The 1-1/2 rep method. This is great for bodyweight training and it hits your muscles MUCH deeper. It’s tough, but it means you become STRONGER.
… yes, you can get stronger with just bodyweight.
For example, let’s take a look at the 1-1/2 rep method for the Split Squat. You’ll go all the way down, come halfway up, then all the way down and then FINALLY, all the way up. That’s one rep.
This puts more tension on your quads, hamstrings and glutes, forcing those muscles to work harder. You can also do this with:
– Variety of Pushups
– Variety of Lunges
– Rollouts (this is pure evil – roll all the way out, halfway back in, then all the way out and then all the way back in. Your abs will be smoked!
The bonus with this type of bodyweight training is that while you get stronger, you also give your joints a break.
Now when it comes to bodyweight training, you probably think burpees, bodyweight squats, planks, etc.
These are great for conditioning, but now let’s shift and talk about using bodyweight exercises to get STRONGER.
There isn’t anything wrong with conditioning, but getting strong is just as important as being conditioned. In fact, when you’re stronger, you can lift your own bodyweight with more challenging exercises, which burns more fat.
So, being stronger will = MORE fat loss.
When it comes to getting stronger with bodyweight exercises, you’ll want to stick in the 5 – 10 rep range. The high-rep stuff won’t cut it.
Don’t forget, when you get stronger, that means you become more athletic. And it doesn’t matter what fitness level you are. It’s all about “body awareness”.
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