The 3 Best Strength Exercises

3 simple but extremely effective movements are all you really need to build a great body...

I get asked all the time about the best exercises for building and toning muscle. Most people assume that the best workout routines involve dozens of complicated exercises and movements, all focused on working the various muscle groups from different angles. I guess people get this belief from the fitness magazines, which often feature complex routines and even more complex exercises, sometimes requiring 10 or more pieces of exercise equipment.

Well, the truth is that you really only need 3 exercises to completely work your entire body. You can use these proven movements to build new muscle (by using heavier weights and lower rep counts) or to tone muscle and burn fat (by using lighter weights and more reps). Wanna know what these 3 'magic' exercises are? Well here you go:

1. Flat-bench bench press: Works the entire chest region, the front shoulders, and the triceps (rear arms).

2. Pullups: Works most of the back muscles, the rear shoulders, and the biceps (front arms).

3. Squats: Works the entire lower body and much of the upper body (since the back, abdominals, and shoulders must all be used to stabilize the weight you're holding).

Many bodybuilders and athletes use only these 3 exercises to build world-class physiques. They work because they're 'compound movements' that require a huge variety of muscles to move and stabilize the weight.

Here are a few important tips to remember when using these extremely effective exercises:

• Make sure you use perfect form when performing them, even if it means using very light weight.



• Consult with a personal trainer if you don't know the proper way to perform the movements



• If you can't do, or don't like, bench pressing, normal pushups are a great alternative exercise - especially if you've ever had shoulder problems.



• If you can't perform a single pullup, do machine pulldowns using increasingly heavier weight until you're lifting your bodyweight plus 5 or 10 pounds 5 or more times. By then you should be able to at least a couple bodyweight-only pullups.



• Don't perform weighted-squats if you've ever had knee problems. Many athletes, martial artists, and fitness pros use bodyweight-only squats exclusively - with great results!

by Jamie Clark
Editor, Quick Weight Loss Tips E-Newsletter