Effective Use of Combo Exercises in Fitness Training
Objective
The objective of this SOP is to understand the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating combo exercises into fitness training programs. By following this SOP, team members will be able to make informed decisions on when and how to use combo exercises effectively.
Key Steps
- Understanding Combo Exercises
- Combo exercises involve combining multiple exercises into one movement.
- Examples include squat to overhead press, renegade rows, and lateral lunge to curl to overhead press.
- Identifying Mismatches in Combo Exercises
- Combo exercises may result in mismatches in load or resistance between different body parts.
- Evaluate if the combo exercise provides adequate stimulus for all involved body parts.
- Determining Desired Outcome
- Clarify the goal of incorporating combo exercises – strength, hypertrophy, conditioning, or novelty.
- Ensure the combo exercise aligns with the desired outcome and does not lead to aimless training.
- Consideration for New Clients
- Combo exercises can be beneficial for new clients with lower stimulus thresholds.
- They can provide a balanced stimulus for overall fitness improvements without overwhelming specific body parts.
- Maintaining Specificity
- For clients with specific goals, ensure that combo exercises align with the desired outcomes.
- Avoid using combo exercises as a one-size-fits-all solution for clients with specific training needs.
- Cautionary Notes
- Be cautious of Fitspo influencers promoting combo exercises for physique results.
- Understand that impressive physique does not necessarily correlate with the effectiveness of combo exercises for specific goals.
Tips for Efficiency
- Goal Setting: Clearly define the goal of each combo exercise to ensure it contributes to the overall training program.
- Client Specificity: Tailor the use of combo exercises based on individual client goals and needs.
- Progressive Overload: Monitor progress and adjust combo exercises to maintain effectiveness over time.
- Novelty and Fun: Incorporate combo exercises for variety and enjoyment in training sessions.
By following these steps, team members can effectively utilize combo exercises in fitness training programs to maximize results for clients while avoiding common pitfalls and misconceptions.
