Tony Atlas, a professional wrestler and bodybuilder, is known for his impressive physique and strength. His favorite exercises likely centered on building size and power, as well as developing a well-proportioned physique. While Tony Atlas himself hasn’t publicly shared a specific list of his favorite exercises, based on his training goals and the bodybuilding trends of his era, some exercises he probably emphasized include:
Upper Body:
1. Bench Press: For developing chest strength and size.
2. Incline Bench Press: To target the upper chest.
3. Military Press: For building massive shoulders.
4. Pull-Ups or Lat Pulldowns: For developing wide, V-shaped lats.
5. Barbell Rows: To add thickness to the back.
6. Bicep Curls (Barbell or Dumbbell): To create peak biceps.
Lower Body:
1. Squats: A staple for leg development and overall strength.
2. Deadlifts: For building a strong posterior chain (back, glutes, hamstrings).
3. Leg Press: To target the quads without the strain of squatting.
4. Lunges: For leg symmetry and stability.
Core:
1. Hanging Leg Raises: For lower abdominal strength.
2. Crunches: To sculpt the upper abs.
Arms and Isolation:
1. Tricep Dips: For building the triceps.
2. Dumbbell Flyes: To isolate the chest.
3. Lateral Raises: For well-rounded shoulders.
Tony Atlas likely combined these exercises with high-volume training and heavy weights, given the bodybuilding style of the 1970s and 1980s. He also incorporated proper nutrition and cardio to maintain his muscular, lean physique.