The Perfect Anytime, Anywhere Workout!
Enjoy a fast-paced walk, stopping to do some Calisthenics (or body weight) training in a park! A great well rounded exercise. Photo courtesy of Charly Caldwell II.
With so many of us hunkered down and working from, it can be challenging to find a workout to fit your space and fit your needs.
Not to worry.
You already own the most versatile and potentially challenging piece of equipment available today...
Your body.
If you’re not sold, think ‘Cirque Du Soleil’ meets ‘American Ninja Warrior’?
The unique combination of strength, stability, and control required to perform such acts is unlike anything else.
Visually, it’s one of the most eye-catching feats of strength possible, but being able to suspend yourself in mid-air is much more than just showing off your strength.
Training the body without the use of external resistance equipment, such as free weights, dumbbells or cables, is known as calisthenics. It’s been around since the dawn of humanity, and thankfully, it’s available to all of us.
Calisthenics, or bodyweight training, is the oldest and noblest form of exercise.
Way before the invention of the modern gym, using only our bodies for resistance was not just the best way to train, it was the only way.
Working out, like life, should be fun and pure. No training style embodies these elements quite like calisthenics, which celebrates the use of our whole body cohesively, rather than attempting to isolate small body parts one-at-a-time.
Furthermore, employing numerous muscle groups promotes greater overall strength.
Pull ups, for example, use the biceps, latissimus dorsi (back), abdominals, shoulders and more.
No machine comes close to simulating any similar type of overall effect or strength gain.
The ability to confidently pull your body up and over a real object is a lot more impressive than the ability to move a weight stack straight up and down a machine.
And while the classic pullup is undoubtedly one of the best exercises out there, the realm of bodyweight training goes far beyond basics like pull ups and push-ups.
In progressive calisthenics training, progress is made by moving onto more challenging movements, not by simply adding weight to the same exercise.
A beginner may start out with kneeling push-ups and bodyweight squats, while more advanced athletes can work on one-arm push-ups and single-leg squats.
And don’t be fooled by what appears simplistic.
Once you master pull ups, you can begin working toward a one-arm pull up, meaning there are no limits on how far you can challenge yourself both physically and mentally.
Standard calisthenics exercises to master include (use Google for reference):
- pull ups,
- handstands,
- back bridging,
- single-leg squats,
- push up variations,
- frog stands,
- front levers,
- elbow levers,
- L-sits,
- back levers and more.
Assembling a fun and challenging workout without relying on a lot of equipment or space has never been easier of more fulfilling.
Give it a try, the results might surprise you!
Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist and Tony Robbins Results Coach from Fort Myers, Florida. She also is a Corrective Biomechanics Specialist, USA Triathlon Advanced Level 2 coach, USA Cycling coach, has a Specialty in Sports Nutrition certification, and a PhD in results!
If you're looking for continual support, direction, guidance & accountability join Angie's Monthly Program here, and we'll help you look, feel and be your very best!
