'best' exercises

[chuckman]

If you have limited time in which to work out, and could only do 2-3 exercises per body part (i.e., arms, chest, shoulders, back), gym or no gym, what would you do?

[nubs101]

Squat, deadlift, bench press, and pull up. You may want to look at a Starting Strength. Its a routine that doesn't require many exercises but is great for building strength.

[Dos Cylindros]

Well, gym or no gym is the kicker so here is what I think.

Biceps and back: Pull ups, chin ups and behind the head pull ups (can't remember what they are called). Plus pull ups and their variations work all kinds of other muscles as well

Chest and triceps: Different varriations of push ups. Regular push ups, wide push ups and pushups with your hands together. Throw in some dips on a chair also.

Legs: I'm going to say distance running, because you also get the added cardio. For those with time issues, lunges and squats (body weight).

With these, you would have all your bases covered and save a bar to do pull ups, you would not need any equipment.

[LMT42]

If you have limited time in which to work out, and could only do 2-3 exercises per body part (i.e., arms, chest, shoulders, back), gym or no gym, what would you do?

Did you mean 2-3 sets per body part? If I have limited time, I'm doing one exercise per body part (3-5 sets).

Squat, deadlift, bench press, and pull up.

This, but add the military press too.

Well, gym or no gym is the kicker so here is what I think.

Yes, this is a vague post. Gym or no gym? What do you want out of your workout? Strength, mass, overall physical fitness, etc.?

[chuckman]

Not vague at all; if you think it is vague, then you read too much into it. If not specified, then make your choices based on your opinion.

Thanks to all for input.

[Hizzie]

Big compound movements:

Squats
Benchpress
Military Press
Deadlifts
Cleans
Dips
Chins/Pullups
Core Work

I too would suggest Starting Strength (3rd Edition)by Mark Rippetoe for a beginner or intermediate. The Strongest Shall Survive by Bill Starr is an excellent program to follow SS. I have also used with great success Dante Trudel's DoggCrapp (DC) Training. DC workouts are quick and brutal but not for the novice or early intermediate.

[WillBrink]

If you have limited time in which to work out, and could only do 2-3 exercises per body part (i.e., arms, chest, shoulders, back), gym or no gym, what would you do?

Depends on goals, experience levels, what you have access to, days per week you can put to it, and other variables. With appropriate choice of exercise and loading, 1-2 exercise per body part is sufficient depending on frequency.

As already mentioned, good info on exercise choice, loading, programming, etc found in Starting Strength by Rippetoe.

[prov15]

Turkish Get-up, with basically any heavy object you can hold in one hand.

Works entire body with one exercise.

[benthughes]

Benchpress, pull up and squats. Get someone to show you proper form on dead lifts before starting those and don't try to be a hero when doing them.

Body weight exercises I'd say 1 legged squats, pushups with variations, planks and rows with whatever you have laying around.

Stick with compound exercises.

When I only have about 30 minutes to workout I do density training in this fashion: barbell with whatever weight I can do with good form. 10 straight leg deadlifts, 10 bent over rows, 10 clean and presses. Do one right after the other, no rest. Rest 1-2 minutes between sets and do 3-4.

[ridgerunner70]

Wendlers 5/3/1 even has an app to track your progress and assistance work. If you don't have time for assistance work he says don't do it.