6 Rules for a Perfect Workout
Written by Sean Barker, CPT
Rules... As parents we are famous for them. As kids we hated them. Young and old, we all need structure in our lives simply because it works.
When it comes to designing your own workout routine, don't get Paralysis by Analysis by the 1,950,000 results looking back at you from Google.
..and please don't try to follow some of the marathon bodybuilding workouts from the muscles mags on your local newsstand unless you want to break your body down instead of build it up.
No cookie cutter workout program works best for everybody, but most fitness experts would agree on what makes up a well balanced workout for us regular guys with real life responsibilities.
So here are 6 Rules for a Perfect Workout to build real-man muscle, burn off that gut, and say good-bye to those aches and pains once and for all.
Rule 1: Dynamic Warmupr
Ex. (Bodyweight Squats, Pushups, Lunges)
Starting off the workout with a Dynamic warmup instead of stretching, increases body temperature and wakes up your nervous system by moving your body's major muscles in a natural range of motio
Rule 2: Compound multi-joint exerciser
Ex.(Squats, Deadlifts, Bench Press, Chinups)
Including a compound exercise first in your exercise routine works all major muscles by working in a lower rep range you build strength AND muscle right from the start.
Rule 3: Upper Body Antagonistic Supersetr
Ex. (BB or DB Chest Press & BB or DB Row)
Then by pairing opposing muscles groups in a superset fashion but in a slightly higher rep range you save time and keep your heart rate elevated to build muscle and burn fat faster.
Rule 4: Lower Body Single Leg Movementr
Ex.(Lunges, Steps Ups, Single Leg Squats)
By including a single leg movement you help correct any lower body imbalances and work some inactive muscles like the glutes and lower back which build functional strength you can use in everyday life.
Rule 5: Abdominal Movementr
Ex. (Planks, Mountain Climbers, Ab Wheel Rollout)
Training your abs the way they are meant to function by stabilizing your spine and preventing rotation will give you rock hard abs that do more than look good on the beach.
Rule 6: Cooldown: Static Stretchingr
Ex. (Wall Chest Stretch, Wall Back Stretch, Lying Leg Stretch)
Ending your workout with static stretching relaxes your mind as well as your muscles by decreasing your heart rate and increasing flexibility.
Sample Workout:
Warmup
Bodyweight Squats, 10 repsr
Pushups, 10 repsr
Lunges, 5 reps each
Strength Training
1. Barbell Squats, 3 sets of 4-6 reps,2 min rest
2A. Flat DB Bench Press, 3 sets of 6-8 reps, no rest go directly to
2B. Bent Over DB Row, 3 sets of 6-8 reps, 60 secs rest
3. DB Step Ups, 2 sets of 10-12 reps, 60 secs rest
4. Abdominal Planks, 2 sets, hold for 60 secs
Cooldown
Wall Chest Stretchr
Wall Back Stretchr
Standing Bent Leg Quad Stretchr
Lying Knee To Hip Stretch
Use these 6 Rules For a Perfect Workout to construct your own workout routine that will give you faster results with only 3 workouts a week.
Article author
About the Author
Sean Barker is a busy dad who finds time for family, fitness and fun. He likes pumping iron as well as producing it, working as an heavy equipment operator in the iron ore mines. He is ALSO a nationally certified personal trainer who runs his own business at www.DadFitness.com and has a passion for helping other busy dads improve their health and fitness. Visit Sean's blog at http://DadFitnessBlog.com for fitness tips, thoughts and humor in the life of a busy dad
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