How Many Days A Week Should You Do A Full Body Workout?
There are a ton of different workouts. Whether you are following a specific plan or just trying to get your steps in each day, working out has a lot of benefits. According to WebMD, the best types of exercise vary, but all routines should include some type of cardiovascular exercise as well as interval training. This could look like a brisk walk in the afternoons or doing squats while watching television.
But if you are getting serious about your workout routine and hoping to make the benefits of your workout last longer, you may want to start targeting muscle groups. According to Life Fitness, a full body workout consists of "a workout that aims to hit all the major muscle groups in one single session." This means that instead of just doing an arm workout, you will likely be doing routines that also strengthen your legs, core, and more.
And while it may seem like you should be working your full body every single day, working out too much may not be the best option.
For the best results possible, limit your full body workouts
Since a full body workout targets all your muscles, you may be inclined to do it every day to ensure you are getting stronger all over rather than just one spot. But, according to Fit Bod, it's actually best to only do a full body workout about two to three times per week. The main reason for this is that your muscles need time to rest and recover in order to work at their maximum ability. Overworking your muscles can also lead to burnout and make you more prone to injury.
When you head to the gym for a full body workout, make sure you are doing it right. Men's Health recommends focusing on certain workouts, like deadlifts and burpees. These exercises target your whole body, giving you more bang for your buck when it comes to workout time. And the best part of these workouts is that they are truly for everyone. If you are looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply get stronger, a full body workout will help you get there – as long as you do it right.
What to consider when doing a full body workout
Limiting your full body workouts to just a few days a week is important, but ensuring you are doing them correctly on those days is just as important. According to FitBod, doing a full body workout not only lowers your workout time, it also increases your calorie burn, gets you stronger faster, and allows you to take true rest days without losing what you have built in the gym. Life Fitness recommends avoiding any exercises where you are isolating a certain muscle and instead focus on reps and weight size.
If you are unsure where to start with your full body workout, Muscle and Strength recommends a mix of squats, barbell rows, shoulder presses, tricep pushdowns, deadlifts, and seated calf raises. Stack also advises all of those who embark on a workout routine to always start with a warmup and end with a cooldown and to try not to do your full body workout back-to-back, so give yourself Tuesday and Thursday to rest, take a walk, or do some yoga.