Your Muscles

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Q. Glen, I am new at lifting weights, Can you explain to me how muscles work in exercising?


A. When you start lifting weights, it's important to have at least a general idea of how your muscles operate. For each exercise you do, your muscles will play a specific role depending on the movement. There are muscles that initiate the movement and there are also muscles that will help stabilize the body, even if they aren't directly involved. There are even muscles that will completely relax to allow the opposing muscle to work. Below are the different roles your muscles can play:

1. Prime movers. A prime mover is the muscle that initiates the movement you're doing. For example, when you're doing a biceps curl, the biceps would be the primer mover. The prime mover is also the target muscle of the exercise.

2. Antagonists. The antagonist is the muscle opposing the prime mover. This muscle will relax when the prime mover is working. So, using the biceps curl example, the triceps are the opposing muscle group and will relax.

3. Synergists. Some muscles will be synergists, or muscles that help the prime mover work better by stabilizing the body. During a bicep curl, the shoulders may help stabilize the upper body so that nothing else moves except the elbow joint.

Knowing these simple actions can help you focus on the exercises you're doing and better understand which muscles are working and how to get the most out of each exercise.

Aside from these roles muscles can play, it's also important to know the different types of movements. Some are more complex, involving multiple joints and muscles. These are known as compound exercises and include exercises like squats, lunges or pushups - all of which involve a variety of muscles. Compound exercises usually burn more calories because they involve more muscles - the more muscles you can recruit during an exercise, the more calories you'll burn.

Other exercises are simpler, known as isolation exercises and involve only one joint, such as a biceps curl. Isolation moves can strengthen a specific area, which is great if you have muscular imbalances or you're trying to heal an injury caused by an imbalance. Using both movements will give you a well-rounded routine.

.Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

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