Isolating specific muscles can be useful in limited circumstances. But most of us will get better health and fitness results with compound functional movements that engage multiple muscle groups.
You are right of course in that exercising just a single muscle and neglecting the rest isn’t ideal. But as one of the trainers I’ve worked with told me, first you work on large muscle groups with free weights which has the benefit of exercising small stabilizer muscles as well, but then you if you want to take it further you will need to exercise more specific muscle groups or even individual muscles.
Also as others pointed out, this website seems full of exercises that target large muscle groups. I actually struggled to find a more targeted exercise for a couple of specific muscles I am interested in exercising, which isn’t to say the site isn’t useful to me, just that I need to do more research.
I can't think of an exercise that is more representative of "compound functional movements" than a back squat.
These moves will never isolate specific muscles, and do precisely what you suggest. They work many groups, and smaller stabilization muscles at the same time.
The only way you can really isolate specific muscles is to use static machines. Still better than not working out, but not optimal.
So fear not, these are all great moves to learn! Just be careful to take it slow, and practice good technique. Not worth getting injured from being careless.
This seems to be more of, pick muscle I want to improve, and learn a few moves that involve those muscles. As you would expect, a lot of moves apply to multiple muscles.
Edit: I found a few machine workouts on there, mostly leg stuff. The large majority are free weight moves though.
The problem with all of these exercise sites is that people have different weaknesses, need specific programming and learning how to do complex movements from watching videos is suspect at best.
highly individualized beginner training is like making minor corrections to a lump of clay. you don't even have a sculpture yet - there's nothing to correct.
Watching videos and doing general exercises will not address these issues. They may actually make them worse.
People with bad posture and weak bodies just need one thing: start exercising today. Start with weak weights / body weight. Ignore the hand wringing online unless you're 70+.
yes, I have huge quads. what are your credentials?
I really wonder how many people are so quick to give advice on things they have no real world experience dealing with.
That’s what you said, and I stand by my paraphrased assessment. Essentially watching a workout tape is bad for you is what you said whether that is what was intended.
a) if you are not making progress. b) if you are.
This isn't a controversial statement. I'd love to know how many snark responses are coming from people who actually have experience training.
Seems to be this modern disease of the internet era where everyone assumes they know everything just by reading about it on their computers, with no respect given to actual experience doing the work.
I'd point out that the site also lets you target areas for stretches, which for me is awesome.
Isolation work is great for people with injuries and imbalances and requires less coordination and skill than compound "functional" movements.
There is a time and place for both, and you should let a professional recommend which is best.
You can't just throw 5x5/starting strength/stronglifts at everyone.