12 Exercises That Start With O

Are you tired of the same old exercises and looking for a fresh and exciting way to challenge your body?

Look no further! This article introduces you to 12 amazing exercises that start with the letter “O”.

These exercises not only add variety to your workout routine, but also offer numerous benefits such as improving your strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into this article and explore how these exercises can help you transform your workouts.

1. Overhead Press

The overhead press is a fantastic compound exercise that works your shoulders, triceps, and upper back.

You can use a barbell, dumbbells, or resistance bands for this exercise – choose what works best for you.

Regardless of the equipment, there are some essential tips to ensure proper form and safety.

Incorporating the overhead press into your strength training routine can provide numerous health benefits.

This exercise can help improve your shoulder strength and stabilize your core, all while contributing to your cardiovascular health due to its intensity.

The ideal frequency for incorporating the overhead press into your workout program will depend on your individual goals, but a common recommendation is to aim for 2-3 sessions per week.

Remember to start light and gradually increase weight as you become more comfortable with the movement.

Your dedication to mastering the overhead press will lead to lasting improvements in your overall fitness and health.

2. One-Arm Pushup

The one-arm pushup is a powerful bodyweight exercise that demands more from your muscles than the standard two-armed version.

This advanced pushup variation primarily targets the pectoral muscles and triceps, but it also engages your core and lower body to maintain balance.

The muscle engagement during this exercise leads to superior strength gains and improved body awareness.

Starting in a regular pushup position, you shift your weight onto one arm while extending the other out to the side. It’s critical to keep your form tight; don’t allow your hips or shoulders to sag.

As you lower toward the ground, breathe in deeply, then forcefully exhale as you push back up.

Getting proficient at one-arm pushups opens up even greater challenges for fitness enthusiasts looking for an intense workout.

You can transition into performing a one-arm, one-leg variant by lifting the opposite leg off of the ground during each rep.

So, if you’re looking to add a challenging and effective upper-body exercise to your fitness routine, give the one-arm pushup a try.

With persistence and practice, you’ll soon see improvements in your strength, stability, and overall confidence in your exercise program.

3. Offset Single-Arm Chest Press

If you’re looking for an exercise that not only strengthens your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core, but also improves your balance and posture?

The offset single-arm chest press is perfect for you! As a unilateral exercise, it helps address muscle imbalances by working one side of your body at a time.

To perform this exercise, you’ll need a bench and a dumbbell. Lie down on the bench with your feet flat on the floor for stability.

Hold the dumbbell in one hand at chest level, making sure your grip is strong. Your other hand can be extended overhead or resting on the bench for support.

Now, with your shoulders down and back, press the dumbbell up in a straight line until your arm is fully extended. Make sure to exhale as you push the weight up.

Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position while inhaling. After completing a set, switch sides and repeat the process with the other arm.

When it comes to the offset single-arm chest press, proper form and safety should always be a priority. Keep your core engaged and maintain a neutral spine throughout the entire exercise.

By doing so, you’ll be able to support your upper body better and avoid potential injuries.

4. Oblique Crunches

Oblique crunches are an isolation exercise that targets the side abdominal muscles, primarily your obliques.

They help strengthen your core, which is essential for balance and stability in various physical activities.

To perform oblique crunches, lay on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Place your hands on the back of your head, but do not interlace your fingers.

Engage your abs as you lift your head, neck, and chest, bringing one elbow towards the opposite knee. Be mindful of keeping your neck neutral and exhaling as you crunch.

This will prevent strain on your neck and allow your core muscles to get the most out of the exercise.

While doing oblique crunches, avoid pulling on your head, as this can cause unnecessary strain on your neck.

Instead, focus on using your core muscles to lift you during the crunching motion. Maintaining proper form and safety will ensure maximum benefits from the exercise while reducing the risk of injuries.

5. Overhead Tricep Stretch

Who doesn’t want to improve their triceps flexibility and reduce stress?

The overhead tricep stretch is a fun, free exercise that targets those triceps and shoulders, perfect for increasing flexibility and range of motion arm.

To begin, raise one arm overhead and bend it at the elbow behind your head. Gently pull the elbow down and use your other hand. Ensure your head stays upright and your shoulders are relaxed.

Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds, feeling the stretch in your triceps. Don’t worry if your heart rate doesn’t increase during this stretch; it’s meant to provide flexibility and relaxation.

Maintaining proper posture is key when performing the overhead tricep stretch. Keep your shoulder blades down and back, and avoid arching your lower back.

By following proper form, you’ll ensure the stretch’s effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury.

To add some variety to your overhead tricep stretch, try incorporating a towel, strap, or even a barbell for added resistance.

Playing around with standing or sitting positions can also create variety and keep the exercise fresh and engaging.

To reap the full benefits of the overhead tricep stretch, be consistent with your practice, and you’ll notice an improvement in your overall flexibility and posture.

This exercise can help relieve stress and even give your metabolism a slight boost by promoting muscle health. So, go ahead and stretch it out!

6. One-Legged Deadlift

The one-legged deadlift is a hinge exercise that does wonders for your hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and core.

This exercise also helps improve your balance and overall lower body strength.

First, stand on one leg with a slight bend in the knee. Hold a weight, such as a dumbbell or kettlebell, in one or both hands in front of you.

With your back flat and hips square, hinge at your hips, lowering the weight towards the floor while raising your other leg behind you. Make sure to keep the weight close to your body throughout the movement.

As you lower the weight, it’s essential to maintain proper form and safety. Ensure your back stays flat, and avoid rounding as this can lead to injuries.

Your hips should remain square to the floor, avoiding unnecessary twisting or rotating during the movement. Remember, slow and steady wins the race, especially when learning a new exercise!

One great thing about the one-legged deadlift is the variety of variations you can try.

For example, you can use a kettlebell for added resistance or incorporate a resistance band to target different muscles.

Feel free to experiment and discover which method works best for your fitness level and goals.

7. Overhead Triceps Extensions

Overhead triceps extensions are an isolation exercise that targets the triceps, particularly the long head. This workout helps you tone your arms and improve your upper body strength.

To do the overhead tricep extension, you can use a dumbbell or resistance band. Hold it with both hands behind your head, with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle.

Next, extend your arms straight up over your head while squeezing your triceps. Finally, lower your arms back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout the movement.

You should perform the exercise one arm at a time to increase the intensity and focus on each side individually.

Try different grips (such as a reverse grip) to further activate your triceps and deltoids.

Change your stance, such as by standing or sitting, for variety and to work your stabilizing muscles in different ways.

Good luck on your fitness journey and have fun incorporating overhead tricep extensions into your routine.

8. Offset Dumbbell Squat

The offset dumbbell squat is a squat variation that challenges your balance, stability, and core by holding a dumbbell on one side of your body.

This exercise enhances your flexibility, lower body strength, and posture.

To perform an offset dumbbell squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in one hand at shoulder level, keeping your core engaged and your chest up.

Now, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor, ensuring your knees stay in line with your toes. As you push back up, focus on distributing your weight evenly and maintaining proper form.

Also, you can swap the dumbbell for a kettlebell or medicine ball for a different challenge.

Incorporate the offset dumbbell squat into your strength training routine, aiming for 3 sets of 8-12 reps, adjusting the weight as needed.

By practicing this exercise regularly, you’ll increase your lower body power, improve your eccentric control, and boost your overall stability. Give it a try and experience the benefits for yourself.

9. Oblique Side Bends

Oblique side bends are an isolation exercise that targets your oblique muscles by bending your torso from side to side.

This exercise not only helps to tone your obliques but also helps improve core strength, stability, and posture.

To perform oblique side bends, stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a weight in one hand at your side.

Next, bend to the same side as the weight until you feel a stretch in your opposite oblique. Return to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of sets and repetitions.

When doing oblique side bends, it’s vital to maintain proper form and safety. Keep your back straight, your head aligned with your spine, and your shoulders relaxed.

Don’t rush through the movement, focus on controlled motion and engaging your core.

Even yoga practitioners incorporate side bends to help maintain flexibility and target the oblique muscles.

Aim to incorporate oblique side bends into your workouts about two to three times a week to see results without overtaxing your muscles.

So, give oblique side bends a try and watch as your abdominals become more toned and your core strength improves.

10. One-Arm Dumbbell Row

The one-arm dumbbell row is a fantastic pulling exercise that works your back, biceps, and rear deltoids.

It targets your upper back, specifically the rhomboids and lower back muscles, which play an important role in shoulder stability.

To perform the one-arm dumbbell row, start by placing one knee and the same-side hand on a bench for support.

Hold a dumbbell in your other hand, allowing your arm to hang straight down. Keep your back flat and core engaged throughout the exercise. Begin by pulling the dumbbell up to your side, keeping your elbow close to your body.

Once the dumbbell reaches your side, lower it back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Go for the desired number of repetitions, and then switch to the other side.

Feel free to explore some variations of the one-arm dumbbell row. Try using a kettlebell or a resistance band for different resistance options.

Experiment with different grips or angles—perhaps by using an underhand grip or slightly changing the rowing angle—to target specific muscle groups.

You can also add a rotation or a pause at the top of the row to increase the challenge and improve your flexibility.

This versatile exercise offers a plethora of benefits and can help you develop strength, stability, and flexibility in your upper body.

With proper form, intensity, and a well-planned routine incorporating sets and repetitions, you can effectively target your back, biceps, and shoulders with the one-arm dumbbell row.

11. Overhead Squat

The overhead squat is a compound exercise that targets your legs, core, shoulders, and upper back.

This versatile movement incorporates squatting while holding a weight above your head, which can seriously challenge your balance and overall strength.

This exercise is excellent for your lower body, including your quads, glutes, calves, and even your posture.

To perform an overhead squat, choose your desired weight equipment—such as a barbell, dumbbells, or resistance bands.

Hold the weight overhead with your arms locked out and slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

Keep your chest up and your core tight as you squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or lower. Then, push through your heels and stand back up.

You can experiment with different stances (such as a narrow or wide stance) and squat depths

Integrate a press or a snatch into the movement to increase the challenge and incorporate more muscle groups.

In summary, the overhead squat is a valuable addition to your strength training program.

With proper form and a focus on balance, you’ll see improvements in your lower body strength, as well as your core stability and posture.

12. Overhead Lunges

Overhead lunges are a fantastic lunge variation that targets your legs, core, shoulders, and upper back.

By holding a weight overhead while performing a lunge, you increase the intensity and work multiple muscle groups for improved lower body mobility and endurance.

To perform overhead lunges, you can use a barbell, dumbbells, or resistance bands. Start by holding the weight overhead with your arms locked out and slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

Step forward with one leg and lower your back knee until it almost touches the floor.

Keep your chest up, core tight, and front knee behind your toes. Then, push back to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

There are several variations of overhead lunges that you can try to keep your workouts interesting and challenging.

You could perform the exercise with one arm at a time or experiment with different step lengths or directions.

Adding a twist or a curl to the movement can also engage additional muscle groups and enhance your workout.

Conclusion

So, now you have a solid list of 12 exercises that start with “O” to spice up your workouts.

By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you can target different muscle groups, increase your strength, and challenge your body in new ways.

Remember to always prioritize proper form and technique when trying out new exercises. This will not only ensure your safety but also help you get the most out of each movement.

Don’t be afraid to start slow and build up as you become more comfortable and confident with each exercise.

Incorporating these “O” exercises is a fantastic way to keep your workouts fresh and engaging.

Whether you’re targeting your upper body or lower body, these exercises offer versatility, and with consistent practice, you’ll undoubtedly see improvements in your overall fitness.

Happy exercising!