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Fitness
Working different muscle groups
Different kinds of exercises work different muscle groups. You should try to work all of your muscles each week. Some exercises work many muscles, so this is not as hard as you might think!
Below is a list of exercises and the kinds of muscles used for each exercise:
Exercise |
Muscles Worked |
|---|---|
Push-ups |
Chest, shoulders, arms, abdominals |
Sit-ups |
Abdominals |
Jumping Jacks |
Calves (lower leg), inner/outer thigh, butt |
Running |
Calves, front/back thigh |
Jumping rope |
Calves, thighs, abdominals, shoulders, arms |
Swimming |
Nearly all major muscles |
Dancing |
Nearly all major muscles (depending on type of dance) |
Walking |
Arms, calves, front/back thigh, abdominals |
Squats |
Calves, front/back thigh, butt |
Inline Skating |
Inner/outer thigh, butt |
Hula Hoop |
Lower back, abdominals |
SOURCE: American Council on Exercise
Content last updated February 20, 2009
