{"id":5917,"date":"2015-12-07T17:46:56","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T00:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/fitness\/?p=5917"},"modified":"2015-12-07T17:46:56","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T00:46:56","slug":"the-one-simple-trick-to-working-out-smarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/health-and-fitness\/news\/the-one-simple-trick-to-working-out-smarter\/","title":{"rendered":"The One Simple Trick to Working Out Smarter"},"content":{"rendered":"

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=a4JLfNPe080&app=desktop<\/p>\n

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Leg day, arm day, cardio day, strength day, pizza day…so many specifically-focused days can lead to wasted time in the gym. Let\u2019s talk efficiency here people: compound exercises<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A compound exercise occurs when more than one muscle group is working at a time. Many standard functional moves like squats, deadlifts, and pull-ups are considered compound. Each exercise requires the use of a major muscle group while also activating a smaller group to ensure stability within the movement. Stringing together several compound exercises correctly creates a true total body workout and overall, a smarter way to work out.<\/p>\n

Why are compound exercises considered smarter? Two main reasons:<\/p>\n

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  1. You get more bang for your buck in the time department. Rather than whiling away the hours on your bicep curls, you could easily add in a lunge each time you lift your arms. You\u2019ll still be sculpting those guns, and your lower body and abs will feel the burn two. When moves are combined efficiently, you can literally cut your workout time in half.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Compound exercises mimic real life motions. It\u2019s rare that you\u2019re presented with a heavy box at hip height to curl towards your chest. You need to squat down, squeeze those glutes, tighten those abs, and press up through your feet in order to grab and move that box. Not complicated, just compound!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Need more motivation to compound your routine? Check out the list of benefits from doing a compound exercise-loaded, total body workout:<\/p>\n