Compound vs. Isolation Exercise

Compound exercises are those that require movement at 2 or more joints (i.e., squats, lunges, bench press and shoulder press). Isolation exercises are those that isolate a muscle or muscle group and where movement occurs at a single joint (i.e., bicep curl, hamstring curls, leg extension, etc..).

There are significantly more benefits to performing compound exercises than isolation ones. Firstly, there is the trememdous amount of calories burned; Secondly, substantially more strength can be developed; Thirdly, optimal muscles size (growth) are more likely with compound exercises than with isolation.