Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A Lesson in Anatomy - Know Your Muscles

To develop your physique correctly, you need to understand what muscles to train. The basic anatomy lesson presented here will help you to develop a well-balanced, strong and lean physique. If you concentrate on only a few "problem areas" such as your glutes and hamstrings, you could end up with imbalances in strength, which can lead to injury. So, get your school caps on!

Your frontal physique consists of the following major muscle groups:

  1. The chest (pectorals)
  2. Abdominals (rectus abdominis)
  3. Front shoulders (deltoids)
  4. Upper arms (biceps)
  5. Thighs (quadriceps)
Muscles that support or assist these major muscle groups in doing their job include:
  1. The frontal neck (Sternocleidomastoid or SCM)
  2. Forearms (flexors and extensors)
  3. Sides of the waist (obliques)
  4. Inner thighs (adductors)
  5. Shin muscles (tibialis)
A well-rounded strength-training regimen should include exercises from all of the muscles noted above. Now, for the rear body.

Some very large and strong muscle groups are found at the back of the body, including:
  1. The lats (latissimus dorsi)
  2. Traps (trapezius)
  3. Rear shoulders (deltoids)
  4. Lower back (erectors)
  5. Rear upper arms (triceps)
  6. Buttocks (gluteus)
  7. Rear thighs (hamstrings)
  8. Calves (gastrocnemius and soleus)
Other notable rear body muscles include: the teres major (assists the lats) and the infraspinatus (part of the rotator cuff).

As with the front of the body, a well-rounded workout regimen should include the rear body muscles noted above.

In subsequent posts, I'll give you examples of exercises that work each of these muscle groups, so that you'll be able to create your own strength-training workouts quickly and easily. This will add variety to your routines and increase your overall body strength more rapidly. Before you know it, you'll be lean, strong and ready to take on any challenge.

Take good care of yourself. Have a great night.

'Healthy. Fit. Living Fully.' for all!

Sandy Huard, President, Women's Health Supply International

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