If you’ve ever been intimidated by the idea of going to the gym because you aren’t sure what to do when you get there, this post is for you.

First things first, training requires a goal to be effective. Think about your most physically demanding activity of any given season. Do you shovel snow in the winter? Are you planning on moving house soon? Maybe you just want to be able to get up if you fall down. All of these tasks have a movement pattern that uses a specific chain of muscles in unison. These motions are a great place to start when writing a workout program.

Most exercise routines can be broken down into 6 motions that highlight the most physically demanding tasks a human body tends to perform. We can think of these movements as your guide to training based on movement goals. Check out the slide show below to learn about the 6 big body movements that makeup a full body workout.

Once you have an idea of what movements you want to target, it may be time to ask a professional to help you make the most out of your workout. If you’re looking for a program to get you to your fitness goals, schedule a free consult call and we’ll help you get started.