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Compound movements? What are they and how do they help?

A breakdown of compound exercises and why they just might be the key ingredient to what you're looking for.

By Spencer NelsonPublished about a year ago 2 min read
Compound movements? What are they and how do they help?
Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

Compound movements are a great starting point for muscle gain for several reasons:

1. They work multiple muscle groups at once: Compound movements are exercises that involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together, such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups. Because they target multiple muscle groups at once, compound movements are an efficient way to build overall muscle mass.

2. They allow for heavier lifting: Because compound movements work multiple muscle groups, they often allow for heavier lifting than isolation exercises. This heavier lifting can help to stimulate muscle growth and increase overall strength.

3. They improve functional strength: Compound movements mimic real-life movements and activities, making them more functional than isolation exercises. This means that they can help to improve overall strength and mobility, making everyday activities easier and reducing the risk of injury.

4. They increase hormone production: Compound movements have been shown to increase the production of anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone, which are important for muscle growth and recovery.

Overall, compound movements are a great starting point for muscle gain because they are efficient, effective, and functional. However, it's important to remember that a well-rounded exercise program should also include isolation exercises and adequate rest and recovery time to optimize muscle growth and overall health.

Isolation exercises are movements that target a single muscle group or joint, such as bicep curls, leg extensions, or calf raises. While they may not be as efficient as compound exercises for building overall strength and muscle mass, they can be useful for targeting specific areas or muscles that may be lagging behind.

So, when should you implement isolation exercises into your routine? Here are some situations where they may be beneficial:

1. To target weak areas: If you have a specific muscle group that is lagging behind the rest of your body, isolation exercises can be a great way to focus on that area and bring it up to par with the rest of your body.

2. To add variety: Doing the same exercises over and over can become boring and monotonous. Adding in isolation exercises can help to keep your workouts fresh and challenging.

3. To work around injuries: If you have an injury that prevents you from doing certain compound exercises, isolation exercises can be a great way to continue training while avoiding further injury.

4. It's important to remember that isolation exercises should be used in conjunction with compound exercises, not as a replacement. Compound exercises are still the most effective way to build overall strength and muscle mass. However, by incorporating isolation exercises strategically into your routine, you can maximize your results and achieve your fitness goals.

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    SNWritten by Spencer Nelson

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