Total Body Workouts

Wednesday April 16, 2008

When you start a strength training program, chances are you have a hard time figuring out where to start. What exercises should you do? How often should you workout? How do you fit it all in?

The general guidelines suggest you start out with a total body workout. The reason experts recommend that is because you want a strong foundation to work from. Total body workouts allow you to focus on building strength and endurance in your entire body while you also work on things like coordination, balance and any weaknesses you may discover during the process like tight muscles or lower back pain.

Too often, when we start lifting weights, we're so worried about losing weight or building muscle, we forget to focus on the basic building blocks and that's what a total body workout can help you do. Giving yourself a few weeks to learn the exercises, perfect your form and get past that initial soreness will give you a solid platform to build from.

But, total body workouts aren't just for beginners. Advanced exercisers can enjoy them as well and, this week, I'm highlighting three different total body workouts that fit just about any fitness level.

Basic Total Body Strength. This workout is perfect for beginners or for people who've taken a long break from lifting weights. The moves are simple, the workout is short and you'll hit every muscle in your body without going overboard.
Total Body Workout at Home. This workout is for people familiar with strength training and want challenging exercises, but need a simple routine for targeting the entire body.
Total Body Superset Challenge. This advanced workout is includes a huge variety of exercises designed to challenge both strength and balance. Each superset includes four exercises for both the upper and lower body and you'll blast through each one without much rest for a tough, intense workout.

More Resources