OK...What exactly constitues a "compound movement?"

[fkight2000]

Alright...before the flaming starts, just let me qualify my question:

There seems to be some disagreement at the gym where I work out. An ongoing debate is raging about what a compound movement really is. One camp of guys say that a compound movement is any exercise that employs more than one muscle group, while another group says a compound movement is any exercise that involves multiple joint systems. A few other guys have their own ideas that involve neither distinction. And, let me say, these guys are veteran powerlifters, bodybuilders and fitness instructors that are damn well educated about anatomy and exercise physiology.

It seems to me that each of these views are off-base, because they don't really hang together under scrutiny.

So what do you guys think? What is a 'compound movement' exercise, and what makes it so?

 

[ZZuluZ]

Multi Jointed movement, technically speaking, I believe.

-Zulu

 

[spatts]

Correct...it is an exercise that involves 2 or more joint involvements.

 

[GRIMMER]

Which in turn will involve 2 or more muscles

 

[Screwball]

Absolutely! Multiple joints and muscle groups will be involved in all compound movements. These movements are the best for building strength AND size. IMHO.