Is Bodyweight Training All That Is Really Needed?

 Heated debates can be interesting when it comes to things in the fitness world and what works and what doesn't when it comes to exercise. A general outlook to what is perceived the "superior method" and how it applies to certain aspects of life outside of it. Ultimately, it boils down to what your goals are and what gives you the practitioner the benefits.

If you look at it from a certain perspective, yes, bodyweight training is at the top of the list as the method for training anytime and any place. There are so many things you can do without a single shred of equipment or very minimal other than a pull-up bar and maybe even a chair. However, bodyweight does have drawbacks like anything else. There are aspects of strength that it may lack and there are things that may create imbalances without proper knowledge. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, hell it's better for you than killing yourself with extremely heavy weight and it is one ideal method to master more than anything else. Once you have mastered your bodyweight, whatever else is just icing on the cake bro.

If one chooses to do nothing but bodyweight, that's awesome and the only limit is your imagination. I did it for so long it's like a second language to me and it will always be a part of my journey. I do like having other options though if opportunities arise. It's not like I have a complete gym set up, most of my equipment is in storage cause it wouldn't be wise to have some of those things in an apartment where you're on three floors. What I do have and am able to use at home works well for me at the moment and when I need to, I'll head down to the storage place, pick out what I want and head over to the park and play around. 

Now, even if you did only bodyweight training, there's even debates on what exercises one should do and what you will be criticized for. For instance, step ups is a favorite form of leg training but it has been a while since I've done them and doing more squats like Hindus, (BW) Goblet Squat Style and Sumo Variations from time to time. Same with push-ups, you can do crazy high reps which is great if you want to get good at them but there are ways to make push-ups harder which creates stronger stimulation to build muscle. Use handles or chairs for deeper stretches, handstands, fingertips or things like the Push-Up Grip Spikes from Stronger Grip that ties in grip strength, balancing even in the basic positions and utilizing more tension to create stability. Step Ups in my opinion are better than any machine and you can work your legs unilaterally to build strength and stamina that also helps fixing imbalances. Pistols are awesome too and things like Bulgarian Split Squats, Lunges & Shrimp Squats. I'm not big on the pistols much and I don't have the best form of balance when it comes to doing them but the others work just as well and have built strength from them. 

There's different styles of bodyweight training one can do to build levels of strength and endurance. Sprint Training, Gymnastics, Barstarzz, Animal Moves, Isometrics, Plyometrics, DDP Yoga, all have their place in doing what is possible for you. Quite frankly if you did nothing but these, you'd still be a hell of an athlete. From a reality based POV, they're all great options for what you want to achieve. If one wants to go to the gym and just do stuff there, that's great, they're doing something but I believe there's more to life outside of the gym. The gym has its place in many things. I joined up at Forge Fitness here in town because for... 

1. It has things that are pretty gnarly that I like.

 2. I get to support someone locally instead of just any typical gym like Anytime or something.

3. It has that old school vibe. Yeah there's a few machines but the way the Barbells, Dumbbells and Racks are set up, it has that aura of a dungeon type atmosphere where guys can train like those of the past. 

4. It's actually a hell of a lot cheaper than the majority of gyms around here that range from 50-90 bucks a month that have things that are way too fancy for my taste. 

5. It's another place that I can work on things that are fun to play with. 

I'll still do bodyweight training everywhere I go cause it's easy to figure out. Everything else is part of the package deal with me LOL. Do I need the gym, no. I like going cause it's part of what I love doing and that's training. I have always believed that if you're a true student of Physical Culture, you can create a workout anywhere you want with the knowledge & application and being part of a gym is just another aspect to it. 

So, back to the question at hand....Is bodyweight training all that is needed and nothing else? In most cases yes, you can go your entire existence without ever picking up a barbell or dumbbell or do something on a machine. Is bodyweight training good for as an addition or even something you do the majority of next to weights? Fuck yes, matter of fact, make it something to use as finishers or something great to do on off days with your regular gym routine. It will always be there when you want to do it. Like I said, it is important to master but in addition to that, it is the best ally for any method you practice. 

Be amazingly awesome and keep killing it in your journey.