The Best Bodyweight Workouts for Weight Loss and Fitness
Bodyweight Workouts for Weight Loss
Bodyweight workouts are the best options to go for when it comes to losing weight and maintaining fitness. They are a combination of cardiovascular and muscle building bodyweight workouts, facilitating burning of fat and increased metabolism. These exercises are often considered for military fitness training, martial arts, sports, dance and other activities. The best thing about these body weight workouts is that they don't require any equipment so they can be done at home, offices, parks and even in hotel rooms.
The Bodyweight Workout Routine
Bodyweight Squats
The squat is an important exercise for building muscle, power and strength. It primarily works on the glutes (buttocks), the quads (outer thighs) and other leg muscles. Squats are great for strengthening lower backs. Athletes, swimmers, skiers, dancers and martial artists will benefit most from these exercises.
Push ups or Press ups
Push ups and press ups are core bodyweight workouts. They strengthen the shoulders, triceps, forearms and backs, making them much leaner. These exercises can be modified to suit the strengths of people. Press-ups can be done against walls and push ups can be done on knees or with the use of stability balls. Martial artists often demonstrate one-hand push ups.
Lunges
Lunges are often considered second to squats in terms of developing glutes and thighs. They may be simple to perform but people of added weight may find them hard work. Dumbbell lunges can be great body weight workouts for weight loss starters since doing these do not require squat racks.
The Plank
The plank is often used as basis for evaluating core strength. It is demonstrated with the body supported either by the hands, feet, or forearms in classic press-up position. When doing the plank, it is important to keep your back straight up. When it starts sagging, it means you are getting tired and must take time to rest. Planks can be performed on the side, in half or in full position.
Jumping Jack
This is perhaps the most old school from the workout options but is great for burning fat and increasing the heart rate. Jumping jacks are performed by jumping to one position with widely spread legs and hands touching or clapping overhead. Intensive versions include bending over and reaching the ground between the jumps.
Mountain Climbers
Mountain Climbers can be great for core and bodyweight cardio strengthening. They primarily work on the abdominals, legs, chest and shoulder altogether. Begin with a push-push up position but with one leg bent forward. Simply switch your legs so one will always be straight behind, with the other bent beneath your torso. You can work slow or fast, depending on the pace you're comfortable with.
Abdominal Cycles
Abdominal cycles are great for strengthening the abdomen and building abs. There are a variety of cycling exercises that can be considered. Bicycle kicks include lying flat on the floor with arms behind the head and bringing the elbows over to one knee at a time in a twisting motion. Another exercise is cycling on air. This is demonstrated by lying on the floor and bringing the legs up on the air in a cycling or pedaling motion.
Crunches
Doing these body weight workouts for weight loss are best for toning down belly fat especially when done with proper breathing techniques. There are several exercises which you can consider, including regular crunches, oblique crunches, right and left side crunches, reverse crunches and bicycle crunches. Choose the bodyweight exercise that you feel comfortable doing and that which your body can sustain.
These are just a few exercises you can use to get in shape and lose weight.
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