{"id":5782,"date":"2021-06-03T17:07:06","date_gmt":"2021-06-04T00:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/?p=5782"},"modified":"2021-06-03T17:14:07","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T00:14:07","slug":"bodyweight-exercises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide To Bodyweight Exercises For Your Home Workout"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can your ability to do more pushups prolong your life?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question might sound like a joke, but science has recently focused on better ways to predict lifespan. And, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2724778?utm_campaign=articlePDF&amp;utm_medium=articlePDFlink&amp;utm_source=articlePDF&amp;utm_content=jamanetworkopen.2018.8341\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that your ability to crush pushups might determine if you can fight off cardiovascular disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The power of pushups has been linked to everything from lower blood pressure and blood sugar, to healthier cholesterol and triglycerides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, it\u2019s not just pushups. The link between bodyweight strength and your health is becoming too hard to ignore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tweetable\"><p>A study of 1 million people found that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/345\/bmj.e7279\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">better your grip strength<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8212; which is linked to your ability to do more pullups &#8212; the less likely you are to die of premature death.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, that\u2019s not to say bodyweight strength is the key to a long life. Many factors will play into the full picture of your health. But, building more bodyweight strength is a good predictor of longevity, and a great foundation for a strong body that can help you live a better, healthier life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to invest in your body, you don&#8217;t need a fully stocked gym, or even minimal equipment like a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dumbbells<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to see some incredible results. That\u2019s because your body does NOT need weights to change; it requires resistance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your bodyweight can be used to create an amazingly effective workout that leads to a total body transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t just for beginners. You can take advantage of the benefits of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> no matter how many years you\u2019ve spent in the gym.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for a place to start &#8212; or a new way to challenge yourself &#8212; this guide will break down all of the different ways you can use bodyweight training to burn fat, build muscle, and upgrade your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_28 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#The_4_Biggest_Benefits_of_Bodyweight_Training\" title=\"The 4 Biggest Benefits of Bodyweight Training\">The 4 Biggest Benefits of Bodyweight Training<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#You_can_do_bodyweight_training_anywhere\" title=\"You can do bodyweight training anywhere.\u00a0\">You can do bodyweight training anywhere.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_training_creates_real-world_strength\" title=\"Bodyweight training creates real-world strength.\u00a0\">Bodyweight training creates real-world strength.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_training_helps_you_build_muscle\" title=\"Bodyweight training helps you build muscle.\u00a0\">Bodyweight training helps you build muscle.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_training_is_joint-friendly\" title=\"Bodyweight training is joint-friendly.\u00a0\">Bodyweight training is joint-friendly.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Warmup_Quicker_Easier_and_Fewer_Injuries\" title=\"Warmup: Quicker, Easier, and Fewer Injuries\">Warmup: Quicker, Easier, and Fewer Injuries<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Exercise_101_Moves_For_Every_Muscle_Group_Easy_and_Difficult_Variations\" title=\"Bodyweight Exercise 101: Moves For Every Muscle Group (Easy and Difficult Variations)\">Bodyweight Exercise 101: Moves For Every Muscle Group (Easy and Difficult Variations)<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Back_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Back Exercises\">Bodyweight Back Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Chest_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Chest Exercises\">Bodyweight Chest Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Shoulder_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Shoulder Exercises\">Bodyweight Shoulder Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Triceps_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Triceps Exercises\">Bodyweight Triceps Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Bicep_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Bicep Exercises\">Bodyweight Bicep Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Leg_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Leg Exercises\">Bodyweight Leg Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Hamstring_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises\">Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Glute_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Glute Exercises\">Bodyweight Glute Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Core_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Core Exercises\">Bodyweight Core Exercises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Bodyweight_Cardio_Exercises\" title=\"Bodyweight Cardio Exercises\">Bodyweight Cardio Exercises<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#How_To_Build_Your_Own_Bodyweight_Workout\" title=\"How To Build Your Own Bodyweight Workout\">How To Build Your Own Bodyweight Workout<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#Taking_It_Further_How_To_Add_Resistance_Training_When_Youre_Ready\" title=\"Taking It Further: How To Add Resistance Training When You&#8217;re Ready\">Taking It Further: How To Add Resistance Training When You&#8217;re Ready<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/bodyweight-exercises\/#READ_MORE\" title=\"READ MORE\">READ MORE<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_4_Biggest_Benefits_of_Bodyweight_Training\"><\/span><b>The 4 Biggest Benefits of <\/b><b>Bodyweight Training<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shouldn&#8217;t just be your backup when you can&#8217;t find equipment. That\u2019s because there are seemingly endless ways to use your own body weight to progress (make it harder) or regress (make it easier) a wide variety of exercises that target all of your main muscle groups. Not to mention, almost every strength training movement that you can do with dumbbells or barbells can be built on a foundation of bodyweight mastery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are 4 reasons why bodyweight training is a good idea to incorporate into most workout programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_can_do_bodyweight_training_anywhere\"><\/span><b>You can do <\/b><b>bodyweight training<\/b><b> anywhere.\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as your toddler (and dog) allows it, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight workouts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can happen in any room in the house, the garage, or even your local park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is important because the primary reason so many workouts fall short of the results you want is sustained consistency. Focusing on heavy weights is great &#8212; but not if you can\u2019t lift them when needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fact that you can do <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight workouts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> anywhere can help you build long-term consistency. Showing up week-after-week is where the real magic of training happens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you remove steps (like driving to the gym and parking), building and sticking with any new routine becomes more straightforward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, whether you focus on 1-2 bodyweight-only training days, or build your entire program around bodyweight movements, having an option that includes fewer barriers can play a key role in your success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_training_creates_real-world_strength\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight training<\/b><b> creates real-world strength.\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lifts have been proven effective over the decades. But, at the end of the day, they&#8217;re just a tool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re a powerlifter looking to improve your absolute strength (your 1-rep max), then they&#8217;re the right tool. But, for the rest of us, it can be a mistake to assume your workouts need to be built around gym equipment or lifting increasingly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heavy weights<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> solely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the rules of strength training is progressive overload; and, thankfully, there are many different ways to overload your muscles, whether it\u2019s with more reps and sets, or making exercises more difficult, which you can do without adding weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of just measuring strength in turns of weight added, look to build what&#8217;s called relative strength. This is how well you move and control your body in space. Think of a gymnast performing on the rings. The way they&#8217;re able to control their body and hold positions we can only dream of is a high-level example of relative strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And there&#8217;s no better tool than your bodyweight to build relative strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_training_helps_you_build_muscle\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight training<\/b><b> helps you <\/b><b>build muscle<\/b><b>.\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lookgreatnaked.com\/blog\/does-light-load-training-build-muscle-in-experienced-lifters\/?mc_cid=bbc3186738&amp;mc_eid=8f29f9a226\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brad Schoenfeld&#8217;s excellent research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both beginners and more advanced lifters can <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build muscle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zero<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> equipment on hand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The secret? It\u2019s about finding the point where you can bring your muscles to failure. Schoenfeld\u2019s research found that you can build an equal amount of muscle with lower reps (and more weight) and higher reps (and less weight). But, the key finding was that when you\u2019re not adding as much weight, you need to push your muscles to failure, even if that means doing upwards of 25-35 reps within a set.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oftentimes, many of us stop our workout sets well short of absolute failure, or pick an arbitrary rep range, such as 8-12 reps. This is easier to assess with barbells and dumbbells, but, when you move to bodyweight training, you\u2019ll want to get a better sense of how many reps you can do before you can\u2019t do any more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, if you leave 1-2 reps left in the tank most of the time, then you&#8217;ll reduce your chance of injury and still <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build muscle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, as you get better and stronger with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll need to start pushing each set as far as you can to build maximum amounts of muscle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_training_is_joint-friendly\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight training<\/b><b> is joint-friendly.\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you want to train pain-free for years? Then<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">master fundamental bodyweight movements before adding weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With traditional weight room lifts, it&#8217;s easy for your strength to outpace your stability. If you can squat 400 pounds yet fall over when we ask you to stand on one leg, your chances for injury are much higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This strength imbalance <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is less likely<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. No matter what move you choose, each demands just as much stability as strength. This protects your joints. Not to mention, adding bodyweight training can make that 400-pound squat that much more stable (and strong).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also prevents injury because it&#8217;s self-limiting. This means that as you fail on a lift (can&#8217;t&#8230;do&#8230;one&#8230;more..rep) you stop moving and collapse to the ground. When that happens in a bench press, you drop the bar on your face. I think you can see which one has the higher potential for injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s one caveat here: bodyweight <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plyometric training<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is NOT joint-friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most people, one minute of squat jumps, split squat jumps, or even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">burpees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could eventually lead to overuse injuries. If you\u2019re looking to increase your heart rate and do cardio, there are plenty of safer moves you can use to accomplish that (and we&#8217;ll discuss those more below).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warmup_Quicker_Easier_and_Fewer_Injuries\"><\/span><b>Warmup<\/b><b>: Quicker, Easier, and Fewer Injuries<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re trying to lose fat or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build muscle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 consistency is the key. And the #1 reason people struggle to stay consistent with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or any training for that matter) is pain and injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As it turns out, some of the best bodyweight exercises are great for warming up, which is a helpful way to help limit and produce injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quick <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">warm-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prepare your body to produce force. Think of your muscles like a cold rubber band that you pull out of the freezer. If you try to challenge the band in any way, when it&#8217;s frozen, it will snap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your muscles are the same way. If you\u2019re like most people, you\u2019re likely stuck in a chair for 8 hours a day (or more) every day, and all that sitting reduces your mobility and makes you more prone to injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">warm-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps you offset your day-to-day sitting. And, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/quick-warmup-routines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a great warmup doesn\u2019t require static stretching (yeah, it\u2019s boring)<\/a> or take as much time as you thought.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An effective and quick way to prepare your body is by incorporating something known as \u201cmovement flows.\u201d These equipment-free sequences move your body through a wide range of motion, activate your muscles, and prime your body to perform with a lower likelihood of pain or injury. And, it only takes about 2 to 3 minutes to complete.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The 5-Minute Better Warmup\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/crvxipbM88o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need more <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">warm-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inspiration? Be sure to check out our blog post on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/quick-warmup-routines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> quick <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">warm-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> routines.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Exercise_101_Moves_For_Every_Muscle_Group_Easy_and_Difficult_Variations\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Exercise<\/b><b> 101: Moves For Every <\/b><b>Muscle Group<\/b><b> (Easy and Difficult Variations)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you become better at bodyweight exercises, we\u2019ve created two different categories for each body part.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you\u2019ll find what we consider<strong> core movements<\/strong>. Instead of an exhaustive bodyweight playlist, we chose to highlight the moves that provide the most bang-for-your-buck. This is where you should spend the majority of your training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, we\u2019ll show you one <strong>advanced <\/strong><\/span><strong>bodyweight exercise<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for each body part. You might not be able to perform the advanced move right now, and that\u2019s OK. In no time, you\u2019ll be able to improve your relative body strength and take on more challenging variations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Back_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Back Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Superman W\/T<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Superman WT  | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FyZZ-0UnWz8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re probably no stranger to the risks and downsides of lower back pain, and yet, very few people focus on lower back exercises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The superman exercise is a great way to both build endurance in your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and helps groove shoulder health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by lying on your stomach with your arms to your side and elbows bent 90 degrees. If we were standing above you, it would look like your arms and head form a &#8220;W.&#8221; Now, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to raise your head and chest off the floor. Hold this position while drawing your shoulder blades together and raising your arms off the floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The setup for the Superman T is the same. The only difference is that you&#8217;ll keep your arms straight to form a T as you raise them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Pillow Case Face Pull<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pillow Case Face Pull\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YKbnnxXGmdI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab a spare pillowcase from the closet and target your upper back (including your traps) with the face pull. Grab the ends of the pillowcase with each hand. Raise your hands to shoulder height so your arms are perpendicular to your torso and your palms face the floor. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, squeeze your upper back and try to row the weight to your face, bringing your hands as close as possible to your ears. Reverse the movement and extend your arms back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Archer Pillow Case Door Row<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pillow Case Archer Row\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mDUzAWDvoqc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you&#8217;ve got the pillowcase out, it&#8217;s time to build back and grip strength with a low-row. Set your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Grab the ends of the pillowcase with each hand and raise your hands to shoulder height so your arms are perpendicular to your torso and your palms face the floor. Squeeze your upper back and pull your elbows down and back by your side. Reverse the movement and extend your arms back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Inverted Row (barbell, chairs + broom, TRX)<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Inverted Row | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OGwIM4vPasU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No pullup bar? No worries. You can make this popular gym move work at home with a little creativity. First, let&#8217;s talk about the setup. You&#8217;ll need to place a thick broomstick (or shovel, etc.) between two chairs, couches, etc. Make sure the chairs are high enough to allow you to hang under the broom with your arms fully extended. Please be sure the bar will not roll off mid-exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To execute the exercise, begin by lying directly under the broomstick with your knees bent 90 degrees and your feet on the floor. Grab the broomstick with a wider grip than your shoulders so that your hands are near the chair. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and lift your butt off the ground. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your upper back and pull your body up to the broomstick, stopping a few inches short of touching it. Reverse the movement and extend your arms back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Chin-up\/Pull-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pull Up: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RQzOzmm-fPs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pullup is arguably the best bodyweight back exercise for both strength and building muscle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re doing a pullup or chin-up, performance starts with a great setup. That means gripping the bar tight and engaging your core.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To start the movement, think about pulling down on the bar and driving your shoulder blades into your back pocket. As you pull yourself higher, think about putting your elbows in your back pocket until your head clears the bar. Then, control your body all the way back down to the hang <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would be best if you set up the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pullup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a very similar way. Get your grip tight, squeeze your core and pull the bar down to start the movement. But instead of thinking about putting your elbows in your back pocket, you&#8217;re going to drive your elbows towards your ribs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Slider Pullover<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Pullover Slides\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9bvlTaHvAKU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ve probably never seen this move, but it trains the lats (your most significant back muscle) in a way that&#8217;s hard to replicate outside the gym. You&#8217;ll need a pair of carpet sliders, paper plates, or even a towel on the kitchen floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To set up for this move, start in a modified <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stance &#8211; hands directly under your shoulder and your knees resting on the sliders. Your body should form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your knees to your head. Squeeze your core and push the ground away from you so that your knees start sliding away from your hands. Slide-out only as far as you can maintain your core position (no low back sag!). Now, pull the ground towards you with your hands and slide the knees back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Chest_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Chest Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare yourself for a wide variety of pushup options. While it may seem like a pushup is just a pushup, there are many ways to adjust this timeliness classic to make the movement easier or harder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Incline Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Incline Push Up: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y8I66lWtNB8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you struggle with doing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the ground, you should start with the incline <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of knee <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They help you build the specific core and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> necessary to knock out your first <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup and many more<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by placing your hands on a bench, bar, or even the couch. Walk your feet back on your toes until your arms are directly in front of your chest. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From here, squeeze your core and the front of your legs to create tension. Now, pull yourself down towards the bench with your upper back. Lower until your elbows are just past your body, and then push yourself away from the bench.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Push Up: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i2fXQc68mHc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The setup for the classic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is very similar to the incline <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, only we\u2019re now setting up on the ground. Start in a full <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; arms straight, hands just outside your shoulders, and head in line with your spine. Squeeze your core and screw your hands out against the floor (like you\u2019re opening a jar of pickles). Now, pull yourself down towards the floor with your upper back. Lower until your elbows are just past your body and then push yourself away from the ground, finishing long through your upper back.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Decline Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Decline Push Up: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xjs0fnWSZzg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decline <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not only challenges your chest but demands far greater core and shoulder strength as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place your feet on a 12-16\u201d object (the higher you go, the more this move will target your shoulders and not your chest) and find your full <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Your hands should be in line with the front of your shoulders and not your eyes. From here, pull yourself down towards the floor with your upper back. Think chest first on the way down so that your hips don\u2019t sag. Lower until your face almost touches the ground, and then push yourself back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Parallette Push Up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Parellette Push Up | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l8KYw3ClZ4Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best ways to get stronger in any movement is to increase the range of motion. With parallette <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019re able to get much deeper in the bottom of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, increasing muscle activation in your chest and shoulders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cues apply: Start with your hands under your shoulders, your body in a nice <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and your core squeezed. Lower yourself towards your hands until your hands are almost in line with your chest. During this move, it\u2019s essential to feel like you\u2019re \u201cpulling\u201d yourself down by squeezing your upper back so that you protect your shoulders. Now, reverse the movement and push yourself away from the handles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Dips<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dips | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZL7Mou3K9pg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dips are an incredible exercise for your chest (and your triceps). However, the dip is also a complicated exercise that requires a great setup to perform safely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, grab the handles of the dip bars and jump up. Keep your legs and arms straight. Screw your hands outward against the bar and squeeze your core. To lower into the bottom position, allow your chest to drop forward. Like the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, imagine pulling yourself down. Allow lower as far as you control before pushing through the elbow to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Pushup with arm reach<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Push Up with Arm Reach: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4J6MUwj9vCA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This move shifts more of the demand to one side of your body, making it one of the best ones to train your chest (and core) as you get stronger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need a pair of furniture sliders or a towel on a smooth floor. Setup in a good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position (see above exercises) with your hands on the sliders. As you begin to lower into the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, squeeze your core, slide one arm out in front of your head and shift your weight into the other arm. In the non-reaching arm, keep your elbow tight to the body. Push yourself back up as you pull the other arm back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Shoulder_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Shoulder Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises (and their many variations) might be a great way to build your shoulders with weights, but there\u2019s no shortage of movements to help you carve the 3 main muscles in your shoulders, while also helping improve shoulder health and stability and reduce the likelihood of injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Shoulder Taps<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Plank with Shoulder Taps: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sNmFn1qmT28?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for shoulder taps looks very similar to the traditional <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Your arms should be straight, hands just outside your shoulders, and your head in line with your spine. The only difference is the width of your feet. In this move, they should be outside of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hip width<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Get your belly tight and then slowly lift your left arm off the ground and touch your opposite shoulder with your hand. Return that arm to the ground and then lift your right arm off the ground and touch your left shoulder. Continue repeating this pattern for reps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Inchworm<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Inchworm: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ml3MdmCkwbQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inchworm is one of our favorite sneaky shoulder moves. Inchworms require both strength and stability from your shoulders while also throwing in a fair bit of mobility for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re right back in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position to set up for this movement. You know the drill &#8211; get core engaged and make sure your body is in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from head to toe. Begin the move by slowly tiptoeing your feet towards your hands. As your butt gets higher, think about pushing the ground away from you. When you\u2019ve gone as high as you can (you\u2019ll look like a teepee), slowly walk your hands out away from your feet until you return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. Keep your belly tight on the way out!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Reverse Bear Crawl<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Reverse Bear Crawl | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yC-JsXSXQRM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crawling probably isn\u2019t part of your regular shoulder routine, but it should be. Give this move a try to build shoulder-safe <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin, rest on your hands and knees on the ground. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Now, hover your knees just off the ground. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Begin the move by reaching back with one leg and the opposite arm. Think about driving yourself away from the ground. After taking a small step, repeat with the opposite arm and leg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Pike Pushup<\/h4>\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sposDXWEB0A<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pike pushup closely replicates the overhead <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> press. But, instead of trying to press the bar away from your body, you\u2019re going to press your body away from the floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by placing your hands on the ground just outside of shoulder width. Walk your feet forward until your body forms an a-frame position with your legs straight. It would be best if you were looking through your legs at this point and not the ground. Begin by bending both elbows and lowering your head down and out towards your hands. Try to lower until your head touches the ground and then push yourself away from the floor to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Pike Pushup with Feet Elevated<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Feet Elevated Pike Pushups | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CfmQHeV4FyY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outside of the handstand <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (which we didn\u2019t include in this guide due to injury concerns), this is one of the most challenging bodyweight movements that builds both <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and muscle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by placing your hands on the ground just outside of shoulder width. Then, place your toes on a box behind you and lift your body into the air. Walk your hands back toward the box until your body forms an a-frame position with your knees slightly bent. Begin by bending both elbows and lowering your head down and out towards your hands. Try to lower your body until your head touches the ground and then push yourself away from the floor to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Triceps_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight <\/b><b>Triceps<\/b><b> Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A great set of arms isn\u2019t just about your biceps. Your triceps are actually a bigger muscle, and they play a key role in bringing out the definition of your arms. You\u2019ll be performing more pushups, each with a slight adjustment to place more tension on your triceps instead of your chest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Plank to Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Push Up to Plank: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P-BJzjOrElE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assume a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the ground. Your forearms will be under your shoulders, your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">back straight<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and your core engaged. Now, \u201cpush the ground away\u201d with one arm and then the other arm to fully extend both arms. At this point, you should be resting on the palms of your hands in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. Drop back down one arm at a time and repeat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Close Grip Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Close Grip Pushups | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eABvBc4e0MQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is very similar to the classic pushup but with a slight adjustment to your hand positioning. Start in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position with your hands directly under your shoulders. To start the move, pull yourself towards the ground with your upper back. As you lower, your elbows stay tight to your sides (which will load your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more). Lower slowly down, and make sure to keep the elbows close to your side. To return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and push the ground away from you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tricep Plank Push-up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tricep Plank To Pushup | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zo8YG1ZoDDw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tricep<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plank <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an advanced version of the Plank to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Again, start in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your forearms under your shoulders. Make sure your core is tight! Now, push the floor away with your forearms and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the same time &#8211; this will bring your body up into a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. From here, control your movement and bend your elbows to get yourself back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tricep Bench Dip<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pain with Tricep Dips\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dVVXq-3p0jc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The way most people do this popular bodyweight <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tricep<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> exercise is setting them up for potential injury. Here\u2019s how to do it right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing in front of a bench (or couch), reach down and back behind you to place your hands on the bench. Make sure your fingers are pointing away from you on the bench and not straight ahead. Your legs should be straight and out in front of your body. Now, pull yourself down, allowing your butt to drop towards the ground. To protect your shoulders, STOP when your elbows form <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90 degree angles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and press the bench away from you to drive back to the start point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Elevated Bar\/Couch Bodyweight Tricep Extension<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Tricep Extension\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MYw-v1WQgEk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight move<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> targets your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> just like a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> skull crusher, and throws in a ton of core work for good measure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by setting up like you\u2019re going to do a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your hands on a bench or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a rack. Walk your feet back until your hands are past your head. If you\u2019re looking straight ahead, you should be looking under your hands. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Now, bend your elbows and lower your body until your head passes through your arms. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triceps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to drive back up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Bicep_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Bicep Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you think about upper body exercises, your biceps are likely one of the first muscles that come to mind. But, traditionally, you isolate that body part with the types of movements that require equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manipulate curl variations and apply slight variations to other exercises that increase the intensity on your biceps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s because training your biceps is all about creating tension. And, even if you only have everyday household items, like a bathroom towel, you can make far more arm gains than you think.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Towel Bicep Curl w\/ Iso Pullapart<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Towel Bicep Curl ISO Pullapart  | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U_mld7x-euA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab a hand towel (but any towel can work) and start by holding the towel with both palms facing the ceiling. The towel should have just a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slack in the middle. Now, grip the towel tight and drive your hands outward. This will create a \u2018tight\u2019 towel. Keeping the tension on the towel, slowly curl your palms toward your shoulders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Pillowcase Bicep Body Rows<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s time to raid the linen closet before your next workout. Secure two pillowcases to the top of a closed door. Please be sure they are snug and will not slip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab the ends of the pillowcase with each hand. Raise your hands to shoulder height so your arms are perpendicular to your torso and your palms face the ceiling. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, squeeze your biceps and try to row your palms to your face, bringing your hands as close as possible to your face. Reverse the movement and extend your arms back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Supinated Grip Inverted Row (TRX, bar, broomstick)<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Inverted Row with a Supinated Grip\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yXvS1Sp5Vkk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inverted row should be one of your go-to bodyweight back moves. But, by changing your grip on the bar (or broomstick), you can force your biceps to do more work. You\u2019ll need to place a thick broomstick (or shovel, etc.) between two chairs, couches, etc. Make sure the chairs are high enough to allow you to hang under the broom with your arms fully extended. <em><strong>Please be sure the bar will not roll off mid-exercise.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, to execute the exercise lay under the broomstick with your knees bent 90 degrees and your feet on the floor. Grab the broomstick with a shoulder-width grip, and your palms facing the bar. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and lift your butt off the ground. This is your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your upper back and biceps to pull your body up to the broomstick, stopping a few inches short of touching it. Reverse the movement and extend your arms back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Close Grip Chin-Up<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Close Grip Chinup | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dNhBpDH1LDI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to build your biceps, start your workout with this move. The close-grip chin-up will activate your biceps more than <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> curls &#8211; and help you build total <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper-body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grip the bar with your palms facing the bar. Your grip width should be inside your shoulders. Squeeze your core and start the move by pulling down on the bar. As you pull yourself higher, think about putting your elbows in your back pocket until your head clears the bar. Then, control your body back down to the hang <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Bicep Chin Curl<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bicep Chin Curl | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xWxuo95pq90?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This chin-up cranks the bicep challenge up to 11. While this may look like a normal chin-up at the start, the real difference is how you perform the exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The setup is the same as the regular chin-up: Grip the bar tight with your palms facing the bar. Squeeze your core and get tight. But, instead of letting yourself hang straight down from the bar, you\u2019re going to lean back from the bar at the bottom position. Then, squeeze your biceps and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pull up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the bar. Your head won\u2019t clear the bar in this move. Instead, you\u2019ll bring the bar towards your face and stop there. Lean back as you extend the arms to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Leg_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Leg Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your lower body might be best equipped to take on a steady diet of bodyweight exercises without ever feeling like you need the gym. While you can build strength and muscle just fine with upper body movements, there are so many more equipment-free ways to challenge your legs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, unlike many popular weighted exercises (we\u2019re looking at you squats), bodyweight variations of many lower body movements are rarely associated with aches and pains because it\u2019s easy to put yourself in a position to master the movements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a full buffet of bodyweight leg exercises that will make you convinced you don\u2019t need weights for an incredible workout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Bodyweight Squat<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Squat: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZLJBfYF_oO0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not sleep on the bodyweight squat. While you might dismiss the movement without weights, learning how to squat correctly might change the way you move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A big part of feeling better when you squat is understanding your body and foot positioning. To find <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> starting squat <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll need to experiment. Many people simply assume you\u2019ll want your feet shoulder-width apart. And, while that\u2019s a good place to begin, it\u2019s not what\u2019s most comfortable for everyone. Play around with the width of your stance and your toes&#8217; direction (pointing straight ahead or angled out) during your squats. <em><strong>Which position feels the most natural and allows you to sink the deepest? Go with that.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve found your stance, get your core tight and screw your feet into the ground. Now, break at the hips and sit straight down between your knees. Keep your chest up. How deep should you go? If your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> starts to round, you&#8217;ve gone too deep. For most people, this will be around 90 degrees. Now, push the ground away to stay back up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Reverse Lunges<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Reverse Lunge: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1Ue-C7B0FFo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More knee-friendly than forward <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lunges<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reverse <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lunges<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are where most people should start with single-leg <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feet shoulder-width<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apart. Bring your hands together in front of the chest and squeeze them together to create core tension. To begin, take a big step straight back with your left leg. As your back toes come into contact with the ground, allow your body to drop straight down. Stay tall through the chest, keeping your shoulder back. Drive off the front leg to come out of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lunge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then repeat the movement, this time taking a step back with your right leg.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Cossack Squat<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cossack Squat: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jmuUXUWihr0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of us spend too much time training exercises directly in front of us or behind us, like a squat or reverse <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lunge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But, to better target your legs and keep healthy hips, you need to add some lateral moves like this into your workout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with your legs in a stance that\u2019s wider than shoulder-width apart. Relax one knee and shift your body weight to that side by reaching back with your hips. Keep your chest tall, and both heels on the ground as you drop into the hip of the squatting leg. Only go as deep as you control the movement, then push the floor away to drive out of that hip and return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LDHewDkUiLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rear foot elevated split squat is arguably the best move (and maybe most-dreaded) you can do to build <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower-body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand directly in front of a bench, low couch, etc. that is roughly mid-shin height. The back of your calves should be touching the bench. Now, take one giant step forward with your left leg, which is the right distance from the bench for most. Reach back with your right leg and place the top of your right foot (or your toes if the object is super low) on the bench.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping the majority of the weight in your front foot allows your body to drop into the front leg&#8217;s hip while keeping the knee in line with toes. Go as low as you can control, and then drive the ground away with your front foot to finish the rep. Do all your reps, go back to the starting position, and then take a big step forward with your right leg, reach back with your left leg, and repeat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Shrimp Squat<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shrimp Squat | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M6ZNAN2mQBU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whereas most people assume the jump squat is the best way to increase the difficulty of the traditional bodyweight squat, we prefer a different approach that is challenging, but without the additional stress on your joints.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shrimp squat requires outstanding single-leg balance, strength, and hip mobility. And that&#8217;s what makes it our go-to advanced leg exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a shoulder-width stance while squeezing your core. Then, balance on one leg and bend the other knee 90 degrees. Bend at your knee and the hip to lower your body straight down. Feel like you&#8217;re reaching behind you with the bent leg. As you lower, allow your chest to reach forward and try to touch the ground with the bent knee just behind your plant foot &#8211; but you&#8217;re not allowed to rest it there. Drive through the plant foot to push back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Hamstring_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight <\/b><b>Hamstring<\/b><b> Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s easy to think that a healthy diet of squats and lunges will cover your lower body (they are an amazing foundation), there are a few targeted bodyweight movements that can help you work the backside of your legs. Oftentimes the forgotten muscles compared to your quads and glutes, these moves will help ensure balance and injury prevention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Glute Bridge Walkout<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Glute Bridge Walkout | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0AWd-UPLaCg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Slide your feet on the floor towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your core and fire your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to lift your hips off the ground. At this point, your body should form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your knees to your shoulders. Now, keeping your hips high, slowly walk your feet away from your body until your legs are almost straight. Then, walk them back towards your butt until you return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tall Kneeling Good Morning<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tall Kneeling Good Morning  | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Z3Gwy6Q6D6Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This move turned into one of my go-to bodyweight <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstring<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> exercises during 2020&#8217;s quarantine because you can do them <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anywhere.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While resting on your knees, hook your feet under a low desk, table, or have your workout partner hold your ankles. Place your hands on your head, elbows out wide. To start the exercise, fold at your hips and allow your chest to drop. Your back stays straight the entire time as you lower your chest towards the ground. After you&#8217;ve gone as far as you can control, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstrings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to return your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Natural Glute Ham Raise<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Natural Glute Ham Raises | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-Iwxpo0MEBA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more challenging version of the Tall Kneeling Good Morning, this move replicates a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glute<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-ham raise in the gym, and that means it&#8217;s one of the best <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower-body strength<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> moves you can do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While resting on your knees, hook your feet under a low desk, table, or have your workout partner hold your ankles. Keep your chest tall and bring your hands in beside your chest, palms facing away from you. Now, hinging at your knees, slowly allow your body to fall away from the anchor. Go as far as you can control (probably not very far at the beginning) and then &#8220;catch&#8221; yourself in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pushup<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. Give yourself just enough of a push with your arms and squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstrings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Paper Plate\/Slider Leg Curl<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Crush Your Hamstrings and Glutes with the ValSlide Leg Curl\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pxB6s18Lq0A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not just for picnics, paper plates can be a deceptively useful <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tool when paired with a hardwood floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Place your heels on paper plates (or furniture sliders) and bring your feet towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your core and fire your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to lift your hips off the ground. At this point, your body should form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your knees to your shoulders. Keep your hips high, and slowly slide your feet away from your body until your legs are almost straight. Then, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstrings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and slide them towards your butt until you return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Single-Leg Deadlift<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bodyweight Single Leg Deadlift | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Umv5hkQt6no?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just because we don&#8217;t have a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn&#8217;t mean we can&#8217;t train the deadlift pattern.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feet shoulder-width<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apart with your hands at your side. To begin, shift your weight onto one foot and relax your knee on that side. Now, push your butt back and allow your chest to drop. Reach towards the wall in front of you with your arms and try to touch the wall behind you with the free leg. Your back stays straight. Drive off the plant leg and squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to come out of the deadlift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Paper Plate\/Slider Single Leg Curl<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Slider Singe Leg Curl | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lhqCKuZwB7E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, any time we shift more work to one side of the body, we make an exercise that much more challenging. And trust me, this one is challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Place one heel on a paper plate (or furniture slider) and bring your feet towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Squeeze your core and fire your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to lift your hips off the ground. At this point, your body should create a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tabletop<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position from your knees to your shoulders. Next, bring the leg not on a slider up into the air until that leg is floating. From here, keep your hips high, and slowly slide your plant foot away from your body until your leg is almost straight. Then, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstring<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and slide your foot towards your butt until you return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Glute_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight <\/b><b>Glute<\/b><b> Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training your lower body wouldn\u2019t be complete without focusing on your glutes. Even though they\u2019re one of the bigger muscles in your body, it\u2019s easy to forget to include targeted work on your backside muscles. While squats and lunges are the foundation, these exercises will make your backside work just a little harder and offset all the time you spend sitting during the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Glute Bridge<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Glute Bridge: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KI6fjDqGZh4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Slide your feet on the floor towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.From here, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and drive through your heels to lift your hips off the ground. At this point, your body should form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tabletop<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position from your knees to your shoulders. Relax towards the floor to complete the rep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Side-Lying Plank w\/ Leg Extension<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Side-Lying Plank with Leg Extension: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xvs41s7yVTI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lay on your side; forearm tucked under your side. You should bend your bottom knee 90 degrees, and your top leg should be straight. Dig your elbow into the ground and push yourself up so that your elbow and your bottom knee support your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entire body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Now, use the outside of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, lift your top leg straight up and hold it there for 5-10 seconds. Relax back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starting position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by lowering your leg down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Single-Leg Glute Bridge<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Single-Leg Glute Bridge: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1jaU6kizP_A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This move takes the glute bridge up a notch. Not only will you have to rely on only one leg to lift you up but your glutes will also have to prevent rotation during the move as well. This cranks up the muscle tension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Slide your feet on the floor towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Next, float one leg off the ground. From here, squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and drive through your plant leg to lift your hips off the ground. At this point, your body should form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tabletop<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position from your knees to your shoulders. Relax towards the floor to complete the rep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Frog Pumps<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Frog Pumps: How To (2 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QUOb_c-edGE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frog pumps target your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so well that you won\u2019t mind doing the move, even if it does result in weird looks from your family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back. Slide your feet on the floor towards your butt until your knees form a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90-degree angle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, rock your weight to the outside of your feet and allow your knees to drop open. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and drive through your feet to lift your hips off the ground. Go as high as your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will take you. You should feel this on the outside of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Relax towards the ground to complete the rep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Hip Thrust<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hip Thrust | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NtWIZuR4hts?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hip thrust takes the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glute<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bridge and elevates your shoulders to increase the range of motion. This makes the exercise more challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin by sitting directly in front of a low couch, exercise bench, or any other soft-edged object that isn\u2019t too tall. Place the middle of your shoulder blades on the edge of the bench and bend your knees 90 degrees. Now, drive through your heels, squeeze your butt, and push your hips towards the ceiling. Keep squeeze until your body forms a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, drop your hips and pivot on your shoulder blades to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Single-Leg Hip Thrust<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Single Leg Hip Thrust | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p1tj2hA1_DI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The setup is the same as the hip thrust. Sit directly in front of a low couch, exercise bench, or any other soft-edged object that isn\u2019t too tall. Place the middle of your shoulder blades on the edge of the bench and bend your knees 90 degrees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, things change after that to make this move our go-to advanced <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glute<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> builder. You\u2019re going to hover one leg off the ground in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Now, drive through your planted foot, squeeze your butt, and push your hips towards the ceiling. Keep squeeze until your body forms a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, drop your hips and pivot on your shoulder blades to return to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Core_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight Core Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been waiting for the best bodyweight abs exercise, the payoff is finally here. There is no shortage of movement that works your core, as it\u2019s the one body part that\u2019s most commonly trained without weights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can see plenty of results with a steady diet of planks and sit-ups, you\u2019d be leaving plenty of variation on the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Front Plank<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Front Plank | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zcfTkd_PG54?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people do planks wrong. It&#8217;s not about surviving for as long as you can. No, to get the most out of the front plank, you need to learn how to create tension in the position. The cool part? Being able to develop that full-body tension helps you perform other bodyweight moves better as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start on the ground with your forearms under your shoulders, body in a straight line. Then, squeeze your core and then push the ground away from you with your arms. Hold this position while breathing in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. At no time should your hips or shoulders drop. Stay tight!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>McGill Situp<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"McGill Curl Up | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dd9_txsxLEc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training your abs directly through a movement like full situps or crunches can help build core strength. But, these movements also put a large amount of compressive stress on your lower back. That\u2019s why banging out high rep sets of these moves probably isn\u2019t a good idea. Instead, try this modified variation of the situp (created by spine researcher Dr. Stuart McGill) that reduces those forces on your spine while helping you build stability in the core.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by laying on your back with one knee bent and the other leg straight. Now, place your hands under your lower back (this will help you keep what\u2019s called a neutral position). Pick your head and chest off the ground just a few inches and hold that position. Your lower back should not have moved. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then lower back down. That\u2019s one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Reverse Crunch<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Reverse Crunch: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nYcE7-Dhpzk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reverse crunch works the 6-pack muscles of your core (and even helps target the lower ab muscles). But, what makes it a great abs exercise is that it also engages the muscles on the side of your core.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lie on your back with your knees bent to 90 degrees, feet on the floor. Your arms should be by your side and pressing down into the ground. Flatten your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into the floor and lift your legs (keep the knees bent) until they are directly above your hips. Now, lift your hips off the floor and slowly bring your knees toward your head. Think about rounding your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as you curl up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Side Plank w\/ Reach Through<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Plank Reach Through: How To (2 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WUwSN0-bzlI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lay on your side in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; forearm tucked under your side. Your feet should be in a staggered position with your top leg in front. Dig your bottom elbow into the ground and push yourself up so that your elbow and your feet support your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entire body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Now, allow your chest to drop down and reach under your body with your free arm. Think about rotating through the planted arm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Body Saw<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Body Saw Exercise: How To (2 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aOvWCvCzK28?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to your spine, the term &#8220;extension&#8221; refers to a rounded back (think: the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/poses\/cat-pose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;cat&#8221; position<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of cat-cow). Anti-extension exercises like the body saw train your core to resist this extension \u2014something that will come in handy when you do an exercise like a deadlift, where &#8220;don&#8217;t round your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!&#8221; is a commonly heard cue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, place paper plates or furniture slides under your feet. It would be best if you had something that can slide on the floor. Then, get into a front <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your forearms under your shoulders, body in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">straight line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To start the exercise, squeeze your core and then push the ground away from you with your arms. Slide back 6&#8243; or so, and then pull the floor towards you to slide back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Slow Russian Twist<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Slow Russian Twist | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7YHmdjt8Nwo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outside of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">burpees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and kipping <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pull-ups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, my least favorite exercise might be the Russian Twist. Actually, it&#8217;s the version of the Russian Twist you see at most gyms &#8211; seated, holding a medicine ball, while wildly pumping a med ball from side to side trying to carve your obliques. It&#8217;s a low-back injury waiting to happen. However, if you do the Russian Twist right, it&#8217;s a fantastic, no-equipment-needed way to train the core.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a seat on the ground, feet in front of you, and legs bent 90 degrees. Now, lean your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upper body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> back to a 45-degree angle while keeping your feet on the floor. Reach your arms straight out from your chest. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Slowly rotate your chest from side-to-side. Move slowly; this is not an explosive exercise. To make the movement more difficult, float your feet in the air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Reverse Crunch w\/ Press Out<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Reverse Crunch to Press Out\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ub8Iufjg280?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legendary kung fu artist, Bruce Lee, is famous for the dragon flag. This high-level exercise requires heroic levels of core strength. While this move isn&#8217;t the full dragon flag, it is your first step towards building that kind of legendary core strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a weight bench, but if you don&#8217;t have one, find something directly above your head to grab onto &#8211; a table leg, bottom of the couch, etc. Then, lie on your back with your knees bent to 90 degrees, feet on the floor. Grab the bench above your head and lift your legs (keep the knees bent) until they are directly above your hips. Now, lift your hips off the bench and bring your knees to your elbows. Slowly reverse the motion, but as you come back, you&#8217;re going to straighten your legs while keeping your low-back flat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodyweight_Cardio_Exercises\"><\/span><b>Bodyweight <\/b><b>Cardio<\/b><b> Exercises<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listen, running isn\u2019t for everyone. But, that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get in a great cardio workout. And, bodyweight exercises are another way to get up your heart rate without endless pounding on your knees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most bodyweight programs will insist that burpees are the best way to crank up your heart rate. That is true, but we haven\u2019t met many people who actually enjoy burpees, so we\u2019re going to save you the frustration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of other exercises that, when programmed correctly, offer all the benefits of HIIT (high intensity interval training), which is a great cardio alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Easiest Option: Jumping Jacks<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jumping Jacks | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vqM6wU3iRiM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know how to do <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jumping jacks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Gym class!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Mountain Climber<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mountain Climbers: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gW-q50V6Z_0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start in a full <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plank position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; arms straight, hands just outside your shoulders, and head in line with your spine. Squeeze your core and screw your hands out against the floor (like you&#8217;re opening a jar of pickles). Now, march one knee towards your hands. Quickly drive it back to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and bring your other leg forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Bear Crawl<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bear Crawl: How To (2 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xeJwVEiQkVQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin, get in an all-fours position. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Now, push the ground away with your arms and hover your knees just off the ground. This is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Begin the move by reaching forward with one arm and the opposite leg. As you place that arm and leg on the ground, repeat with the opposite arm and leg. Keep repeating this pattern as you crawl forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Jump Squat<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Squat Jump: How To (3 steps to proper form)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8Sl9h44XNJA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jump squats<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for pain-free <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cardio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you focus more on absorbing the landing and not making each jump a &#8220;max&#8221; jump. Just jump high enough to get some air and focus on getting more quality reps in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing in a shoulder-width stance, arms at your side. Rapidly bend your knees and hips, and reach behind you with your arms. Now, explosively drive your arms up and jump, trying to touch the ceiling. As you come back to the ground, try to land quietly like a ninja. Immediately reload into the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and jump again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>ADVANCED: Walkout Push-up + Squat Jump<\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pushup Walkout To Squat | Born Fitness\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yvjKyfn3GHg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of this move as a &#8220;better <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">burpee<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221; Instead of throwing yourself down to the ground, you&#8217;ll squat down and then use your hands to walk out to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. It&#8217;s a safer move for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and still drives your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing in a shoulder-width stance, arms at your side. Squat straight down and place your hands on the ground in front of your feet. Now, walk your hands slowly away from your feet until you reach a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. Keep your core squeeze to prevent the lower bag from sagging. Do a full <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then reverse the motion, walking your hands back towards your feet. As you return to the bottom of the squat, drive up and do a jump.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Build_Your_Own_Bodyweight_Workout\"><\/span><b>How To Build Your Own <\/b><b>Bodyweight Workout<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When focusing on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/how-to-build-the-perfect-bodyweight-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, programs designed for individual muscles or body parts are probably not the best choice for you. Instead, it\u2019s better to focus on a full-body workout that will challenge your entire body.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s why: The more muscle mass you can use with each exercise, the more effective you&#8217;ll be in building new muscle and strength.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s what makes full-body <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so powerful. Instead of training with isolation moves like bicep curls, you&#8217;ll train movement patterns like squat and push. And when you train movements, you won&#8217;t forget muscles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The workout we&#8217;ve created here is a 2-day alternating full-body split. The plan is simple enough to work for beginners and still has enough progression options to challenge more advanced trainees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why just two training days? Because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires higher levels of skill development. And like any skill, you&#8217;ll need practice if you want to get better. You can&#8217;t just show up once a week and expect to master these moves. This plan gives you a chance to practice the moves multiple times per week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, the workout is performed 4 times within 7 days while avoiding training on back-to-back days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>A sample schedule might look like this:<\/h4>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday &#8211; Day 1<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuesday &#8211; Rest<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wednesday &#8211; Day 2<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thursday &#8211; Rest<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Friday &#8211; Day 1<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saturday &#8211; Rest<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday &#8211; Day 2<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day 1<\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A1. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamstring<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A2. Chest Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B1. Single-Leg Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B2. Back Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C1. Bicep Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2. Core Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D1. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> :30 of work, :30 rest x 5 rounds\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day 2<\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A1. Leg Exercise (Squat variation) 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A2. Shoulder Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B1. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glute<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B2. Back Exercise (preferably Chin-ups) 3&#215;3-10<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C1. Core Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tricep<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Exercise 3&#215;5-20<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D1. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardio<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> :30 of work, :30 rest x 5 rounds\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When exercises have the same letter and different number (A1 and A2, for example) perform them as a superset, doing one exercise after the other, and then resting for about a minute.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key to this workout is you choose the intensity. There are no expectations. The goal is to work hard and then improve each workout. It doesn&#8217;t matter how slow or fast you start. It&#8217;s all about where you&#8217;re going and the progress you&#8217;ll make.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to progress the workout?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start on the low end of the rep range for each movement. As you build strength, add reps each week. Once you reach the top end of the rep range (usually 20-25 reps), look to make the movement more challenging by adding bands or switching variations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait a second, where&#8217;s the <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIIT<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> training?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why am I not channeling Shawn T and blasting you with timed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">burpees<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> followed by little rest?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is very similar to exercise at the gym, it&#8217;s about getting better and stronger, week-over-week. It&#8217;s not about smoking yourself with negative rest periods (less rest than the amount of time it took you to complete the exercise).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those workouts can be fun from time to time (and I do put them in our client&#8217;s programs, usually done as an optional circuit day once per week).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, the fact is, using exhaustion to rate your workout &#8220;success&#8221; isn&#8217;t a good idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, bodyweight <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIIT<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> workouts are a recipe for injury (and it&#8217;s my job to help you train hard pain-free). Most of us are just not prepared for timed, high-impact exercises like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jump squats<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, skip the home <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIIT<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> workouts. You&#8217;ll get more benefit out of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strength training<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plans like we just shared and restorative low-intensity <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cardio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like walking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taking_It_Further_How_To_Add_Resistance_Training_When_Youre_Ready\"><\/span><b>Taking It Further: How To Add Resistance Training When You&#8217;re Ready<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At some point, rep-after-rep-after-rep doesn&#8217;t do the job, no matter how hard it feels. And, this is especially true for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bodyweight workouts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you want to make the most of your time training, you might need to add resistance at some point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most budget-friendly (and space-efficient) way to do that is with resistance bands, not <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dumbbells<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s why: Unlike a single pair of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dumbbells<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a resistance band set like this provides months and months of progression runway for relatively little cost. When a move becomes easy, swap in a thicker band.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And bands have been proven to help you build strength and muscle. As long as your bands provide enough resistance (more on that in a second), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24983847\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has shown that banded <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-ups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can create just as much strength as the bench press.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you read that correctly. However, the study participants were doing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heavy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> band <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-ups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (6 rep max). Most of us aren&#8217;t using that heavy of a band during the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">push-up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so your strength results might vary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it&#8217;s true that heavier loads at the gym might lead to higher muscle contraction force, that doesn&#8217;t mean higher loads are better at building muscle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research suggests you can build just as much muscle at lower intensities (less weight, more reps) as long as you push each set close to failure. And band training is perfect for that. The bands force you to control each movement&#8217;s entire range of motion and help maximize your muscle tension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to start challenging your body with resistance bands? Check out our blog post <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/beginner-resistance-band-workout\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a full, 4-week resistance band workout. Plus, a detailed video explanation for each exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"READ_MORE\"><\/span><b>READ MORE<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/no-equipment-home-workouts-fat-loss-edition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NO EQUIPMENT HOME WORKOUTS: FAT LOSS EDITION<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/the-truth-about-the-7-minute-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 7-MINUTE WORKOUT<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/whats-best-home-gym-equipment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHAT\u2019S THE BEST HOME GYM EQUIPMENT?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can your ability to do more pushups prolong your life?<\/p>\n<p>The question might sound like a joke, but science has recently focused on better ways to predict lifespan. And, one study found that your ability to crush pushups might determine if you can fight off cardiovascular disease. <\/p>\n<p>And, it\u2019s not just pushups. The link between bodyweight strength and your health is becoming too hard to ignore. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":5836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness","bf-level-all-levels","bf-level-beginner"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ultimate Guide To Bodyweight Exercises For Your Home Workout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why bodyweight training is a good idea to incorporate into most workout programs and example exercises to try at home.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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