To achieve a well-rounded fitness regimen, total body workouts are essential. These workouts not only enhance strength and endurance but also promote fat loss and muscle gain. Here is a detailed look at some of the best total body exercises, their effectiveness, and how a personal trainer can enhance your workout experience.
- Squats
Why are they effective?
Squats engage multiple muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and core. This compound movement builds strength and stability, making it a cornerstone of any fitness routine/
How to perform:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if sitting in a chair.
- Keep your chest up and back straight.
- Go down until your thighs are parallel to the ground, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Deadlifts
Why are they effective? 
Deadlifts target the posterior chain, including the glutes, hamstrings and lower back. This exercise is crucial for improving overall strength and posture.
How to perform:
- Stand with feet hip-widt
h apart, with a barbell over your mid-foot. - Bend at the hips and knees to grip the barbell.
- Keep your back straight and chest up as you lift the bar by extending your hips and knees.
- Lower the bar back to the ground while maintaining form.
- Push-ups
Why are they effective?
Push-ups are excellent for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders and triceps while also engaging the core.
How to perform:
- Start in a plank position with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor.
- Push back up to the starting position while keeping your body straight.
- Lunges
Why are they effective?
Lunges work all major muscles of the lower body and improve balance and coordination.
How to perform:
- Stand upright and take a step forward with one leg.
- Lower your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle.
- Push back to the starting position and switch legs.
- Plank
Why are they effective?
Planks are a core-strengthening exercises that also engages the shoulders, back and glutes.
How to perform:
- Start in a forearm plank position with elbows under shoulders and body in a straight line.
- Hold the position, engaging your core and glutes for as long as possible.
- Burpees
Why are they effective?
Burpees combine strength and cardio, engaging multiple muscle groups and boosting heart rate.
How to perform:
- Start standing, drop into a squat, and place your hands on the ground.
- Kick your feet back into a plank position.
- Perform a push-up, then jump your feet back to your hands.
- Explode into a jump, reaching your arms overhead.
Incorporating these exercises into your routine, with the guidance of a Personal Trainer, can lead to significant improvements in strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
A Personal Trainer can significantly enhance your workout experience by:
Create customised programs: Trainers assess your fitness level and goals to design a tailored workout plan that includes effective total body exercises.
Ensure proper form: Trainers provide guidance on the correct form to prevent injuries and maximise the effectiveness of each exercise, which is crucial for movements like squats and deadlifts.
Offer motivation and accountability: Regular sessions with a trainer can keep your workouts fresh and engaging, preventing plateaus in progress.
Monitor progress: Trainers can track your progress over time, adjusting your program as needed to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation to your fitness level.
A Personal Trainer is an investment in your health and well-being that can lead to long-term positive effects on your fitness, confidence, and overall health. PT Hale prides itself on being a social and safe space where you can work out individually, or with like-minded people to get the results that you want and deserve – LET’S GO!
