You’ve probably heard us talk a lot about compound lifts during our workouts. But why do we prioritise these movements, and how do they help you achieve your fitness goals? Let’s dive into the power of compound lifts and why they’re such a crucial part of our training at CFNH.
What Are Compound Lifts?
Compound lifts are movements that engage multiple muscle groups and joints at once. Unlike isolation exercises (which target one muscle group), compound lifts like the squat, deadlift, press, and clean recruit a lot more muscles and energy, making them incredibly effective for building strength, power, and endurance.
Why Do We Focus on Compound Lifts?
Here’s why compound lifts are the cornerstone of our programming:
- Total Body Strength Compound lifts work multiple muscle groups in a single movement. For example, a deadlift targets your hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and even your core and grip. This helps you build overall strength faster and more efficiently.
- More Bang for Your Buck Because you’re engaging several muscle groups, compound lifts burn more calories and increase your heart rate, making them excellent for improving cardiovascular health and burning fat. The efficiency of these lifts means you can get a full-body workout in a shorter amount of time.
- Better Functionality Life doesn’t just require strength in one muscle group; it requires coordination and stability across your entire body. Compound lifts mimic real-world movements—like lifting heavy objects, squatting down, or picking things up off the ground—helping you become stronger in everyday life.
- Building a Solid Foundation If you want to lift heavy, build muscle, or improve your athletic performance, you need a solid base. Compound lifts form that base by improving your core stability and muscular coordination, which are crucial for everything from sport-specific movements to weightlifting.
- Increased Hormonal Response Because compound lifts involve so many muscles, they trigger a bigger hormonal response, including a boost in testosterone and growth hormone. These are the key hormones responsible for building lean muscle mass and improving strength.
- Boost Your Performance in Other Areas Stronger legs from squatting will improve your running speed and power. A stronger back from deadlifting will enhance your overhead pressing and pulling power. Compound lifts have a crossover effect that benefits almost every other exercise in your routine.
How Compound Lifts Impact You
At CFNH, we focus on these lifts not only because they’re effective but because they accelerate results. Whether your goal is building muscle, burning fat, improving your endurance, or just feeling stronger overall, compound lifts will get you there.
And don’t worry if you’re just starting out—we’re here to guide you through the technique to ensure you’re lifting with proper form and safety. With consistency and dedication, you’ll see amazing results, both in the gym and in your everyday life.
As always, if you have any questions about compound lifts or need help perfecting your form, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Ready to crush it? Let’s get lifting! 💪
