Why Compound Exercises Are the Smartest Way to Build Strength and Save Time
If you’re short on time or just starting out with strength training, focusing on compound exercises could be the most efficient path to building muscle, boosting metabolism, and improving overall fitness.
Compound movements — exercises that engage multiple muscle groups and joints at once — are highly recommended by fitness experts for their ability to deliver maximum results with fewer movements. Popular examples include squats, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses, and barbell rows.
According to exercise physiologist Hunter Carter of the Hospital for Special Surgery, these exercises recruit more muscle mass simultaneously, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced lifters.
The benefits go beyond just building strength. Compound exercises increase calorie expend...