15 good reasons to bodyweight exercise!

The last two days have seen a little series on bodyweight exercise training and I have tried to outline some of the key benefits and features of bodyweight training as part of your own programme for a number of reasons that have been previously raised and are done so again below. In wrapping up, here are a host of reasons why you should give this ever increasingly popular exercise regime a go or at least combine it in some small way with what you might already be doing. Found at 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8849681) and written by John Rivers (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Rivers) it make s a lot of sense and is hard to refute. Take note therefore, and get into it!



When looking to increase strength and build muscle, most individuals turn to traditional weights. While these weights can be effective, they can also cause problems on your joints, tendons, and other body parts due to the strain your body undergoes when lifting.

Fortunately, there is a way to get weight training without the drawbacks of weights. Bodyweight training uses the body to help build muscle and increase strength with nothing, but, the weight of ones own body.

By using exercises that rely solely on bodily strength such as push-ups, squats and lunges, you can build amazing muscles, improve your endurance, and increase your strength.

Not entirely convinced?

Here are 15 reasons why you should train with bodyweight instead of weights.

• It Saves You Money: Traditional weights and free weights cost money and may require extra equipment that could be very expensive. When using your own bodyweight for weight training and conditioning, you cut out the middle man, which keeps you from spending lots of money.

• It's Gentler on Your Joints: Bodyweight exercises are kinder on the joints and they don't get battered as much as with traditional weight training. Because you're using your own body, you have a much more natural range of motion that cuts back on strain and stress.

• It Increases Your Resistance: When you know how to properly perform bodyweight training exercises, you can increase your resistance and build stronger muscles. Exercises that really challenge your muscles like one arm push-ups, steep incline jumps and inverted rows can work wonders on your resistance.

• It Builds Character: Bodyweight training requires a lot of patience and discipline, which are traits that translate well into your everyday life. When you teach yourself to wait patiently and maintain focus, you can do well in your relationships, jobs, and other aspects of your life.

• You Can Gain (Good) Weight: As you progress with bodyweight exercises, you'll begin to gain muscle. As you gain muscle, the amount of weight you're lifting increases, giving you a gradual increase in difficulty which builds your endurance.

• You Can Learn New Skills: Bodyweight training exercises are done using only the body. Many people don't have enough or any knowledge about these exercises. When you try bodyweight training, you're adding a new skill to your repertoire.

• Lower Risk of Injuries: Bodyweight exercises are simpler than traditional weight training exercises, which means the risk of injury is much lower. If you're new to weight training of any kind, bodyweight training is the best kind to start with.

• It's Customisable: Most weight and strength training have specific steps that you must follow. When doing bodyweight training, you can modify the exercises to your skill and ability level, making them the right exercises for you personally.

• You Learn To Develop Better Control: Bodily control is a great skill to have as you move through your strength training. Bodyweight training allows you to build better awareness of your body and control over your actions.

• All You Need Is Yourself: Bodyweight training is incredibly low maintenance, meaning it requires nothing, but, you to work and work well. You can add free weights or dumbbells if you like, but the best bodyweight training is done using only your body and the proper exercises.

• It Can Be Done Anywhere: With bodyweight training, you don't have to be confined to the gym or to your home. You have the freedom to practise these exercises wherever you like, whether at the beach or at the park; it's all up to you.

• It Builds a Great Physique: If you want a sculpted body there's no better way to achieve one than with bodyweight training. These exercises can actively work your abs, as well as the muscles in your back and upper chest, legs and butt to create a healthy, sculpted body.

• You Really Can Get Stronger: Most people have trouble lifting their own bodyweight which makes bodyweight training an excellent exercise. As you learn to lift your own weight, you have the potential to gain muscle quickly, making you stronger all the time.

• Anyone Can Do It: Not everyone can lift weights, but, they can learn to modify exercises used for bodyweight training. Sine this training type is customisable, it can be done by people of all ages.

• It's Good For You: It may seem cliché, but, any type of exercise is good for you and your body. While you can enjoy the aesthetic benefits, such as, muscles and a lean physique, you can also enjoy a healthy heart, lungs, and other vital systems.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Cardio - three key exercises for weight loss!

Cardio - raise that heartbeat for a sustained period to help in your weight loss and fitness goals, but what is best for you? Here is some further advice around swimming, cycling and running/jogging that you may find helpful, enjoyable ultimately and not overly strenuous, but will definitely aid you in reaching your objectives. Sourced from 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/7046683) and written by Suzie Ling (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzie_Ling).

Cardio is a great ally in the difficult task of weight loss. If somebody wants to lose weight, he or she probably has a weight which is above the recommended healthy level. And being overweight is not healthy at all. Being overweight can cause many problems and one of those problems is heart related problems.

Similarly, being under the recommended healthy weight is not good for you. If you stay in any of these dangerous weight zones for too long, many problems may occur. This is because we have to maintain our weight between the normal values as well as practising physical exercises to keep our bodies functioning and healthy.

Excessive body weight can cause heart problems. Like a car needs its engine, we need our heart. With this in mind, we therefore need to protect our heart and avoid unhealthy habits that may affect our health. Additionally, physical exercise will maintain our health as well as our heart.

We can even find some of the best cardio for weight loss in order to reduce our weight in a healthy way on the Internet and by practising cardio exercises we will be helping our heart and our body.

There are some of the best cardio exercises for losing weight:

Swimming:  is a very good cardio exercise in order to lose weight and to keep you healthy. Swimming allows you to exercise your entire body and it is an excellent way to lose weight. Swimming is among the best cardio for weight loss. Additionally, this type of physical exercise doesn't cause any injury relating bones or joints, because you will be exercising in the water with reduced resistance.

Running: you don't need any kind of special equipment for this exercise, however you will need a good pair of trainers in order to prevent any kind of damage to your bones or joints. Also, you will need comfortable clothes so you can move without any problem. Running will help you losing weight by burning calories, though of course you can't run only five or ten minutes - you will have to run around half an hour each time. A good tip is to listen to music or run with someone else as this will help you keep motivated to run further even if you are tired.

Cycling: by cycling at least thirty minutes a day you will improve your endurance and lose weight. Cycling is a very simple activity and an effective exercise to lose weight. Additionally, you can practise this exercise by going to work or school by bicycle. You just have to be creative and find the best way to incorporate your best cardio for weight loss exercises in your day to day activities.

These are only three of the best cardio for weight loss exercises that you can undertake in order to be healthier, to lose weight and to improve your physical skills such as endurance and strength.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-