(This article originally appeared on Chronicles of Strength) “Have nothing - will travel” That’s what I love about strength-based calisthenics training. You need practically nothing apart from the most bare minimum of equipment and you get some big returns on your time and sweat investment. Devotees of only the barbell or only the kettlebell will travel only as far as their cast iron weapon of choice will take them. And much respect to them, because their tool of … [Read more...] about 4 “Naked” Exercises For A Freak Greek Physique
From Bodyweight To Heavyweight Pt. 2:
Calisthenics For Iron Domination You know what, I get it. No really, I get it. You think of calisthenics as a “back up plan” when you don’t have any iron handy rather than a discipline to be practiced and mastered. To be honest, I don’t blame you. YouTube and Facebook are replete with matchstick-legged Eastern European street workout urchins posting party-trick calisthenics moves and blood-and-guts high-rep sets in tragically dub step-laden compilation videos all over the place, … [Read more...] about From Bodyweight To Heavyweight Pt. 2:
From Bodyweight to Heavy Weight Part 1:
Mining the one-arm/one-leg pushup for a heavier press (This article originally appeared on strongfirst.com) Long before the bench press was the apple of every gym rat’s eye, in the days before drugged-up muscle and pills, powders, and potions ruled the world’s fitness scene, only one thing set the real men and women apart from the boys and girls: strength. And the ultimate show of upper body strength was – and still is – the overhead press.Legendary powerlifting coach Marty … [Read more...] about From Bodyweight to Heavy Weight Part 1:
Get Better At 1-Arm Pushups (without doing them)
Yes, folks, sometimes there are shortcuts in life. Wanna improve the number of one-arm pushups you can do? Have you ever tried NOT doing more one-arm pushups? Sounds counter-intuitive, I know, but it may be just what the doctor ordered. In fact, this lesson can be learned not only with one-arm pushups, but pretty much whatever other pet lift or exercise *YOU* obsess over to the bold and senseless exclusion of other equally-worthy and helpful exercises (ones whose regular practice will … [Read more...] about Get Better At 1-Arm Pushups (without doing them)
Get Fitter *without* beating your body up
Hard to believe, but it's not only possible, it's the only way. The idea of beating yourself up with your training every time you walk into the gym seems to be an entirely new one as far as I can tell. Not because people never did it before, but because so many "professionals" in the fitness industry seem to be telling their clients/followers that only by giving it everything they've got, by pouring out every ounce and every drop, could they ever hope to achieve the muscular development and … [Read more...] about Get Fitter *without* beating your body up