8.20.2007
Keep These 3 Things in Mind for Bodyweight Training Success
One of the great advantages of bodyweight training is that it is easily adjustable to anyone. Think of little kids running around the playground, climbing ladders, swinging on swings, and just having a good time.
Or theres a yoga instructor going through certain poses and maintaining a specific form while concentrating on breath control and serenity.
And finally we have a Navy Seal in training, going through a brutal regimen of up-downs, rope climbing, squats and the like.
All of these exist on the same continuum, its up to you to adapt bodyweight training to your needs.
Now, regardless of your overall goals, you need to keep a few things in mind:
1. You need to actually "do it" to derive benefits from bodyweight training and that means keeping a consistent schedule. If you are only training once a month, don't wonder why you aren't getting results I would recommend 3 x per week at the very least.
2. Understand that with so many exercises and ways to train, there is still a limit to:
a) how much exercise you can do, and
b) how much exercise you can benefit from in a given session.
As you grow stronger these limits will, of course, adjust themselves.
Also remember that a half hour of good training will beat 3 hours of "going through the motions" every time.
3. You can make bodyweight training as challenging as you want (or need) to.
For some people, a set of 100 bodyweight squats is a pretty lofty goal. Others can pop that out without breaking a sweat. If you need a further challenge, find out what your limit is and go just a bit beyond it. Or adjust your form, or cut down on rest time, or do more reps.
Either way, its up to you to make it happen.
Train Hard,
John Wood
P.S. Brad Johnson is a guy into strange and usual bodyweight exercises, I suspect he may be able to give you a few ideas on how to make your bodyweight training very interesting. Find out more here: Bodyweight Exercises for Extraordinary Strength by Brad Johnson
Or theres a yoga instructor going through certain poses and maintaining a specific form while concentrating on breath control and serenity.
And finally we have a Navy Seal in training, going through a brutal regimen of up-downs, rope climbing, squats and the like.
All of these exist on the same continuum, its up to you to adapt bodyweight training to your needs.
Now, regardless of your overall goals, you need to keep a few things in mind:
1. You need to actually "do it" to derive benefits from bodyweight training and that means keeping a consistent schedule. If you are only training once a month, don't wonder why you aren't getting results I would recommend 3 x per week at the very least.
2. Understand that with so many exercises and ways to train, there is still a limit to:
a) how much exercise you can do, and
b) how much exercise you can benefit from in a given session.
As you grow stronger these limits will, of course, adjust themselves.
Also remember that a half hour of good training will beat 3 hours of "going through the motions" every time.
3. You can make bodyweight training as challenging as you want (or need) to.
For some people, a set of 100 bodyweight squats is a pretty lofty goal. Others can pop that out without breaking a sweat. If you need a further challenge, find out what your limit is and go just a bit beyond it. Or adjust your form, or cut down on rest time, or do more reps.
Either way, its up to you to make it happen.
Train Hard,
John Wood
P.S. Brad Johnson is a guy into strange and usual bodyweight exercises, I suspect he may be able to give you a few ideas on how to make your bodyweight training very interesting. Find out more here: Bodyweight Exercises for Extraordinary Strength by Brad Johnson
Labels: Bodyweight Training, Training Ideas, Training Thought
