By Physiotherapist, Vanessa Boon
5 benefits of a total body workout
1.Ideal for home workouts
Especially during this time, most of us will be doing our workouts from home. The good thing about that is that we do not need much equipment at all! You can modify it and make it harder by increasing your repetitions or add weight (dumbbells, water bottles, books) or make it easier by increasing your rest time.
2. Burn more calories
Simply, a total body workout burns more calories because you work more muscles. You can think about it like doing many compound exercises in a short amount of time! Plus you can tweak some exercises to make them plyometrics (squats → squat jumps) which will really get you heart pumping and burn those calories!
3. Decreased time commitments
Split training sessions can take awhile depending on the structure of your program. Not everyone has time for that, but also during quarantine season, not everyone has the set up or access to the weights needed to complete their standard program. If you only have half an hour to spare in a day, a total body workout is perfect for you!
4. Builds more strength
You work all the muscle groups in your body or at least all the major muscle groups with a total body workout. A workout that works all your muscles together gives them the endurance and the strength they need to do what you want them to do! Because you do these workouts ideally 3 times or more a week, your muscles are worked more than they would be with regular split training.
5. Perfect for beginners
A total body workout is the best way to build total body strength! You can modify your workout to make it as easy or as difficult as you want. You can also focus on specific areas that are weaker than others to make sure no part is lacking in strength. Check out this video to see examples of three effective exercises for a total body workout!