Which Routines Give You The Best Muscle Gains!

Best Muscle Gains: Compound vs Isolation Muscle Routines

During your workouts you’ll use both compound and isolation muscle routines.   A squat exercise is a compound muscle routine.  A bicep curl is an example of an isolation muscle routine.

Compound muscle routines are designed to work several muscles or a muscle group.  A squat exercise engages your core muscles and lower muscle groups like your calves, hamstrings and glutes. Isolation muscle routines work a single muscle or muscle group.  The bicep curl works your bicep muscle.

In order to achieve your best muscle gains you need to focus on the compound exercise routines.  When you use more muscle groups you burn more calories.  You’ll also get a faster workout for all your major muscle groups than if you do a lot of isolation muscle routines. Compound muscle workouts keep your heart rate higher 

for longer period of time too.

You may resort to isolation exercises if you have an injury or if you need to balance out your muscle profile.  For example, it’s very common for one arm to have larger muscles and better definition than the other.  You may have to work on the opposite arm to ‘catch it up’ to the other arm.  Bicep curls and tricep kickbacks are a couple of examples of isolation exercise to correct that imbalance.

The reason compound routines work for best muscle gains is because more of your body is forced to work. Your body adapts by building larger muscles within the muscle groups you are training.

The bench press is a fundamental exercise for your upper body. Not only does it grow your chest muscles but your deltoids and triceps benefit too. The standing military press is a shoulder exercise, but the fact that you are standing tests your coordination and offers more muscular involvement.

Lifting a heavy weight off the floor and pushing it overhead is pure strength as is found when you do a deadlift routine.  When you execute a deadlift your lower back and leg muscle groups are worked but so are your lateral muscles, the rhomboids, erectors, and trapezoids.  Even your hand muscles get a workout. 

Be sure you use a grip and have your spotter nearby! 

One way to get in a great workout, either compond or isolation, is using simply your own bodyweight as the resistance that your muscles work against. If you have not workout in a while using your bodyweight is a great way to avoid injuring yourself as you are getting started. (It is also a great way to go if you are recovering from an injury!)

When parents ask me about their young people begining a consistant workout routine, I point them to the Body Weight Blitz program. This is a complete introduction to Body Weight Training and the incredible benefits that can be gained. It will give you a great understanding as to why this system is great for anyone regardless of age or physical condition. Every thing can be modified so that you can start right where you are! 

No need for a gym membership or expensive equipment and clothes! Train when the time is right for you! Check out Body Weight Blitz for a great workout routine!

If You Like To Run, You Have Got To Read This!

How Runners Can Strengthen Their Core

Developing a strong core is critical for runners not only to maintain stability and balance, but to prevent injuries as well. The core muscles are the ones that keep us from moving from side to side. Unfortunately, some runners do not realize the importance of incorporating core strengthening exercises into their routine and they think that having strong legs is enough.

If you want to improve your performance as a runner, here are some tips on how to strengthen your core:

•     Before running, make sure you warm up to stretch out your lower back. If your lower back is tight, it will prevent the core muscles from firing properly. Some people encounter reciprocal inhibition and this occurs when a particular muscle group is tight.

Naturally, when one muscle group is tight, it prevents your other muscles from doing their job properly. Warming up prepares your mind and body for a demanding activity but it will also allows you to achieve peak performance. To warm up your lower back, do some spinal twists and forward bends.

•      Practice hip bridges and pelvic tilts to strengthen your core. These two exercises are very easy to do and they are perfect for beginners and people with back problems. They help isolate and strengthen the glutes and hamstrings as well as train your body to engage them when needed.

The hip bridge also improves core and spinal stability. To do this exercise, lie flat on the floor, lift your pelvis and hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds. Do 10 repetitions. If you want it to be more challenging, you can lift up on your toes alternately as if you are marching. For pelvic tilts, get down on your hands and knees and then raise your lower back to the ceiling. Straighten your back and do 10 to 20 reps.

•     Another way to strengthen your core muscles is to do plank exercises. Aside from a flat stomach, planks will help improve your posture. Doing  ten-minutes of 1-2 minute plank routines outweighs the benefits of doing abdominal crunches for an hour.

Start by getting in the pushup position. Your forearms and toes should support your weight and make sure your elbows are lined up directly under your shoulders. Keep your neck neutral by looking down on the floor. This prevents placing too much strain on your neck.

Hold the plank for at least 30 seconds and take a 5-second break in between repetitions. Once your core gets stronger, you can hold the position for as long as 1 minute or more.   

Family Fitness Fun Circus

Family exercises...working out can be fun! We must lead the way!