Welcome! Glad you can join us in getting the latest knowledge in fitness, nutrition, and in health. This blog is about gaining the information backed by science and research for you to live your best life happier and healthier. So let’s get to it. Today’s blog is on the benefits to a total body workout. There are some benefits and I will explain here, but I know some of you are going to go to the gym and work a split routine and enjoy the basic power moves to build muscle, and that ok. I am all for it, however if you are looking for a little variety that I mentioned in my last blog read on and you might find something new to try.
So let’s say you are all set to go. You go to the gym 5-6 days a week, you have a split routine you do for each body part. You are doing great, starting to show a little mass and then BOOM! Life hits you and you’re sick, the kids are sick, the job is more demanding, there is 10 feet of snow outside. You find yourself not going to the gym maybe 2-3 days now and there on different days, and you’re not able to work all the muscle groups in a week so some of the muscle groups have to wait a week or so until they are worked again. This is not good! But wait, there’s hope……………Total body workouts! ChaChing! The Holy Grail of workouts.
So here are 5 benefits of having a total body workout. These are backed by science and research and have been proven effective. Try these the next time you hit the gym for a really awesome workout and great feeling of accomplishment.
Benefit #1
Burn more calories in less time. So most people seek time efficiency in most things they do such as grocery pick up, paying at the pump, drivethru’s etc. so why not in our workouts? Why not take advantage of an efficiency workout to save time, burn more calories, get a better workout in and that is more fun. For example, when you perform a compound exercise like the squat and lunge, it requires more energy to coordinate the movement and a heavier training load which provides more oxygen to the working muscles than single joint movements.
Benefit #2
You can build more muscle. Isolation workouts are important for muscular hypertrophy, they’re not necessarily for everyone. Isolation workouts one day per week isn’t frequent enough for most people to see gains in muscular size.While we’re all for building the legs on “leg day” but, that doesn’t mean neglecting your lower half for the other six or so days a week. With full-body training (assuming appropriate loads and rest), you’re targeting any given muscle group two to three times per week for increased muscle growth. (Want to know the rules or laws of building muscle? Check out my latest blog to find out how).
Benefit #3
Increase your strength. If getting stronger is your goal, then it’s imperative to perform movements that allow you to use the most weight. Compound exercises such as the squat, deadlift and bench press variations are full body movements that require the most total-body effort to execute. By making these exercises the mainstay in your workout program, you’ll be challenging your body to continuously, and effectively build strength. (Check out my upcoming blog on my 6 squat variations for a total body workout).
Benefit #4
You can maximize your workout efficiency. This is probably the most important for some people so I have to mention it. It is a great benefit and time saver. Everyone seems to be pressed for time so by focusing on the major multi-joint exercises that work your entire body, you’re stimulating the same muscles using one exercise. Plus, by supporting a bar during squats your core is required to stabilize the body under load, unlike single-joint exercises. Total-body training teaches you to focus on the rule of 80/20, so instead of adding in an extra set of bicep curls, you place your focus on the 20 percent of movements that give you the most bang for your buck. When you’re short on time, these more efficient exercises become the logical choice in training.
Benefit #5
You could have greater flexibility. So can you imagine being able to workout anywhere at any time, without throwing off your whole routine. That’s exactly what total-body training allows you to do. By training the whole body as one integrated unit you’re able to stimulate the same muscles in one workout that might take two or three isolation-based workouts and more time in the gym and more time during the week. As a result, you can integrate total-body training around a busy travel schedule and not miss a beat, or focus on other exercise activities, such as swimming, yoga, bike riding, all without neglecting your strength training.
So there you have it. The 5 benefits to a total body workout. Try it next time you go to the gym for a new thing or different variety in your workouts. Keep your muscles guessing and wanting more. I hope this helps in your fitness journey and makes you happier and healthier. I myself will try these as well and I will let you know how it has helped me. Keep reading my blogs to stay informed of the latest fitness, health, and nutrition ideas, tips, and trends with the latest research and science backed information.
Take care and remember, You only get one body…………….make the change!
Darren
Harmony Shift 