There are a lot of ways to sort and categorize different types of exercises.
One surprising way is by using the alphabet!
In this article, let’s compile a list of exercises that start with the letter E.
Some of the best exercises that start with E are:
- Eagle pose
- Eccentric exercises
- Easy pose
- Elevated squats
- Explosive pushup
- Elliptical
- And elevated glute bridge
Many of the exercises that begin with the letter “E” are advanced variations of basic exercises that require you to elevate your body or use the eccentric movement to help build your muscles through the negative or lengthening phase of the lift/movement.
Switching up your position or phase of work will provide you with a new workout challenge.
1. Eagle Pose
This yoga pose targets a number of untouched muscle groups, while helping to relieve lower back pain and improving balance, concentration and blood flow.
How To
Begin standing upright with your hands at your sides,
As you inhale, slowly raise your left foot off the floor and place it over the right leg, just above the knee, resting the back of your left thigh on the front of your right leg.
Focus on maintaining your balance.
Twist your left foot behind your right calf so that your opposite shin and calf are touching and your left foot (ideally your big toe) hooks slightly above the right ankle, essentially locking your legs together.
Bending your elbows, bring your arms to chest height. Place your right elbow on the front of your left upper arm. Slide the right hand back to the left and vice versa, locking your arms around each other.
Slowly drop your hips down into a half squat position, while you focus your gaze in front of you. Maintain this pose for 5-6 slow deep breaths. Slowly stand up, unwind and repeat on the opposite side.
Muscles Worked
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
- Hips
- Upper Back
- Shoulders
- Calves
2. Eccentric Exercises
As opposed to the regular concentric phase of training, eccentric training works on lengthening the muscle.
Regardless of the exercise or muscle group you are working on, eccentric training helps to improve balance and muscle coordination, increase strength through the entire range of motion and rehab injured tendons.
How To
*For this example we will be using a basic dumbbell curl
With your elbows directly in line with your shoulders, begin the exercise by performing a regular dumbbell curl, raising the weight through the concentric phase.
After reaching the peak of your lift, slowly begin to lower the dumbbells, resisting letting gravity accelerate the downward motion.
Consider using a five second count for the eccentric (downward) phase
Muscles Worked
- Biceps
- Forearm Flexors
3. Easy Pose
Although the name makes it sound easy, the traditional Sukhasana pose is anything but for some people. For those who suffer from tight hips and sore knees, which can halt you from crossing your legs or an inability to sit still in a meditative state, this pose can be a challenge.
However, for those who sit at a desk for many hours a day, this exercise is perfect for you.
How To
Begin sitting on your mat with your feet straight out in front of you and then bend your knees so that you move into sitting cross legged.
Maintain a neutral position with your pelvis, do not allow it to tilt one way or the other.
Keep a straight back, lengthening your tailbone and upper torso. Relax your shoulders, keeping them aligned with your hips.
You may choose to place your hands palms down on your knees or stack them on top of each other palms up inside your lap
Slowly inhale and exhale. Take time to distance yourself from the mental and physical stresses and strains of life.
Muscles Worked
- Back
- Knees
- Ankles
- Hips
- Groin
- Outer Thigh
- Abdominals
4. Elevated Squats
An advanced variation of regular back squats, however rather than targeting your glutes and hamstrings, you are now better focusing on your quads.
How To
If your gym does not have a sloped platform (most don’t), you can use barbell weight plates.
Position your heels on the weight plates, with the rest of your feet flat on the floor
Remove the barbell from the squat rack as you would a regular back squat. Alternatively, you can also use dumbbells, a kettlebell or bodyweight.
If you are using just your bodyweight or light weights it is ok to step onto the elevated platform after picking it up. If you are squatting with a heavy weight it is best to have the platform under your heels already
Make sure you start the exercise with your feet hip-width apart, core engaged with your chest and torso upright.
As you shoot your hips back, maintain a flat back with your chest out while bending your knees, lowering your body to the ground until your thighs are parallel with the floor.
Following a slight pause, push into your heels as you return to your starting standing position
Muscles Worked
- Glutes
- Quads
- Hamstrings
- Abductors
- Adductors
- Calves
- Lower Back
- Abdominals
- Trapezius
- Rhomboids
5. Explosive Pushup
If regular push ups aren’t enough for you, feel free to challenge yourself to add explosive push ups (sometimes referred to as a plyometric pushup) to your workout.
Not only do they increase muscular endurance and core stabilization, but they also improve your fast twitch muscle fibers and pressing power.
How To
Being with a traditional push-up position, with your hands slightly outside of shoulder width.
Lower your body in a straight line until your chest almost touches the floor.
Explode upward so that your hands come off the floor. Land with your arms extended, but do not have your elbows locked (have a slight bend) as you want to cushion your landing.
If you want to advance this move even more, you can add a handclap as you explode out of the pushup.
Muscles Worked
- Deltoids
- Triceps
- Pectorals
- Abdomials
- Serratus Anterior
- Forearms
6. Elliptical
An alternative to the pounding of an outdoor or treadmill run, the elliptical, which blends together a stair climber, bicycle and cross-country ski machine, provides you with a full body cardio workout that helps improve endurance, muscle tone and weight loss.
How To
In order to activate the elliptical monitor, start pushing the pedals forward, while pulling the handles in rhythm.
Ellipticals come with pre-set workouts for various cardio and muscle building challenges or you can program a manual workout.
You can alter the pedaling and handle resistance during your workout using the control panel.
It is important to maintain good posture while using the elliptical, keeping your chest and head upright.
Moving in a forward motion will target your glutes and hamstrings, while moving in reverse focuses more on your quads and calves
Muscles Worked
- Glutes
- Quads
- Hamstrings
- Calves
- Anterior Tibialis
- Core
- Triceps
- Biceps
- Shoulders
7. Elevated Glute Bridge
If the basic glute bridge is too easy or has become boring, elevating your feet can provide a new challenge that will help to increase your glute strength, tone your booty and improve your speed and power.
How To
Begin lying on your back with your feet placed hip width apart on a bench or box. Your feet can either rest on the edge of the bench or have your heels on top.
With your core engaged, begin your glute bridge by elevating your hips as you squeeze your glutes and push through your heels. Focus on keeping your weight in the heels and midfoot. Point your toes downward to help with stability.
Drive your hips upward until your shoulders, hips and knees form a straight line. Squeeze your glutes at the top of your lift.
Slowly lower your body to the ground and repeat.
Muscles Worked
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
- Transverse Abdominis
- Lower Back
Wrapping Up
Although the list of exercises that start with the letter “E” seems minimal compared to the first four letters we have covered, they are still great to add to your workout, whether it is a yoga pose or an advanced elevated or eccentric variation of an exercise (of which there are plenty for you to choose from and incorporate into your routine).
How can you use this list? Some people love the challenge of an alphabet workout, where they complete one exercise from each letter of the alphabet.
Are you game?
For more, check out:
- Exercises that start with A
- Exercises that start with B
- Exercises that start with C
- Exercises that start with D
- Exercises that start with F
Hope this helps!