As you know I’m a massive fan of bodyweight training and use it all the time with my clients.

But what’s the big deal with it? Some fitness professionals swear by it, while others have little time for it – they’re too busy lifting iron and pounding cardio kit.

Bodyweight training is not only the purest form of strength training – it’s also the most natural, and a discipline that’s been practiced for many years with proven results. A good bodyweight routine is a sure way to boost strength and build lean toned muscle, but its benefits don’t end there.

Every time you perform a bodyweight move, such as a press-up, you’re performing what’s known as a closed kinetic chain exercise i.e. one where you move, rather than you moving a weight. The benefits of this are many. Firstly, closed kinetic chain exercises follow a more natural range of movement and expose your body to less stress, therefore reducing the likelihood of injury.

One of the most compelling arguments for bodyweight training is the manner in which it builds functional strength. Bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups, lunges, and squats mirror movements you make in real life, such as getting out of the car or lifting heavy objects. In replicating these real-life events, you’re performing movements that your body is built to do. Repetition, through bodyweight training, will strengthen your muscles, improve muscle memory and improve your ability to perform these practical movements in every aspect of your life.

Another reason I recommend bodyweight exercises is because of their emphasis on compound movements. Many bodyweight exercises, such as those used in my 1-2-1 PERSONAL TRAINING, 21 DAY WEIGHT LOSS PLAN and my SMALL GROUP PT SESSIONS include multi-joint compound movements that work several muscle groups simultaneously. This is harder and means you burn more calories so it’s super efficient for fat loss. Also if you’re looking to increase strength, compound movements should form the foundation of your training regime.

In summary, here’s the overall benefits of bodyweight training

• Inexpensive
• Convenient – no equipment, do anywhere at anytime
• Build muscle, lose fat, and increase fitness
• Exercises follow a natural range of movement
• Builds functional strength
• Reduces the risk of injury

So as you can see the case for bodyweight training isn’t just a convincing one it’s a no-brainer. If you’re not sure where to start try this FREE FAT BLASTING BODYWEIGHT WORKOUT. You’ll love it. Make sure you let me know how you get on.

Love Gaynor x