SubscribeAre The Bodyweight Exercises You’re Doing Too Easy Or Too Hard?
Are the bodyweight exercises you’re doing too difficult or too easy? People always seem to be one-sided when it comes to bodyweight exercises. They’re either too easy or too hard. I’ve got some tips and exercise variations for you today on how to fix all that—whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Push Ups
- Increase difficulty by putting your feet up on a 6” box. The elevation shifts your bodyweight forward, making the push up harder.
- If you really want to step it up and make push ups SUPER hard, use a resistance band by wrapping it around your back and anchoring it with both hands.
- Decrease difficulty by going on your knees.
Pull Ups
- Increase difficulty by touching your chest to the bar
- Even harder, do weighted pull ups by putting a dumbbell between your knees
- Decrease difficultly by using a resistance band. Wrap it around the bar and stick one foot in. The thicker the band, the easier the pull up will be.
- Another easy way is to do jumping pull ups. Jump up to the bar instead of starting at a stand still. Use the jumping momentum to pull yourself up.
Air Squats (Bodyweight Squats)
- Increase difficultly by squatting past 90 degrees brining your thighs parallel to the floor (no, this is not bad for your knees contrary to popular belief).
- If you’re advanced, try one-legged squats and go as low as you can.
- Increase your intensity with squat jumps. Jump up as high as you can, landing in the squat position and repeat.
Try some of these tips out with your next workout and feel the difference. I guarantee you’ll change your view on bodyweight exercises!
MAXWORKOUTS get you leaner,
stronger & fitter -- faster.
About The Author
Shin Ohtake is a widely recognized strength coach and fitness & fat-loss expert. His unconventional, no-nonsense approach to getting fit has made him the go-to source for fitness enthusiasts and trainers alike. Shin is also the author of the world famous, MAX Workouts book, which has transformed and reshaped the bodies of thousands of people across the globe - without requiring hours in the gym. To learn more about how MAX Workouts can help you achieve your fitness goals, visit maxworkouts.com.
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How often should I change routines?, just a little background. I’m 53yoa, I would say in better shape than most my age, I love working out and have free weights and a home gym, arthritis in both hands, some in my shoulders and two knee replacements, sounds like a mess but I seem to get by and have the drive to improve my fitness level, heavy weights are out they cause to much inflamation to the joints esp. my shoulders, I split routines, 4 day workout with upper one day, legs(carefull because of the replacements) the next but I don’t seem to be gaining as I would like, also I do take suppliments, NO Xplode does help with motivation and focus and I use MRM whey protein, any advise? or recommendations?. I’m not AARP material yet, like I said I have the drive, just need a little coaching….Gary
