Have you ever walked into a gym and felt overwhelmed by all the fancy equipment? Machines with more buttons than your TV remote, and contraptions that look like they belong in outer space?
Here’s a secret: you don’t need any of that.
When it comes to fitness, simpler is better. The basics are the best.
Our bodies are designed for natural movements: squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling and carrying. These are the foundations of human movement, and they should be the core of your workout routine.
Expensive, elaborate machines? They’re mostly just for show.
In fact, they might be holding you back.
Why? Because they often isolate single muscle groups, ignoring the way your body naturally moves and works as a unit.
Instead, focus on becoming a master of the basics:
- Squats: They work your legs, core, and even your upper body.
- Lunges: Great for balance, coordination, and leg strength.
- Hinges (like deadlifts): They target your posterior chain, crucial for overall strength.
- Pushes (push-ups, presses): Essential for upper body and core strength.
- Pulls (rows, pull-ups): Balance out your pushing exercises and improve posture.
- Carries: Fantastic for real-world strength and core stability.
These movements engage multiple muscle groups at once, improving your overall strength, stability and functionality.
There’s no magic bullet in fitness … no secret exercise that will suddenly make you superhuman.
The “next big thing” in fitness is usually just clever marketing for the same old principles, repackaged to seem new and exciting.
Stick to the basics. Master them. Become proficient in these fundamental movements, and you’ll be far ahead of those bouncing from one fitness fad to another, chasing results they’ll never see.