fbpx
  • Start Here
  • Consultation
  • Store
  • Podcast
  • Get Certified
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Course Login

Zach Even-Esh

Blog » How I Use QUICK Bodyweight Workouts for Added Strength AND Size

How I Use QUICK Bodyweight Workouts for Added Strength AND Size

by Zach Even - Esh 8 Comments

I wish I started gymnastics when I was younger!

I wish I started gymnastics when I was younger! It's NEVER too late.

The power of bodyweight training has always been evident to me.

I began doing push ups and pull ups on an almost daily basis when I was finishing 8th grade and was 13 1/2 years young.

At age 14 I was doing 20 pull ups with ease and have been doing over 20 pull ups in a row even while weighing 220 lbs.

When in doubt, I go with bodyweight exercises. They never hurt me or make me feel too old. They never make my joints feel like shit either.

Thank you, Sir, may I have another! About 7 or so years ago I tested training 2 days in a row.

I had great success following this program but I also KNOW that things don't work the same 7 years later, especially as your body changes.

I explain this program in this video. Check it out...

I will admit that at age 38, I am for the first time experiencing the "feeling my age" thing.

But, I do NOT cave in and accept ANY weakness, instead, I am changing things in my favor and doing more Bodyweight training is one of those BIG things happening right now.

But, make no mistake about it, Bodyweight training is NOT just for "old guys" or beginners or people working around injuries. No way.

Bodyweight training is serious stuff. The endless possibilities of constantly advancing are exactly that, endless.

It's different than always adding weight to the bar. It's a different challenge and a different feeling of strength, power and control over your own body. Don't knock bodyweight training until you give it a solid commitment.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

Live The Code 365.

Z

Calisthenics Mass by Coach Paul Wade

Details HERE

Convict-Conditioning-Mass

(Visited 328 times, 3 visits today)

Filed Under: Articles, Bodyweight Bodybuilding, Muscle Building, Q & A, Strength Building, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts Tagged With: bodyweight bodybuilding, calistehnics, calisthenics, convict conditioning, edison, front lever, gymnastics, handstand push ups, manasquan, paul wade, pistol squat, underground strength gym

FREE gifts & advice

Unnamed_(1)

Get exclusive training advice from me, Zach Even-Esh, and I'll also send you these FREE gifts.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

I HATE spam as much as you. Powered by ConvertKit

Comments

  1. Sven says

    at

    Having had several herniated discs 2yrs ago – calisthenics is the way to go for me personally.
    Having boxed in the amateurs for a couple of years the old-school training style using only your body has als been poured into me and is here to stay.

    As you mentioned – bodyweight exercises dont beat you up as badly as pure weight training. I find a good mix to be perfect so that weights enhance bodyweight training and the other way around. Because of my backproblems I cant go for heavy loads anymore – but I can do deadlifts, moderate Oly-lifting etc. Something I wouldn’t have thought possible 2 yrs ago when I couldn’t even lift my legs.

    Also I truly believe that true body strength can only be expressed when you can actually move your body in time & space. Meaning true body strength does need an athletic component. Whats the use of a 220lbs+X body if you cant do a pure pullup, go for a run, sprint, jump and climb over obstacles, etc.?

    Personally I’m not interested in looking strong – I want to be strong in the mind and have great relative strength. I’d rather be able to climb a 20ft rope 5x in a row, do handstand pushups and be able to walk on hands for 60ft, etc. than have a 400+ deadlift.
    But thats just me,…
    Rant over, …
    Cheers

    Reply
  2. Gary Larrison says

    at

    Great video Zach. At 67 yrs. old strength is important but mobility and movement trump all, if you are barbell strong but move poorly you are not a good athlete no matter what age. You have some really great ideas that I will be using….Thanks for all you do Zach.

    Gary Larrison

    Reply
    • Zach says

      at

      Gary, I am with you ALL day, Boss, and I miss you, my man!!!

      Keep crushing it!

      Reply
  3. Mike Guardiola says

    at

    You mentioned Yoga in one of your blogs earlier this week. Man, Yoga is the reason I can now lift heavy stuff overhead. I found that if I start with a basic Hatha Yoga warm up and end with a basic Hatha cool down my muscles are not only ready for complexes, but my joints seems to move with more stability. Namely my shoulder joints. It feels good to throw something heavy overhead a few times a week w/o worrying if I’ll be able to wrestle with my boy or not. I’ll be 41 in June and I could annihilate my 18 year old self. A surge of energy goes through your body when you can walk with no pain from your workouts.

    Respect to all you Undergrounders

    MG

    Reply
    • Zach says

      at

      Mike, right on!!! I LOVE to hear this!!! Keep doing what works for YOU!

      Reply
  4. Coach BiGD says

    at

    Great video! I love the feel of steel tearing into my back and shins. I can do it because I take care of my body. More now than ever.
    We are the same age and in the game almost as long (from a training standpoint). I started in olympic lifting, went bodybuilding and now I do strongman/powerlifting/olympic lifting. Sure I am sore but that is part of the game. I am sure after the first day of war with the 300 Spartans many were sore, but that is part of the game.
    Lay down and cry or get up/dust off and fight!
    I choose to fight!
    My best friends are a lacrosse ball and foam roller. At 275# I can do 15 pullups. I can do push ups and handstand push ups. And I can deadlift over 500#, farmer carry 215#/side 150ft for sets, flip an 800# tire without a knee assist.
    I am not bragging because I have not even reached my potential. I am simply stating the fact that once you stop listening to your mind and start listening to your heart and soul you will continue to be held back from what you can trully achieve.
    I might be a 30% disabled veteran but I am not dead.
    Two use lines from two of my favorite youtube personalities
    “F!ck Your Elbow! ” Mark Bell
    “If I am going to die doing something it might as well be doing something I love!” CT Fletcher

    Reply
    • Sven says

      at

      Yeah, that elbow comment – a classic!

      Those are some impressive numbers at your weight! Right on.
      Nevertheless – Train hard, Train smart! Health shifts into first place once you start pushing towards 50. You need those knees, back and shoulders for much, much longer than anybody would think in their twenties.

      Slay your dragons in your twenties and mid thirties. After that consistency becomes king. At least that’s what I’m experiencing all the time.
      Just chek how many former athletes and former badasses keep pushing past the 45yrs mark. Not to many, …
      Keep rokin.
      Cheers

      Reply
  5. Gabe Gaskins says

    at

    “I will admit that at age 38, I am for the first time experiencing the “feeling my age” thing.”

    Always respond with Doc Holiday’s line from Tombstone, “Im in my prime.”

    Good stuff Zach!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

zach even-esh instagram   zach even-esh twitter   zach even-esh youtube

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Top Articles

  • Lessons From Golden Era Bodyweight Bodybuilding…
  • Can You Build Muscle In Your 40s (And Older)? 25…
  • How to Get Built Like a Brick Sh*t House
  • The Benefits of High Rep Bodyweight Training
  • Grease The Groove (GTG) For Greater Strength…
  • 7 Tips on Developing Superior Physical Conditioning…
  • 5 Garage Gym Workouts For Strength, Size &…
  • We Need MORE People Getting Farm Boy STRONG
  • Top 10 Bodyweight Exercises Making You a TRUE Beast!
  • John Grimek Workout + Strength Training in Your 40s
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Press Inquiries

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT