Bodyweight Exercises: One Less Excuse for Skipping Your Workout
Several fitness enthusiasts will argue you like there’s no tomorrow on how weight training is 10 X better than bodyweight training. In their opinion, if anybody wishes to get fit and ripped, it does not get better than training with weights.
We beg to differ.
We are not claiming that weight training won’t help; it will, it does! Weight training has its own set of benefits to it, in fact its benefits are so huge that they sometimes overshadow the benefits of bodyweight training. And that is what we have a problem with. There is a huge misconception out there regarding bodyweight exercises that it is “just for beginners.”
While someone who has never lifted a weight in their entire life may have better luck at doing a lunge than performing a deadlift, this does not mean bodyweight training doesn’t have much to offer. Take a look at some of its major advantages:
1: Convenience:
Hands down, one of the biggest advantages you get from bodyweight training is that no matter where you are, you can easily do a killer workout since you don’t need any equipment or special machinery to do so. All you need is just a good pair of trainers and you’re good to go!
2: Greater Mobility:
Another awesome thing about bodyweight training is that they allow your body to move the way it is supposed to! This is called “functional fitness” and nothing gets your body more functionally fit than bodyweight exercises.
3: Stronger Joints:
Bodyweight exercises can improve the condition of your joints and tendons which consequently makes you stronger. So the next time someone tells you that weight training is the only thing that can help you get stronger, you might want to read this fact out loud to them.
Oh, and did you know that stronger joints also means fewer chances of getting injured?
4: Improved Athletic Performance:
If you have ever watched sports, you might have noticed how they are twisting and turning their bodies throughout the entire time they are on field?
Well, bodyweight training can help you with that too! This point is again linked to functional fitness.
5: Burns Fat, Build Muscle:
Bodyweight training can help you burn fat and build muscle too.
While a standard push up might not help you get there that fast, a one arm push up will definitely help!
6: So Many Variations:
Another awesome thing about bodyweight training is the number of variations it has! Irrespective of the fitness level you may be at, you can experiment with those variations and keep the workout from getting bored.
Our recommended advice is to inculcate weights into your bodyweight training routine so that you get the best of both worlds: try a simple lunge with holding weights by your side.
