Accessory Work
Supplementary exercises that support and enhance the main lifts.
Updated
Accessory exercises support your main lifts by strengthening weak points, building muscle, and preventing imbalances. They typically include isolation movements and variations of main lifts. For example, tricep work supports bench press, and hamstring work supports deadlifts. Accessories follow main lifts in a well-structured program.
Examples
- Tricep pushdowns to support bench press
- Romanian deadlifts to support deadlifts
- Face pulls for shoulder health
Related Terms
Compound exercises
Put this into practice with exercises from the library.
Air Bike
Strength · Bodyweight
Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound
Plyometrics · None
Alternating Cable Shoulder Press
Strength · Cable
Alternating Floor Press
Strength · Kettlebells
Alternating Hang Clean
Strength · Kettlebells
Alternating Kettlebell Press
Strength · Kettlebells
Alternating Renegade Row
Strength · Kettlebells
Anti-Gravity Press
Strength · Barbell
Common questions
What is Accessory Work?
Supplementary exercises that support and enhance the main lifts. Accessory exercises support your main lifts by strengthening weak points, building muscle, and preventing imbalances.
What exercises train the Accessory Work?
Good options include Air Bike, Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound, Alternating Cable Shoulder Press, Alternating Floor Press, Alternating Hang Clean. Each links to a step-by-step guide with demonstration images.
What are examples of Accessory Work?
Tricep pushdowns to support bench press; Romanian deadlifts to support deadlifts; Face pulls for shoulder health.
Put it into practice
12-Week Muscle Building · £29
A 12-week, four-day hypertrophy plan in three phases, with a modest calorie surplus