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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
8 Responses
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
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
Gary, I am with you ALL day, Boss, and I miss you, my man!!!
Keep crushing it!
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
Mike, right on!!! I LOVE to hear this!!! Keep doing what works for YOU!
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
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
“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!