BUILD YOUR FITNESS WITH BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES

With gyms being open again you’re probably thinking you need to ditch the bodyweight workouts and get back on the treadmill and other cardio machines. But there is no need to. Bodyweight workouts can also be a great way to help you build fitness and also strength. They are a great starting point for those who are new to exercise and those looking to improve their performance.

The Benefits Of Bodyweight Exercises:

  1. There are a wide range of bodyweight exercises ranging from beginner to advanced. They can be modified for whatever fitness level you are and can be incredibly challenging and beneficial. Progressing the exercises is also very straightforward, so you can keep challenging yourself and building strength.
  2. You can take them anywhere you want. The good thing about these exercises is that you don’t need a gym. You can do them in a park or in the comfort of your own home. So you could actually be saving the cost a month gym if you didn’t enjoy it or don’t have the time to go.
  3. Finding quick, effective workouts is essential for some. If you lead a busy lifestyle and struggle to find the time to go to the gym, then you can fit in a 20-30min workout whenever you have some spare time, wherever you are. You can combine strength, plyometrics and aerobics movements to really get the heart rate up and burn a lot of calories in a short period of time.
  4. If you are new to resistance training or even just exercise in general performing bodyweight exercises is a good place to start. You may struggle with balance, posture or mobility so trying these exercises will help you identify your weaknesses. I wouldn’t go straight into weight lifting or running without assessing these things first, otherwise it could result in injuries down the line.
  5. You’re not going to become an athlete through this type of training but you can build your cardiovascular fitness and lose fat. There’s a limit of bodyweight exercises you can do so you will eventually become used to this and will find it hard to build anymore lean muscle.
  6. The movements involved in bodyweight training can help to increase mobility and challenge the body’s stabilisers by using complete movements. This can in turn, lead to better performance and strength in the gym.

My Final Thoughts:

Bodyweight exercises are a great place to start if you’re new to the health and fitness world. You can take them anywhere you want and can be done in a short period of time. If you don’t have the confidence to go to the gym you can complete the workouts at home.

There are dozens of bodyweight moves that can replace your favourite gym equipment, but here are a few of my favourites.

My Top Bodyweight Exercises:

  1. Squats
  2. Step Ups/Lunges
  3. Single Leg Deadlifts
  4. Single Leg Glute Bridge
  5. Press Ups incline/decline
  6. Tricep Dips
  7. Plank
  8. Pull Ups
  9. Mountain Climbers
  10. Jumping Jacks
  11. Squat Jumps
  12. Walk Outs

If you are considering a personal trainer and want more exercise advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a personal training free trial.