Four Reasons to Try Bodyweight Exercises Next Time You Work Out
Guest Blogger
| 2 min read
Bodyweight exercises are an effective way to get strong by lifting nothing but… you. In fact, all major muscle groups can be engaged without using free weights or machines.
According to WebMD, “Muscles respond to virtually anything that offers resistance… They don’t know the difference between a dumbbell, a $2,000 piece of equipment, or your own body weight.”
Here are four reasons to try bodyweight exercises the next time you work out:
- They travel. Many bodyweight exercises can be performed in a limited amount of space.
- They’re functional. Squats and lunges engage muscles that we use every day. Both are common and compound movements, meaning they engage multiple joints and work more than one muscle group at a time.
- They’re free. You can exercise in your home, at a park, even in a hotel room.
- They’re customizable. Exercise machines are limited in range of use by their settings, but bodyweight exercises can be modified for any fitness level. For example, push-up variations range from having your knees on the ground to doing handstand push-ups.
Bodyweight training removes the limitations of location, time, and cost, which are common setbacks when trying to start an exercise schedule.
About the author: Jeromy Lee is a health coach for Blue Care Network. His goal is to provide education and resources that will allow people to enhance their quality of life. When he’s not at work Jeromy is usually kayaking, boxing, biking, and traveling.
Ready to get started? Check out these blogs for workout ideas:
Photo credit: Barney Moss
