Full-Body Workout
Some days you want to strengthen your arms, other days you want to focus on your legs or your core. But honestly, the best and most efficient exercises you can do are the exercises that push your entire body. Here are some of the best (and most accessible) exercises.
Pull-Ups
You may think the pull-ups are primarily an arms exercise – and in some ways, you would be right. When you pull up your entire body by your arms, you are indeed working out your forearms and biceps quite a bit. But you are also using your entire body, even without realizing it, to complete the pull-up. Getting from the bottom to getting your chin above the bar means the use of arms, core, neck, and back muscles – and even leg muscles, which you will flex up and down for leverage. This is the reason that pull-ups – simple as they are – can present such a challenge for those who don’t regularly work out or those who aren’t athletic in any way and can be a challenging full-body workout.
Swimming
Another great full-body workout is swimming. Swimming is great for many reasons. It’s accessible, since the only real skill required is knowing how to swim, and it’s a great sport for people who are recovering from injuries. It’s versatile since it can be adjusted easily depending on a person’s needs and abilities and can be done alone or in teams. And most of all: it’s just plain fun! However, another little-known fact is that swimming is a brilliant full-body workout. Swimming requires the use of abdominal and back muscles, as well as all four limbs working in tandem. It improves strength, stamina, coordination, and balance.
Dancing
While there are many sports that would offer a great full-body workout, dancing is one of the best options because of the diversity that it encapsulates. Just like swimming, you’re going to have to learn to be strong and coordinated. Balance is especially important. And best of all, you’re going to learn how to do so while simultaneously expressing yourself along with your favorite genre of music. You can pursue ballet, hip-hop, Latin dance (like bachata or salsa), or Zumba, just to name a few. You can also start in the privacy of your own room and work your way up to a class – if you’re more comfortable with that.
Full-body workouts are also particularly fulfilling. There’s nothing quite like giving everything you’ve got in order to achieve the absolute most of what’s possible. While it might leave you exhausted, it will also strengthen and rejuvenate your body and soul.
Check out this article on how to help heal sore muscles after a workout!