While basic
lower body compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, leg presses and lunges do train the glutes effectively on their own, direct glute training is still necessary if you're wanting to build these muscles up to their maximum size and strength potential.
Working the pecs, lats, shoulders, triceps and even legs to a small degree the bench press deserves its spot at the top of the pecking order for
upper body compound exercises.
Nonetheless, it appears that isometric core exercises such as the plank, as well as dynamic abdominal exercises such as the straight - leg sit up, produce greater rectus abdominis muscle activity than many upper body and
lower body compound exercises.
Barbell rows are a full
body compound exercise.
Squats are a full
body compound exercise that works your whole body.
The Squat is a full
body compound exercise.
The deadlift is another full
body compound exercise and is probably the best one you can do as it involves just about every joint and major muscle group in the body.
Furthermore, the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle activity are highly active during upper
body compound exercises.
Erector spinae muscle activity is greater when performing lower
body compound exercises compared with upper body compound exercises at moderate and high relative loads, regardless of surface stability.