Compound vs. Isolation Exercises First some quick clarification…compound exercises move the body through more than one joint movement, while isolation exercises only move the body through a single-joint movement. Probably the best exercise to demonstrate the difference is the barbell squat. This “king” of all compound exercises moves your body using a majority of your muscle groups and bends you at your ankles, knees, waist, hips, and to some degree, even your shoulders. Compare this to an...