When we think about gaining ‘strength’, using weights, like a pair of dumbbells or an Olympic barbell, often comes to mind. But did you know you can build strength using just your bodyweight? This workout of the week from Arnold Schwarzenegger's Pump Club newsletter focuses on just that by working all the muscle groups in your body. As with most full-body workouts, it’s time efficient too and will only take you 20 minutes, so can squeeze it into your busy schedule. All you need to do is pop on your workout shoes.
So, how do you increase your overall strength using just your bodyweight? The key to strength training is making sure your muscles are encountering enough resistance. “Resistance is required to break down muscle so it can repair bigger and stronger,” says the International Sports Science Association. “But you do not need weights to break down muscle tissue.” For a lot of people, their body weight will challenge their muscles enough to help them get stronger, so weights aren’t a necessity. However, the key is to continually challenge your muscles so, once bodyweight exercises become too easy, then you may need to look at introducing weights.
