Are you including all seven compound exercise variations in your training program?
It’s easy to neglect movement patterns simply because we aren’t as focused on the muscle group it involves compared to another. But to get the most benefit out of your training, it pays to be functionally strong in all your body’s capable movement patterns.
Why?
It’ll help save your joints, create better posture, support longevity, create well balanced aesthetics, which in turn will help bullet proof your body to be able to train for longer and feel better the longer you go at this whole training thing.
There’s nothing more eye opening than talking to an older veteran gym goer who can no longer train chest or shoulders due to beat up shoulders from neglecting their back training, or someone who can no longer squat due to a beat up lower back from neglecting posterior change movements like a hip hinge.
My point is, instead of being the guy only hitting bench press and arm curls, or the girl only doing hip thrusts and glute kickbacks, it’s a good idea to invest a little time into developing your body as a whole. Sure, you may have certain areas you’d like to develop more than others (nothing wrong with that), but it doesn’t mean you should be completely ignoring all the other movement patterns your body is capable of performing.
The body has seven multi joint movement patterns.
Let’s look at each:
*NOTE: THE VARIATIONS YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE OF EACH MOVEMENT PATTERN ARE JUST A SINGLE EXAMPLE OF THE EXERCISES YOU COULD PERFORM. THERE ARE OTHER MOVEMENTS IN EACH VARIATION YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM THAT ARE NOT LISTED!
1 - Squat Variation
Beginner - Intermediate (Goblet Squat)
Intermediate - Advanced (Barbell Squat)
2 - Single Leg Squat Variation
Intermediate - Advanced (Bulgarian Split Squat)
3 - Hip Hinge Variation
Beginner - Intermediate (Glute Bridge)
Intermediate - Advanced (DB RDL)
4 - Horizontal Press Variation
Beginner - Intermediate (Push Up)
Intermediate - Advanced (Bench Press)
5 - Vertical Press Variation
Intermediate - Advanced (BB OHP)
6 - Horizontal Row Variation
Beginner - Intermediate (Machine Row)
Intermediate - Advanced (Seal Row)
7 - Vertical Row Variation
Beginner - Intermediate (Cable Pull Down)
Intermediate - Advanced (Pull Up)
What About Isolation Work?
Although focusing on these seven compound movements should be the bulk of your training… including isolation work will always hold merit as well. The movement variations above will hit every muscle in your body, but if you have a goal of further developing your shoulders, glutes, chest, arms, etc, adding additional single joint movement patterns will become more of a necessity the more advanced you become. Movements like arm and leg curls/extensions, upper body lateral raise and flies, leg kickbacks, leg adductions/abductions, and calf raises.
Not to mention… getting an arm pump (guys) or glute pump (ladies) can be fun, and one of the most important aspects to staying consistent with your training is making sure it’s enjoyable! So, don’t be afraid to add isolation work through single joint exercises. I’d just emphasize making sure the bulk (60-80%) of your training is concentrated on performing progressive overload in the 7 compound variations listed above.
What About Core Work?
The question you’re probably wondering about most… but what about my abs? I hear you. But what you may not realize is that by performing the main compounds above… you’ll be targeting your core more than you realize.
With that said, if you really enjoy training your core, or if it’s a lagging area for you, there’s no reason you can’t add some core work to the end of your workouts. I’d suggest incorporating two different types of core variations:
1 – Anti-Rotation Variations
This would look like variations of a farmers carry, plank variations, pallof press variations, renegade rows, etc.
The reason for anti-rotation training is to help build stabilization in the spine and pelvis when under load. Building strength in anti-rotation movements can actually help build strength in the main compound movements above if your core strength is a limiting factor in moving more weight.
2 – Spinal Flexion Variations
This would look like your typical ab exercises like crunches, leg raises, etc. Although probably not the most important aspect to your training, if you enjoy these movements and they keep you coming back there’s no reason you can’t include them. Again, just make sure they’re an “accessory” to your program, not a focal point.
Resources To Help You Build A Training Program
Need help building a proper training program that’s personalized to your goals and needs in terms of exercise selection, workout split, volume recommendations, and more? Check out these two articles I’ve wrote on individual program design and building your own workouts:
THE BUILDING BLOCKS TO A RESULT BASED TRAINING PROGRAM
HOW TO BUILD A WORKOUT FOR STRENGTH, MUSCLE, & FAT LOSS
Or if you want a blueprint to an upper body and a lower body training day that’s based on the principles of everything we’ve chatted about here as well as the two articles just provided… you can download them for FREE right here.
