Building muscle without weights seems like a tough and boring job. It might be true if you are not aware of some tips and tricks on how to make calisthenics more motivational, engaging, and fun. So, get on the right mindset to be more productive with your no-weights workout.
First thing on the list: be positive. Working out without weights can be limiting and discouraging, but you should see the upsides of your situation. If you master calisthenic workouts, you can get fit and defined even without a gym nearby. You can exercise practically anywhere you want. You won’t miss your workouts even when you go on vacation with your family or your boss asks you to travel somewhere to close a deal. There are many advantages to working out without weights and you can think of them whenever you feel like a no-weights workout is a lost cause.
Next, be creative. If you are feel like you’re not going anywhere with your current calisthenics routine, think of a more progressive workout to keep you moving forward. Most of the time, people who work out without weights feel a bit stuck with the usual push-ups-pull-ups routine, not knowing that there’s a whole range of other progressive calisthenic movements out there to compensate for their lack of weights. Come up with other variations of your typical exercises. You’d be surprised that the workouts you’ve known all your life can be made more intense and productive with just a little ingenuity.
You can also make your own weights at home (or anywhere, actually). Let your son ride on your back while you do push-ups or you can just put heavy books on your back. Ask your partner to sit on your shoulders while you do squats. There’s always some way to make your exercises more intense.
Finally, be productive. Working out at home sometimes need a little more motivation to get you going. You need more discipline to do your exercises regularly. You also have to add more resistance and intensity to your training to compensate for your lack of weights and equipment. So you need to grind as much workouts as you can in your training sessions every week. Increase your sets and reps and decrease your rest periods.
Aside from calisthenics, you can also work out by engaging in other physical sports like marathon, basketball, boxing, and swimming. Aside from helping you building muscle, these sports can improve your stamina and endurance.
Working out without weights is slow-going and won’t produce quick results. But if you stay productive during your training hours, you will be rewarded with a toned body.
Building muscle without weights may not be the most ideal way to bulk up. But for some, this may be the most convenient way. Don’t let the lack of access to a gym or lack of training equipment stop you from getting the shape you want. Remember, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
