What is an example of a compound exercise?

A compound exercise is one that engages multiple muscle groups and involves the movement of more than one joint. Squats are a prime example of a compound exercise because they primarily target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while also activating the core, lower back, and stabilizer muscles throughout the body. This makes squats an effective exercise for building overall strength and functional movement, as they mimic everyday activities such as sitting and standing.

In contrast, other options like leg curls, cable flys, and bicep curls are considered isolation exercises. These focus on specific muscle groups or joints—leg curls target the hamstrings, cable flys isolate the chest muscles, and bicep curls work primarily on the biceps. While isolation exercises are important for targeting particular muscles, they do not provide the same functional benefits and full-body engagement that compound exercises like squats do, which are crucial for building overall strength and improving athletic performance.