| Many athletes (as well as the casual exerciser), feel | | | | switching between strength exercises and "cardio" |
| that they can get absolutely no benefit from | | | | exercises seamlessly... which is an excellent way to |
| bodyweight training. They feel it's too easy for them. | | | | train. |
| But i feel this is a big mistake because bodyweight | | | | Plus, exercise is really a question of movement. And |
| exercises are essential for training athletes, as well as | | | | there are two types of movement: moving your own |
| help exercisers of all skill levels burn fat, build strong | | | | body through space, and moving objects through |
| muscles and improve fitness. Lets look at some things | | | | space. I would argue that for most athletes, being able |
| advanced athletes and regular exercisers can do to | | | | to control and move your own body around with |
| make their workouts even more intense using | | | | strength, balance, flexibility and coordination is going to |
| bodyweight training. | | | | help your perform better. And for the regular exerciser, |
| Here is what happens: We have been brainwashed to | | | | bodyweight training is important to prepare your for the |
| believe physical training is resistance Training (weight | | | | physical and mental challenges you face in your |
| lifting) and Cardio. We do sets and reps of a certain | | | | everyday life. |
| exercise to target a certain muscle group with certain | | | | My recommendation is to blur the lines between |
| rest periods. Then after we are done treating the body | | | | strength training and cardiorespiratory training in the |
| like a bunch of parts, we do some aerobic cardio to | | | | same bodyweight workout. For example, complete a |
| improve the heart and lungs. So, athletes think that | | | | circuit of push up, air squats and crunches as fast as |
| doing a workout with only the resistance of their own | | | | possible without rest, and then do 50 jumping jacks |
| body is too easy because there is no added | | | | before repeating the circuit 2-5 times... and repeat for |
| resistance. And here's the thing... if you are only getting | | | | 20 minutes without rest. This type of bodyweight |
| the inflated muscles of bodybuilders, they are probably | | | | workout targets all your muscles as well as your heart |
| right. | | | | and lungs and trains the body to work as one |
| However, I believe the body should be trained as one | | | | complete unit. |
| complete unit. The entire body, all the muscles as well | | | | I encourage you to add bodyweight training to your |
| as the heart and lungs should be challenged at the | | | | overall workout program regardless of whether you |
| same time. The lines between resistance training and | | | | are a high-performance athlete or just a regular |
| cardio training need to be blurred. I would ask the | | | | exerciser trying to improve fitness and control your |
| athletes, "Is your sport done in a compartmentalized | | | | weight. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how |
| way with robotic actions where strength and | | | | effective bodyweight training can be. And when your |
| cardiorespiratory endurance are separate? Or, is your | | | | heart is pounding, your breathing is hard and you are |
| entire body needed to work in unison in order to excel | | | | laying on the ground in a pool of your own sweat, ask |
| at your sport?" Bodyweight training is great for | | | | yourself... "Are bodyweight exercises too easy? |
