I'll agree with "movie shorthand." I've occasionally seen some funky positions to show off badass-ery or how hard a character is working*, but there's a general trend to show the exercises that are instantly recognizable as hard. Exercises that are difficult/important, but not impressive looking, don't make the cut.
*(Ethan Hawke's hanging sit-ups in Gattaca comes to mind.)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-07-23 03:27 pm (UTC)*(Ethan Hawke's hanging sit-ups in Gattaca comes to mind.)