10 Jan 2019
Well, obviously, if you want to be a better you all over rather than just a better bicep or thigh, you want exercises that give you a complete workout.
You want exercises that get ALL of you involved and cover all muscle groups.
While most prefer to specialise, there are general practice exercises that work your entire body to beneficial and fitness-enhancing fatigue. So here we go.
This is an amazingly simple, equipment-free exercise that’s stood the test of time because it works as a full body workout. It attacks the quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings with equal gusto. You don’t need a gym membership to perform it perfectly well; just a flat surface, something most homes tend to have.
Boost the challenge by holding a dumbbell in each hand and picking a target as far away as walls and doors allow.
Lunge your way towards it and your legs will be the closest thing to on fire if you get there. Not only that, your whole body will have felt the effects in a very good way.
Okay, probably not an exercise to perform watching Netflix on the telly as you’re going to need a barbell with appropriate weight.
If your only experience of clean and jerks is the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, you won’t be alone. But you can get the jump on your full body fitness by adding this admittedly difficult exercise to your regime.
Let’s list them – biceps, triceps, back, core, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves – they’re all up and at ‘em if you’re ready to add this hugely dynamic exercise to your full body repertoire.
But do double check with your doctor, gym instructor or personal trainer before you throw yourself into this one. A decent level of fitness and flexibility is required first.
Well, burpees may be an exercise designed to be performed with maximum clumsiness and gasping, but they work. That’s all that matters.
Exercises such as burpees and lunges can reduce your time in the gym.
A well-executed deadlift will do wonders for your back, quads, glutes, hamstrings, core, forearms and calves.
One of the biggest benefits is time. By doing exercises that work pretty much everything at once, rather than a muscle at a time, you spend less time working out.
As a result, you’re more likely to stick to it even if you’re time poor. Your workouts will be shorter meaning less fatigue and improved muscle recovery.
Another plus, the higher intensity improves your cardio. Full body exercises tend to get you gasping a bit and that’s a great side benefit for your aerobic fitness.
What to keep in mind for full body workouts? They should always be short workouts of high intensity.
Go too hard too often and you won’t get fitter, you’ll probably just get hurt or end up seriously fatigued. There is such a thing as exercising too much. So manage your workout load sensibly – three to four per week is usually plenty – and listen to your body.
Muscle recovery is also part of the fitness process, so make sure your body has time to rejuvenate.
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