Bodyweight Exercises

Consider that, pound for pound the strongest most powerful, yet incredibly flexible athletes on this earth are ones that condition themselves through bodyweight exercises. Gymnasts, wrestlers, dancers and martial artists all leave little doubt this type of exercise works.

Although I had incorporated calisthenics into both mine and my client’s routines, they were never the foundation of the program. For years I had used body weight exercises as an alternative to weight training when weights were inaccessible or for a change of pace in my workouts.

I remember one particular occasion, working out in a club that I also worked as a Personal Trainer. The facility was well equipped with both strength training and cardiovascular machines valued at well over $100,000. Yet here I was, down on the floor doing push-ups. Mike, one of our regular members looked over at me like I was crazy and asked, “Why are you doing push ups when you could be benching?” My answer at the time was, “just for some variety.”

Looking back, I believe intuitively I knew that push ups provided a better overall workout than the bench press. Possibly, the only reason I lifted weights all those years was due to influence from outside sources telling me lifting weights was the only or best way to improve my strength.

Although I still believe in lifting weights, I no longer believe it is the best way to condition our muscles. Since altering my workouts to include a variety of body weight exercises as the foundation of my program (I still perform a few weight lifting exercises which are included in this program), my overall condition has never been better. I am strong, flexible and have excellent endurance. I can participate in virtually any activity I choose, without undue fatigue.

Isn’t it time you gave a bodyweight exercise routine a try? To learn more about bodyweight exercises, click here.