If you’re new to working out, you might not have come across the term compound exercise yet—but there are probably a few already in your routine.

A compound exercise is any movement that recruits multiple muscle groups at once. That means workout staples like squats, deadlifts and chest presses all fall into this category.

Because these moves fire up lots of muscles, they’re high-effort, more functional and help you burn more calories. They also build strength more efficiently because they engage different areas simultaneously. You may like

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