Print This Article Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Bodyweight Training For Fitness: More Than You Think?

By: Eddie Lomax Home |


Fitness is a complex term. This is why when you ask someone for a universal definition of fitness you usually get something vague like this, "Fitness is being fit". Don't believe me, ask someone (even fitness professionals). But once you understand the true nature of fitness, I'm confident you'll see why bodyweight training for fitness should be a part of your over-all workout program.

So, let's begin with my definition of physical fitness!

Fitness is the acceptable and deliberate compromise of competence and ability to perform in all the areas of cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and toughness to produce optimum performance results under the greatest amount of circumstances.

You'd better read that again to make sure you get it.

As you can see, fitness is more than being strong. It is more than having powerful heart and lungs. Fitness is the ability to use all your physical abilities simultaneously and seamlessly to overcome physical challenges. And bodyweight training is an excellent method for training for over-all fitness!

Normally, people seeking fitness focus on only one or two of the physical abilities needed to be fit. Or, they base their training on the RESULT of being fit, like burning fat or building muscle. You see, having muscle or being lean does not necessarily mean you are fit! However, being fit usually manifests itself as a strong, muscular, lean body.

There are three types of challenges you'll face in sport, work and life.

1)The challenge requires you move your body to successfully complete the task
2)The challenge requires you move an exterior object to successfully complete the task
3)The challenge requires you to move your body and an exterior object to successfully complete the task

And to make things more complicated, the challenge can require any of the physical abilities of fitness and in any combination. As you can see, being able to move your own body is needed for two of the types of challenges, and therefore should be trained accordingly. Bodyweight training is that important.

Think of it this way, there are so many abilities to train in order to be fit, you need a versatile tool capable of training them all. And there is no better tool than your own body. Bodyweight training can effectively target all of the physical abilities needed to be fit.

Compare bodyweight training to weight training. Bodyweight training is a much more accessible and versatile form of training. Don't get me wrong, I like weight training and think it superior for some types of training. I just think bodyweight training has more to offer in terms of improving all the physical skills of fitness.

So, if you want to truly be fit, you need to improve all the physical abilities of fitness. Bodyweight training for fitness should be a part of everyone's physical training program. Because when you are truly fit, you'll not only meet the challenges of sport, work and life with excellence, you'll look great too!



Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
Coach Eddie Lomax, author of Workout Without Weights has put together a bodyweight calisthenics progressive program together that takes bodyweight training for fitness to the next level!

Tags: , , ,

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Articles Via RSS!

Recent Related Articles From

  • Fitness Interval Training Basics
    By: Jaks Lloyd | Aug 22nd 2007
    Interval training is the best method to allow the body to build new capillaries leading to an increased ability to deliver the necessary oxygen to strengthen muscles, including the heart muscle Read

  • Strength Training For Triple Jump
    By: Lynn VanDyke | Jul 27th 2007
    Strength Training for Triple Jump Is Necessary. You Must Create a Well-Rounded Routine to Increase Your Triple Jump Score. Strong Legs, Core and Upper Body Are Completely Necessary! Read

  • 5 Surefire Ways To Get Rock-solid Boxing Muscles
    By: Rahim Jiwani | Mar 10th 2010
    There are many strategies for fitness strength training. But nothing else makes sense once you learn about MMA & boxing fitness. Discover real 'secrets' most fitness trainers will never know about how build rock-solid boxing muscles. Sign up right now for the FREE "Unparalleled Fitness" Newsletter. To find out exactly how t ... Read

  • Private Personal Training †How To Hire A Trainer Who Delivers Results
    By: Jon Godfrey | Sep 24th 2010
    Before I begin, let me state upfront that I am speaking from personal experience. I’ve worked with countless personal trainers in an effort to meet my fitness goals, and unfortunately, have been mostly disappointed with the results. It wasn’t until I found the right trainer that I began to truly reap the reap rewards o ... Read

  • Are You Making These 5 Muscle Building Mistakes?
    By: Lee Hayward | May 7th 2008
    We have so much fitness information coming at us from TV, books, magazines, and websites that people are more frustrated and confused then ever before. It's hard to know whom or what to believe anymore. That's why Lee Hayward has put together a list of the most common muscle building mistakes to help clear up the confusion ... Read

  • Forced Reps: Detrimental To Natural Bodybuilding
    By: Scott Abbett | May 4th 2007
    This article advises those engaged in natural bodybuilding (without the use of steroids) and weight training to bypass the use of "forced reps" and other intensifying techniques in order to make bigger gains and steadier progress. Read

  • Stop Ignoring Bodyweight Training And Start Benefiting From It
    By: Eddie Lomax | Dec 4th 2007
    Is bodyweight training better than weight training? Who cares? Both bodyweight exercise and weight training are beneficial for fitness, fat loss and physique building. Don't ignore proper bodyweight training. Read

  • Memory Training: Higher Altitude Training For Your Brain
    By: Clifton Flack | Oct 28th 2009
    The brain training games and the brain teasers are a complete package which provides a holistic solution for brain development. The brain teasers are designed in a way to encourage you to think out of the box. Read

  • Fitness Strength Training - Fitness Training Tips Guaranteed To Produce Results
    By: JP Davis | Jun 18th 2009
    Fitness strength training benefits individuals looking to become physically stronger while losing weight... Read

  • Dog Training: Hunting Dogs: Training Equipment That Is Essential
    By: Freddy Cedano | Apr 17th 2006
    Producing a finished" hunting dog, one that will perform the tasks of pointing out game or retrieving game, is not a simple matter. In some cases, it can take several hunting seasons and specialized training equipment to achieve the desired results.

    It would be ludicrous to begin training a dog to perform h ...
    Read


Copyright © 2005-2011 eArticlesOnline, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy