If you have been working out for some time you have surely begin to notice that some of the people that are working out on the days you go to the gym seem to be in a different state of fitness. They may all have lean strong bodies but the overall fitness level seems some how different.
If you have made it to this point then you are definitely thinking along the lines of making your body as fit as possible. Full body workouts are great and even if you have reached the level that have won you a few titles there is still more you can achieve in addition to continuing your full body workouts.
That brings us to the meaning of the term full body all together. For a novice the term loosely refers to working all of the major muscle groups in one session. These exercises are designed to work each muscle completely in that one session. Now you are at a point that you need a full body workout boost.
Switching from a full body workout to a total body regimen means that you not only do resistance training but that you also train in some of the other areas like cardio as well. Strength and cardio are fine but still that leaves a lot of the body not accounted for. Most people see cardio exercises as a fat burning tool, which of course it is. It also strengthens a muscle you cannot see and that is the heart.
If you are a bodybuilder then you cannot continue to ignore the parts of the body that are no as readily seen as those ripped abs and tight pecs. There are about seven different ways for you train for instance strength training can be done in infinite combinations and in between competitions they will keep you from becoming bored. You can explore different variations and see what benefits there are to be gained once you have achieved the benefit move along to another one.
Though a lot of bodybuilders think that they do not have time for cardio except as a way to get off any excess fat they generally do not do enough of it to really gain the heart strengthening benefits. You should attempt to include both aerobic and anaerobic exercise in your workouts at least twice a week.
Agility and speed training can add a new level to your competitive form. Any exercise that includes dexterity would be great to incorporate into a routine during your off season. People do not see bodybuilders as being either fast or especially agile. The fact is carrying around that much bulk can make you look pretty awkward. Practicing skills that improve both will help you to be more comfortable in your own skin.
Finally there is flexibility training, this is especially important for bodybuilders. This type of training involves stretching to ensure all the muscles, joints and connective tissue has full range and freedom of movement. Being flexible also helps you to prevent injuries. Muscles will shorten every year if you do not continue to stretch them the short stodgy muscles will look rather out of place on you.
