I was wondering if there are such things as complementary exercises.For example,if u do squats,is there another exercises you should be doing to complement it?(perhaps,to work the complementary body part,if there is such a thing)
Hmm. Okay, I know there are supersets and they are used to work “opposing” muscles. For instance, supersetting a back exercise (pulling muscle) with a chest exercise (pushing). But “complimentary”? I’m thinking that maybe you’re asking if deadlifts would be good to do along with squats. Deads work primarilly the hamstrings/glutes - while squats are more for quads/overall leg development. IS that what you’re asking?
Are you referring to antagonistic or stabalizing muscles when you use the term “complementary?”
I think I am going more for what Patricia said…like what she said about deads and squats…yes.
Oh,while we’re at it,I might as well ask…
I started barbell lunges today.I seemed imbalanced a little.What muscles should I work to work those I guess…stabilizer muscles?
Just keep doing lunges or should I work on those stabilizers with another exercise?
For the life of me, I couldn’t even think of “antagonistic”…I guess my coffee hadn’t even kicked in yet…
Patricia ;-)
A “complementary exercise” is a movement that adds to the performance of the exercise in question. For example, if your main lift is the bench press, lying tricep extensions would be a complementary exercise because they would presumably create more strength in the triceps and improve performance on the bench… If this is what you mean, then squats have a few complementary exercises…namely RDL’s, Good mornings, Reverse hypers, et cetera. These exercises will “compliment” the work you do on squats and lead to better performance.
Hope This Helps!
Horizontal pulling: Seated/Bent Rows
Horizontal Pushing: Bench Press
Vertical Pulling: Pull Ups
Vertical Pushing: Shoulder Press
Upper Arm: Bicep Curls/Dips/Close Grip Bench/overhead tricep ext.
Lower Arm: Forearm Flexion/Extension
Hip Dominant: Deadlift/Cleans
Quad Dominant: Squats
Lower Back: Stiff legged Deadlift/Good Mornings
Calves: Calf Raise/Toe Ups
Neck: Shrugs
KraigY
refering to the squat, it depends on your foot positioning and motion. I did a set of breathing squats going gltes to calves with a shoulder width and my quads, hams, and glutes were all hammered. If you wanted to work the legs ina n antagonistic way then you would do leg extensions and hamstring curls. The squat is to much of a full leg workout. laters pk