No gym, no problem! Get fit and strong with what Mother Nature gave you.

1. Photo Credit: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-7584568630
Your Body
– The Ultimate Gym
Carl Phillips
www.frictionlessliving.net

2. Somewhere along the way we’ve gotten away from how simple
strength and fitness training can be. While new technology is
certainly not without its benefits in many cases it doesn’t
always help in our quest to get stronger or fitter.
You already have all you need to get strong, your own body.
Golden Era Muscle & Might
Old time and pre-steroid strongmen knew the value of
gymnastic and calisthenic type movements and got very strong
in them (as well as training with weights). These guys knew
that with chin ups and dips alone you could work the entire
upper body and work it hard.
Bodyweight Benefits
So why should we work on bodyweight moves?
1)
Portable
You always have your body with you so there’s no excuse not
to get some work in. All you need is the floor, a little space,
maybe something to hang from (for pull ups etc) and your
imagination.
2)
Cost Effective
Unlike most gyms, you don’t need a membership to use it and
can use it whenever you like.
www.frictionlessliving.net

3. 3)
Easier On Joints
Heavy weights can take a toll on your body. Wear and tear
and injuries will not build your fitness. While you shouldn’t
abuse any training, bodyweight work can be less stressful on
your joints and make recovery easier while still providing an
effective load to work against.
4)
Functional
Functional is an overused and abused phrase in the world of
fitness no doubt but what could be more functional than being
able to handle your own bodyweight? In fact, if you can’t
move your own bodyweight well what makes you think you
should be using any external resistance at all?
5)
Fun
Moving your body through space just feels good and can be fun
(as well as hard work). Mastering harder and more elite level
bodyweight moves (front levers, L-Sits etc) also has the added
value of looking rather cool if anyone is watching!
www.frictionlessliving.net

4. 6)
Limited Only by Your Imagination
Think you’ve progressed beyond bodyweight moves? Well, if
elite level gymnasts and indeed the military can still get a great
workout and training effect using their bodyweight alone, what
makes you think you cannot? Vary the angles to make moves
harder. Use one limb instead of two (one handed pull ups
anyone?)
Maybe it’s time to revisit the concept that your own weight can
be enough.
About the Author (Carl Phillips)
Carl is a part time blogger/writer with an interest and passion for (amongst other
things):
-Simplicity, Lifestyle Design and Self Improvement
-Fitness and Health
-Wildlife (in particular the big cats)
-Making the most of life
You can find out more and reach him at his blog (www.frictionlessliving.net).
www.frictionlessliving.net

5. What is Frictionless Living all about?
Frictionless Living is dedicated to identifying and recognising how we
can all embrace a little simplicity and creative thinking to make life richer
and more rewarding. We cover many topics including:
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Simplicity and How it can Enrich our lives
How Less Really Can Mean More
Productivity Tips
Conventional Wisdom and Why it Doesn’t Always Make Sense
80/20 and Pareto Inspired Thinking
Fitness & Health (the Frictionless way!)
Living Life on Your Own Terms
And lots more!
At the heart of it all is the constant quest to cut out that which does not
matter so we can make space for those things that do matter to us in
our lives.
Pay a visit at: www.frictionlessliving.net.
www.frictionlessliving.net