Bodyweight exercises to do when all else fails
Do you ever want to skip a workout?
I'm in the fitness business, and even I get worn down, burned out, and flat-out sick of working out. Sometimes I'm too busy, too tired, or I just don't have the energy to create a new workout.
When I'm faced with a day like this, I'm tempted to just skip the workout. While this wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I have a hard time doing it. After so many years of exercise, a workout has become a staple in my daily routine. It's hard for me to function when I do absolutely no exercise.
So, when I'm not in the mood for a well-planned and organized workout - I will simply knock out 100 pushups or 100 pullups. These are two of my favorite (and convenient) bodyweight exercises. That's it. 100 of either one and I'm out.
I call this my "when all else fails" bodyweight workout. I can do it anywhere and anytime. I can flex the intensity of the sets based on my mood. I can even break the workout up and do it throughout the day. It's not the greatest workout in the world, but at the end of the day I feel great about having done something.
What's your "when all else fails" workout? If you don't have one, try to create one. This will be the workout that you will do no matter how tired, hungry, overworked, overtired, overwhelmed, or overscheduled you are. Promise yourself that you will bang this out - no matter what.
Here are some keys to good "when all else fails" exercises:
- convenient (pommel horse exercises would not work well)
- full body (ideally, an exercise that works most of your body)
- bodyweight only (no excuses)
Once you get a favorite "when all else fails workout" you will be surprised how often you pull it out. I once used it for 10 days straight. Hey, 500 pullups and 500 pushups in 10 days isn't too shabby. The good news is that it kept my head in the game and I was able to get back on track without losing much strength.
Let me know what you "when all else fails" workout is? I love to hear other people's ideas. Sometimes I adopt them for myself.
Stay fit,
phil