If you’re a busy parent, you probably struggle to keep up with a workout routine. It’s so easy to make excuses and say that you don’t have time to do a workout at the end of a busy day. But it’s still important to stay in shape, so what are you supposed to do? 

Parents that struggle to fit their workouts in should try compound exercises. These kinds of exercises are ideal if you want to get an effective workout in but you don’t have much time. Here’s everything you need to know about compound exercises and why they are so great for busy parents. 

What Is A Compound Exercise 

A compound exercise is any movement that works multiple muscles at the same time. For example, a squat is a great example of a compound exercise because it works all of the muscles in your legs as well as your core. 

Compound exercises can also be movements that combine two separate exercises into one move. For example, doing a bicep curl while also lunging at the same time. 

These exercises differ from isolation injuries, which target specific muscles without working any other area of the body. 

What Are The Benefits Of Compound Exercises 

There are a lot of great benefits to compound exercises and everybody should add them to their workout routines. However, there are some reasons why they are particularly good for busy parents. 

They Save Time 

The biggest benefit of compound exercises is that they save you a lot of time. When you are working out, it’s important that you focus on all areas of the body so you get an equal workout. However, that takes up a lot of time if you’re doing separate exercises for each muscle group and as a busy parent, you don’t have time for that. But when you do compound exercises, you can pick a few exercises that give you an all around workout. Squats are great for working your entire lower half and core, and a dumbbell shoulder press works the majority of your arm and back muscles. With those two simple exercises, you have a great full-body workout. This means that you can still get an effective workout in, even if you only have 15 minutes to spare. 

They Improve Flexibility And Posture 

Being a parent is demanding, especially if you are trying to juggle work and home responsibilities, and it can really take a toll on your body. Many parents suffer from aches and pains and even though you put it down to the natural aging process, it’s more likely that it’s due to poor flexibility and posture. There are plenty of exercises that you can do to improve your posture and flexibility, but compound exercises are often the most effective. 

You Get Quicker Results 

It’s so much easier to keep up with a workout routine when you can see results, which is why compound exercises are so great. When you work out using compound exercises, you’re building muscles all over the body. It’s the reason why the Chris Evans workout was all built around compound exercises while he was trying to get in shape for an upcoming movie. If you’re looking for a way to get in shape quickly and see tangible results in a short space of time, compound exercises are perfect. 

They Build Functional Strength 

Your average person isn’t working out so they can build huge muscles. Having big biceps isn’t much use to you as a parent, but being able to lift heavy loads of laundry or carry the kids to bed when they fall asleep in the car is. That’s why you should find workouts that build functional strength, and compound exercises are the best way to do that. Doing isolation exercises, like a bicep curl, will make you better at doing that specific movement but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are any stronger day to day. Compound exercises, on the other hand, build different muscle groups equally, and that translates to functional strength. 

Examples Of Compound Exercises 

There are a lot of different compound exercises that you can try, but these are some of the best ones that busy parents can do on their own. 

• Squats – Lower body and core
• Push ups – Arms, chest and core
• Planks – Full body workout
• Chair pose – Full body workout

If you’re a busy parent and you are trying to find a workout routine that is suited to your lifestyle, try these compound exercises. A simple 15 minute routine with these exercises gives you a full body workout that you can easily fit into your daily routine.