlifters always notice that if they get stronger on the squat, their deadlift goes up too, even if they aren't deadlifting. But the same doesn't work in reverse. As I see it,

the squat is the king of all exercises.

I don't think there's one best way to squat, though, at least not for muscle growth. I like the pendulum squat the

growth. I like the pendulum squat the best at the moment. But Smith machine squats, hack squats, Bulgarian split squats, they're all so good. You get

high tension in that deep squat position where the quads and the glutes are both stretched and need to fire the hardest.

They're super conducive to progressive overload as long as you're tracking.

They get you massive gym cred. Now, it's

not a perfect exercise. I don't think any exercise is on its own. It doesn't

hit the hamstrings well, for example.

And it doesn't hit the rectus feorous head of the quads as well as leg extensions do. But those gaps are really

extensions do. But those gaps are really easy to fill. And I don't know, even if all you did was squat week in and week out, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you would build a very

impressive set of wheels.

Okay, you know what?

My all-time PR on the squat is 500 lb.

And I did that at Canadian Nationals when I was powerlifting. And I know my limits on this exercise, so I think I'm going to leave it there. No PR on this one either. That was a lot of fun,

one either. That was a lot of fun, though. If you want to take your

though. If you want to take your training to the next level this year, download MacroFactor. The nutrition app

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That'll get you 2 weeks for free. All

right, that's it for this one, guys.

Thank you so much for watching. Don't

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