A full-body workout, a series of exercises that challenges all muscle groups during one workout instead of working one muscle group at a time, is an easy and effective way for exercisers of all levels to increase their fitness, according to personal trainer and fitness DVD star Amy Dixon. There are certain benefits and ways to engage in a full-body workout.
Benefits
Because a full-body workout targets nearly every muscle in the body, you'll notice an increase in head-to-toe muscle tone and strength, as well as a boost in calorie burn, both during your workout and while you're at rest. Working all muscles together also assures that the strength you're building is balanced.
Features
A good full-body workout will be beneficial for all levels of fitness and allow you to increase the weight you're lifting and the reps you're completing as you progress. An ideal full-body workout starts with a warmup, works the entire body, flowing from large muscle groups to small ones---you'd work your chest and back before your biceps and triceps, for example---and ends with a cooldown.
Types
Full-body workouts come in many varieties, all of which can be effective. You can get a great full-body workout following a workout DVD or using only dumbbells or resistance bands at home or in a hotel room. You can take a group exercise class or use strength machines at your health club that will work muscles from head to toe. You can get a full-body workout in the pool, in a park or on a sports field.
Misconceptions
You may think that a full-body workout will take hours to complete, but some of the most effective full-body workouts will challenge several muscle groups at once, meaning a shorter, more efficient workout. It's also not true that you need lots of equipment for a full-body workout. Some full-body strength exercises that don't require anything more than your body weight include squats, lunges, step-ups, pushups, triceps dips and many abs exercises.
Warnings
Especially if you're new to exercise, it's important to find a safe full-body workout that won't push you too hard too fast. Avoid full-body workouts that suggest you work out on consecutive days, increase the weight you're lifting by more than ten percent at a time or suggest you start with more than three sets or 12 reps per exercise. Beginners should also avoid full-body workouts that challenge their balance by suggesting they stand on one leg or use a resistance ball for strength exercises.
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