Full-Body Gym Workouts: 5 Exercises to Add to Your next Gym Session   

Whether you are looking to bulk up, reduce weight, or strengthen specific muscles, full-body gym workouts can help you achieve your fitness goals. But when it comes to productive full-body workout plans, choosing the right exercises is very important.

So, how can you choose the right full-body gym workouts?

The best way to accomplish this is by adding compound exercises to your routine. This is because compound exercises involve multi-joint movements and target several muscle groups at once. As a result, they help you recruit a number of upper and lower body muscles, thereby burning more calories and strengthening more muscles.

Here, we’ve listed the five best full-body workouts that you must consider adding to your next gym routine. For each exercise, you’ll require weight and thus, it is important to work with a trainer to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the entire workout routine.

5 full-body gym workouts for an effective strength training routine

The following exercises are total gym workouts that can be done using different methods depending on your individual needs and fitness level. It is best to work with a certified trainer to find the best variation for your specific fitness goals.

1. Deadlifts

Deadlift is one of the best full-body weightlifting workouts that offers several benefits. This exercise engages hip flexors, boosts jump performance, prevents lower back pain, strengthens the core, and also boosts overall metabolism.

To do deadlifts:

• Squat down to grab a barbell with your hands positioned at a shoulder-width distance. You can use an overhand, hook, or underhand grip to hold the barbell.
• With your chest up and shoulder blades pulled back, lift the barbell and keep it close to your body. Now lift the barbell to thigh level and pause for a few seconds.
• Return the barbell to the starting position using a controlled movement.

Deadlifts are one of the best full-body gym workouts. (Photo via Pexels/Victor Freitas)

2. Kettlebell swings

Kettlebell swings are among the most strengthening full-body gym workouts that are incredibly beneficial for developing muscle mass. This exercise helps with weight loss, boosts heart health, builds functional strength, and also eases shoulder and back pain.

To do kettlebell swings:

• Place a kettlebell in front of you and stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder distance.
• Bend your knees and lean forward to grab the kettlebell with both hands. Now with your back flat and your lats engaged, pull the kettlebell between your legs and then push your hips forward to pull the kettlebell up to your shoulder height.
• Return to the start and repeat the exercise.

3. Burpees

Burpees are another very productive full-body exercise that targets some of the major muscle groups, including the glutes, chest, arms, shoulders, legs, and core. The best part about this exercise is that it doesn’t require weights and can be performed even at home.

To do burpees:

• Start in a standing position and then squat down slowly until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Place your arms on the floor and kick your legs back to get into a push-up position.
• As soon as you kick your feet back, immediately kick them back in towards your arms and then jump as high as you can.
• Land softly and immediately squat down to perform the next rep.

Full-body gym workouts target the core. (Photo via Pexels/Karl Solano)

4. Dumbbell lunges

Dumbbell lunges are one of the best full-body gym workouts that primarily focus on the glutes, calves, quads, hamstrings, and core muscles.

To do dumbbell lunges:

• Stand straight holding a dumbbell in each hand and position your feet at a shoulder-width distance.
• Now move your right leg forward into a lunge and hold the position. Push off your right foot to return to the starting position and repeat the exercise.
• Switch legs and continue.

5. Goblet squats

Goblet squats are an important variation of traditional squats and target the entire body all at once. This full-body exercise typically targets the core, quads, hip flexors, hamstrings, and glutes while improving stability in the knees.

To do goblet squats:

• Stand upright with your feet at a hip-width distance and grab a dumbbell by its head. Hold the dumbbell in front of your chest with your elbows down.
• Now push your hips back and torso forward as you bend your knees to get into a squat position.
• As you squat, make sure your elbows reach the inside of your knees. Hold the position for a few seconds and then come back straight up.
• Repeat.

Goblet squats are among the most effective full-body gym workouts. (Photo via Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto)

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned exerciser, adding the above-given full-body gym workouts to your exercise routine is sure to help you achieve your fitness goals.

However, it is important to take precautions and focus on the form to avoid getting injured. It's always best to start with a routine that’s easy on your muscles rather than a challenging program that’s overexerting.