Pumping up a fitness
regimen involves a little homework. The first aspect to getting
in shape requires understanding the major muscle groups. Particularly
for strength training, the selection of exercises is a matter
of matching a routine to each major muscle group. The concept
behind working the different groups is to prevent muscle imbalance
which can cause injury.
For a fast study, review the most commonly
known different major muscle groups:
•Abdominals – are comprised of the rectus
abdominus is (a massive flat muscle which runs the length of
the abdomen), and the external obliques, (a muscle that runs
down the front and sides of the abdomen). For abdominals to
look like steel, crunches, reverse curls and regular curls will
target the areas.
•Calf – Located on the lower exterior
of the leg, calf muscles include the soleus and the gastrocnemius.
The gastrocnemius is what supports the round shape of the leg.
The flat muscle that is aligned under the gastrocnemius is the
soleus.
•Gluteals– The group of muscles is referred
to as ‘glutes’. It is comprised of the gluteus maximus, the
large muscle mass covering the derriere. The leg press machine
and squats are good exercises for the gluteals.
•Hamstrings – These muscles are on the
exterior sides of the thigh. Strength exercises include using
leg curls machines, leg press machine, lunges, and squats.
• Low back – In support of good posture,
the erector spinae muscles reach the back. The low back muscles
are used during dead lift and squats.
•Pectoralis major – is a vast fan shaped
muscle. It encompasses the front of the upper chest. To firm
and strengthen pectoralis, do push-ups, pull-ups and incline
bench presses.
•Quadriceps – Are located on the frontal
area of the thigh. Strength building exercises for the quadriceps
are lunges, squats, leg press machines and leg extension machines.
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