In this episode of The GOOD IDEA Audio Blog, Dr. Colleen Gulick breaks down the science and strategy behind the best compound exercises for total-body strength and metabolic efficiency, and why these moves deserve a permanent spot in your workout routine. Compound exercises recruit multiple muscle groups at once, helping you build strength faster, boost calorie burn, and improve glucose uptake, all in less time.

You’ll hear why compound movements like lunges, squats, deadlifts, pull-ups, and bench press are so effective, how they support everyday movement, and how resistance training complements metabolic health strategies like blood sugar regulation and improved insulin sensitivity.

We also connect strength training to your metabolic toolkit, with practical insights on how exercise can help control blood sugar during and after workouts, and why pairing exercise with nutrition matters.

🔗 Topics & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
👉 Why You Should Be Testing Your Fasting Insulin Levels (Not Just Glucose) – dive deeper into metabolic markers and long-term metabolic health improvements.
👉 How to Use a CGM For Health and Performance – explore what your continuous glucose monitor may show during and after workouts.
👉 Beginner’s Guide to Exercise for Metabolic Health – foundational exercise tips if you’re just getting started (sample workouts included).

Whether you’re new to strength training or want to make your workouts more efficient, this episode gives you actionable guidance to build strength and optimize metabolic health. Hit play and happy lifting!