Starting a new workout program can be a daunting task. How is one supposed to know where to begin? Well, let’s look at full body workouts as a solution.
It’s a good idea to know your limits before beginning a workout program. It’s important to ease yourself back into exercise, instead of jumping in at full speed. Also, your body is a good judge of when to back off; if you feel pain, take it easy.
Drink half of a meal replacement shake before and after your workout, and remember to stay hydrated throughout. Doing so provides energy for the workout and helps your body recover later. Make sure you don’t sabotage your workouts by eating large meals.
It’s OK to work out two or three days in a row, because we’re going for fat loss, not body building. Me, I like to workout for two days, then take a day off. For those who want to build muscle, you should lift heavy and take a day of rest after each full body workout.
With a full body workout, you’re working your four major muscle groups (chest, back, core, and legs). Every time you work out, start and end with a different muscle group. For instance, if you start with chest, and then move on to back, core and legs, next time start with back, and then end with chest.
Don’t forget about the smaller muscles that support them. Work the major muscle first, then immediately follow up with the supporting muscle. For instance, when you work out your chest, immediately follow up with a triceps exercise (like triceps push-down).
To start, make sure that you’re hydrated and have performed an adequate warm-up. For each exercise (except core), perform three sets of ten repetitions. Rest thirty seconds between sets, and one minute between different exercises.
When doing your chest workout, perform either the dumbbell press or bench press, followed by either the triceps push-down or dips. For the back workout, perform either the seated cable row or pull-ups, followed by either alternate dumbbell curls or standing barbell curls. For your core workout, perform crunches or leg raises, then the plank. For your legs workout, perform either leg presses or squats, then either seated calf raises or standing calf raises.
I love performing full body workouts. This, paired with a healthy diet, can work wonders. Remember that there will always be obstacles testing your resolve, so it’s important to stay focused on your goals.
David Stevens writes advice on how to lose 30 pounds using variations on diet and exercise.
