Major Muscle Groups to Workout

Approximately 40% of body mass is made up of muscle tissue;

The purpose of much of it is to move bones.

"There are three different types of muscle"

1. Smooth Muscle e.g. arteries & stomach

2. Cardiac Muscle e.g. the muscles of the heart.

3. Striated Muscle e.g. arms & legs etc.

The first two are primarily concerned with involuntary actions. Striated or skeletal muscle, so names because of its striped appearance, generally performs voluntary movements. Skeletal muscle is attached to bone via tendons; on contraction it pulls on the lever system of the body and human movement occurs.

There are more than 400 muscles in the body, but those of major importance to you are the ones below.

1. Trapezius

2. Triceps

3. Lattisimus Dorsi

4. Gluteus Maximus

5. Biceps Femoris

6. Gastrocnemius

7. Teres Major

8. Infraspinatus

9. Finger extensors

10. Semitendinosus

11. Semimembranosus

12. Deltoid

13. Pectoralis Major

14. Biceps Brachii

15. Brachialis

16. Rectus Abdominus

17. Brachioradialis

18. External Oblique

19. Finger Flexors

20. Adductor Longus

21. Sartorius

22. Gracillis

23. Vastus Lateralis/Medialis

24. Tibialis Anterior

"Muscles only pull, they do no push"

The primary action of skeletal muscles is pulling. Muscles do not push.

An example is the biceps muscle, which pulls the forearm to the shoulder. The biceps plays no role in straightening the arm. It is the triceps muscles that pull the arm so that it is straightened to an extended position.