One-Hour Full-Body Workout Using Compound Movements
If you’re looking to maximize your time at the gym, compound movements are the way to go. These exercises target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, helping you build strength, improve coordination, and burn more calories in less time.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through a one-hour full-body workout featuring compound movements using various types of gym equipment. Whether you’re training at home or in a gym, this workout will leave you feeling strong and accomplished!
What Are Compound Movements?
Compound movements are exercises that engage multiple joints and muscle groups at once. Unlike isolation exercises (like bicep curls), compound exercises deliver a bigger bang for your buck.
Benefits of Compound Movements:
- Efficiency: Work multiple muscles in one exercise.
- Strength Gains: Build overall power and functional strength.
- Calorie Burn: Higher intensity leads to more calories burned.
- Balance and Coordination: Engage stabilizing muscles for improved athletic performance.
The Full-Body Compound Workout (60 Minutes)
Warm-Up (5–10 Minutes)
Before starting, ensure your body is primed for movement:
- Rowing Machine: 3 minutes at a moderate pace.
- Dynamic Stretching: Include leg swings, arm circles, and torso twists.
- Bodyweight Squats: 2 sets of 10 reps to activate your lower body.
Workout Structure
Time: 45–50 minutes
Equipment: Barbell, dumbbells, kettlebells, pull-up bar, cable machine
Perform 3 sets of 10–12 reps for each exercise, resting 60–90 seconds between sets.
1. Barbell Deadlifts
- Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, glutes, back, core
- How to Do It: With feet hip-width apart, grip the barbell just outside your legs. Hinge at the hips, keeping your back straight, and lift the barbell to standing. Lower it with control.
2. Dumbbell Bench Press
- Muscles Worked: Chest, shoulders, triceps
- How to Do It: Lie on a flat bench with dumbbells in hand. Press them upward until your arms are fully extended, then lower back to starting position.
3. Pull-Ups (Assisted if Needed)
- Muscles Worked: Back, biceps, shoulders
- How to Do It: Using a pull-up bar, grip it with palms facing away. Pull your chin over the bar, then lower yourself slowly. Use a resistance band or assisted machine if necessary.
4. Kettlebell Swings
- Muscles Worked: Glutes, hamstrings, lower back, core
- How to Do It: With feet shoulder-width apart, hold the kettlebell with both hands. Swing it between your legs, then thrust your hips forward to bring the kettlebell to shoulder height.
5. Barbell Front Squats
- Muscles Worked: Quads, glutes, core, shoulders
- How to Do It: Hold the barbell across your shoulders (front rack position). Keep your chest up as you lower into a squat, then drive back up to standing.
6. Cable Machine Face Pulls
- Muscles Worked: Rear delts, traps, upper back
- How to Do It: Using a cable machine with a rope attachment, pull the rope toward your face, keeping your elbows high. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together.
7. Dumbbell Renegade Rows
- Muscles Worked: Back, shoulders, core
- How to Do It: In a push-up position, hold dumbbells on the floor. Row one dumbbell toward your side while balancing on the other arm, then alternate.
8. Medicine Ball Slams
- Muscles Worked: Core, shoulders, legs
- How to Do It: Hold a medicine ball overhead, then slam it forcefully onto the ground. Pick it up and repeat.
Cool Down (5–10 Minutes)
End your session with light stretching to improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness:
- Hamstring Stretch – 1 minute per leg
- Cat-Cow Stretch – 1 minute
- Shoulder Stretch – 30 seconds per arm
- Deep Breathing – 2 minutes
Why This Workout Works
This one-hour full-body routine maximizes your time by targeting every major muscle group with compound movements. By incorporating a variety of gym equipment—barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and cables—you’ll build strength, improve endurance, and enhance functional fitness.
Pro Tip: Use progressive overload by increasing the weight slightly each week to keep challenging your muscles and seeing results.
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