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What are Compound Exercises
 

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Compound Exercises

Undoubtedly the best exercises for muscle growth are Compound Exercises. They are very important because they involve the larger muscle groups and work across more than two major joints.

As you are able to use heavy weights during these exercises other muscles are recruited to
stabilise holding the weight where you want it as well as using the muscles required to force the weight in direction of travel.

The main Compound Exercise are:

  • Barbell Squat-Legs.
  • Bench Press-Chest Muscles.
  • Deadlift-Back.
  • Military Press-Shoulders.

    I would also include Pull ups in this group as it is such an important exercise for any strength building routine.

    These exercises should form the main stay of your routines. In fact they are essential to any muscle mass and strenght training regime.

                    Compound Exercises build muscles.

    Learn how to do them with strict style and correct tempo for safety and maximum benefit. Remember you are Bodybuilding not power lifting and you want to cause hypertrophy by keeping the muscles under tension. Each rep should take about 6 seconds, this does not include hustling and shuffling into position. 

How-to-bodybuilding
COMPOUND EXERCISE TIPS

how to squat,bodybuildingOften referred to as the the King Of Exercices The Squat is the best exercise for increasing strength and mass mostly in the lower body. However because you need to use so much effort stabilising the weight the effects are seen throughout the body.


If you are are wanting to build bigger muscles you must squat.


Barbell Squat. Bar too high on the neck  The position of the bar to start is very important to prevent injury. The bar must not rest on the neck.


Bar across the trapezius, Compound Exercises The bar must rest across the trapezius. You should be able to feel it fit into a 'groove' and become quite stable.



Strict style and tempo get the best from this exercise. 

To start push your butt out slightly like you would go to sit on the toilet. This helps to keep the weight over your hips and heels and stops your knees going out over your toes. 

Remember a slight pause at the bottom of the movement.

The tempo I use is "Butt Out,2,3, Pause, Pow>w>w>er up 2,3" Sounds a bit silly but it works for me! By the end of the set it is usually followed by some foul language and a curse upon squating, the bar, and the weights for being so dammed heavy! This is not compulsory but again it works for me.

Lower yourself until the top of your the thighs are parallel to the ground.

Knees need to be over or behind the line of the toes.

Keep your back in it natural curve throughout the movement. Do not bend forward.

Visualise the power to push back up in a straight line through your heels,hips and back.

 

Use a power rack or catchers. You do not want several hundred pounds on your back and you cannot get up again! 
Here is a shot of the one I made for use in the home gym.

how-to-bodybuilding home gym, power rack

A word of warning if you are going to make you own gear you must be one of those people that knows when they put something together it will stop together!  

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