What should be included in a gym workout?

Physical training balances five elements of good health. Make sure your routine includes aerobics, strength training, core exercises, balance and flexibility training, and stretching.

What should be included in a gym workout?

Physical training balances five elements of good health. Make sure your routine includes aerobics, strength training, core exercises, balance and flexibility training, and stretching. You may just be starting to take the first steps on the path to physical fitness. To work out your upper body, you can focus on all your muscle groups on both days.

This includes the chest, shoulders, back, arms and trunk. Or, on Tuesday, you can focus on your chest, shoulders and triceps, and on Friday, on your back and biceps. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger's favorite back exercise, the T-bar row transcends all simple deadly workouts simply thanks to the blessing of the Austrian oak. Sure, it might seem a little funny doing it, but this variation of the board challenges you to keep your back flat and stable.

This shows that not all essential exercises consist of making noise with plates and bending bars. This variation of the traditional drop-down menu not only strengthens the middle and upper back, but also works the shoulders, biceps and forearms. The squat is one of the most basic and fundamental compound movements you can have in your arsenal. The barbell back squat is the classic option, but there are many variations that adapt to your preferences or limitations.

Barbell abdominal exercises hit the entire trunk without straining the back when done correctly. Make sure your hips are aligned with your knees and shoulders, and use a comfortable range of motion. Once you're ready, you can start to gain weight for an even greater challenge. This walking and stretching routine might just be one day at the gym, or it could be two months before you finally feel like you don't want to leave your own skin while you're at the gym.

These beginner gym exercises are ideal for several goals, whether you want to lose weight or burn fat, build muscle and strength, or improve your fitness. While there will never be a definitive “EXERCISE LIST” TO END ALL EXERCISE LISTS, there are more than enough essential exercises that anyone who goes to the gym should at least consider. The first time you go to a gym can be stressful and exciting, but it's the 100th, 500th, or 1000th trip to the gym that you get results. By the way, if you don't have a gym membership, here's how to find the right gym and 6 things you should know before joining a gym.