If you have a busy schedule with limited time for exercise (and who doesn’t?), you need to find a way to maximize your workouts, so you get the most effect from each move, and see the highest array of benefits from each minute of your routine.
One of the most effective ways to maximize your workout is to use compound moves, sometimes also referred to as compound training or combination moves.
Understanding compound moves
Compound moves are multi-joint exercises that involve several muscles or group of muscles all at the same time. By contrast, isolation exercises specifically focus on one muscle or muscle group at a time.
Benefits of the compound approach
Compound exercises help you burn more calories in a shorter period of time. They are also a great way to get a good full-body workout, while improving your overall fitness, balance and coordination. In addition, there are a variety of cardio benefits to this approach, and this may allow you to work out for a longer period of time before you get tired and need a break.
For athletes especially, compound training is often recommended because it builds overall strength more closely replicates real-world movements. This means a routine like this will better prepare you for the demands your body will face during actual competition or everyday activities.
Things to consider
Some of the most popular types of compound moves include squats, lunges and kettlebell swings. These and other compound moves build the most muscle mass and are also one of the best ways to increase strength quickly. Not surprisingly, though, they are also extremely challenging and can really sap your energy. So it’s important that you plan them strategically and execute them correctly, or you will just be left exhausted without enjoying the payoff.
As with anything else in your fitness strategy, your goals will play a big role in helping you to plan your compound-based workouts. The specific moves and combinations that are best for you will depend on whether your main priority is strength, speed, power, endurance or a combination of several of these.
Of course, if you are trying to develop one particular area or are hoping to regain strength in a specific muscle area after an injury, you might want to use a combination of compound moves and isolation exercises.
Choosing the right gym equipment can help make compound exercises easier. To learn about home gym equipment for your Phoenix area home, contact Fitness 4 Home Superstore.
