Although contemporary bodybuilding has developed to be a complex and highly specialized sport, there are some basic exercises that characterize any body building exercise session. What defers among deferent bodybuiders is the severity and or weight size used during these basic exercises.

Each exercise involves one part of the body, though most end up incorporating the whole body. The basic body building exercises include the following six:

1. The Back

The bodybuilder's back is often ignored despite being the biggest and most extensive muscle in the body. The back is basically divided into the upper, the lower and the sides. To build the upper back, the best exercises are the lateral pull downs alternated with seated pulley rows. To build the lower back frequent superman stretches are adequate. Superman stretches should be done lying down on the stomach while the hands and the legs are stretched out straight. Finally, to consistently build the sides of the back to the extent in which they adopt a V-shape, chins and pull downs are the most optimal exercises.

2. The Arms

The exercises involving and developing the arms can be grouped into 3 distinct areas: the biceps, the forearms and the triceps. Body exercises for building the biceps are mainly curls. On the other hand, the triceps are generally the biggest muscles in the arm and yet often one of the least exercised muscles in the athlete's body. To build power and compact triceps, bodybuilders should adopt regular triceps pushdowns and lying extensions in the training schedule. Dips are very good triceps building exercises, which doubles up as chest exercises as well. To build and develop the forearms, regular wrist curls exercises are adequate

3. The Chest

Regarded as the most crucial and even attractive body part if well developed, the chest is often the most worked during exercises. Chest exercises are prime and favorite concerns for all bodybuilders. A human chest has two basic parts, called the higher and lower chest.

To develop muscles on both parts of the chest, bench presses are the best exercises. However, athletes should adopt variations to the bench press exercises. The best variations are the flat bench presses, alternated by the incline press and decline press work. A well coordinated set of these presses develop muscles in the uppers and lower chest. Another useful exercise to develop the chest muscles is the fly.

4. The Shoulders

In bodybuilding, shoulders often are the most difficult and unpleasant muscles to exercise or train. However persistent exercises especially shoulder presses and shoulder shrugs, helps remove this dominant rigidity. While doing the shrugs athletes should use progressive heavy weights so as to help the shoulders in developing packed muscle rims.

5. The Legs

A body builder's legs have 3 distinct muscles namely: calves, quadriceps and hamstrings. To build the quadriceps, speed squats are the best and simplest exercises. To build packed hamstrings, leg curls combined with stiff-legged dead lifts are adequate. The calves can best be exercised by calf raises while the athlete is both standing and sitting.

6. The Abs

Abs are the single body parts that take the longest time to build. Packed abs are best built by squeezing exercises. However, muscle gains on the upper abs mostly result from crunches. For the lower abs, rhythmic pelvic tilts are very effective while quick far reaching side bends develop the sides or what is commonly called the obliques.