For many people, bodyweight training tends to get boring after a while, and stagnating results do not really help the situation. Is there a way around this? Absolutely! Tweaking your routines allows for continuous progress.
If we are honest, boredom is often the core reason why our fitness and self-care routines turn to a tiresome chore or even why we stop doing them. It’s easier to create bodyweight training exercise plans that target specific body goals. Since not everyone is lucky to have a set of the best home gym equipment, it’s essential to vary your training techniques to retain and enhance progress.
Most people think bodyweight strength training gets easier, but varying setups and creating manipulations can eliminate this shortcoming. One of the best benefits of bodyweight training is it allows you to stay fit even without gym equipment.
So what are some of the smart techniques you can apply to your training plans?
- Swap Sprinting for Distance Running
If you’re aiming for slimmer thighs, then distance running will give you better and faster results compared to sprinting. Running for 90 minutes or more eats into your muscles more. It’s because the body has burned out the carbs and fats, so it starts to burn the protein present in the muscle for fuel.
If the goal is slim thighs, then long-distance running will achieve better results than sprinting
Long-distance running focuses more on endurance than muscle growth. So, your running plans should be at least an hour and a half long and include cross-training to your exercise plans as well.
- Boosting Your Butt
The trick is in understanding bodyweight strength training anatomy so you can adopt specific exercises for specific body parts.
For instance, strength training is better than swimming if your goal is shapely glutes. Even though swimming requires complete core and body strength, water buoyancy has no effects on your glutes. On the other hand, strength training helps you produce curves by rounding out your back.
So, include several sets of lunges, squats, step-ups to your exercise plan twice a week. For a perfectly balanced body, don’t forget to exercise your core and upper body.
- Toning the Tummy
Most global bodyweight training plans are by individuals who want to cut off the belly fat. Most plans include dieting and interval training to help burn the calories. However, the progress curve tends to flatten after a while, and the results stagnate.
Pilates is the solution. They force you to engage your midsections. The more you advance in levels, the more fats you burn. Technically, Pilates will melt the fat off your midsection and leave you with a set of well-defined abs.
- Increasing the Curves
Yoga is great for increasing your core strength and improving your balance, but it will not curve out your body. Muscle growth is essential for shaping out your body, and yoga just doesn’t cut it. (Well, unless you’re into extremist yoga).
However, CrossFit involves a lot of trunk and overhead weight lifting. Every time you load your spine, head, or pelvis, your body is forced to adapt to the midline area, hence becoming stronger and muscular. The stronger and more muscular your hips and glutes are, the shapelier your body becomes.
- Bodyweight Training for Mass
Even though most people focus on bodyweight training to increase muscle mass, it can also be used to prevent mass muscle gain.
Heavy lifting results in muscle, so instead, go for barre and isometric movements to achieve the opposite effect. Since the barre utilizes light weights, it doesn’t break down the muscle fibers. Hence it doesn’t lead to muscle growth. The goal of barre is to tone and strengthen the body without build.
- Reduce the Booty
Only bodyweight training plans can help you curve or reduce your butt size. Weights are great for firming and shaping your glutes, but hot yoga will help you strengthen and tone your body without building your glutes.
Conclusion
Bodyweight training is a great way of toning and strengthening your body. In addition, you can tailor your exercise plans to achieve specific body goals.
What is your experience with bodyweight training? Is it something you would recommend? Drop a comment down below, we would love to hear from you!
Author’s bio:
Rachel Burns has been writing on topics related to fitness and healthy eating for 2 years now. As a mother, she really appreciates the ease of raising children with her advice.
Rachel specializes in plant-based diets. In addition to nutrition, she is also an exercise enthusiast
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