Body weight training or strength training remains high on the list of the most popular exercise routines. As a matter of fact, several sources reportedly rank it in second place, preceded only by wearable technology, as the latest and greatest exercise trend for this year. Of course for those of us who have been working on strength training as part of a regular exercise routine, this doesn’t come as much surprise.
The popularity of body weight training can be partly attributed to the variety of exercises that it includes. Lunges, squats, dips, push-ups and pull-ups are all easy to do right in the comfort and convenience of your own home. You can go to the gym, but if you are pressed for time, 30 minutes of body weight training will keep you on track.
Body weight training refers to using the weight of your own body as resistance to build strength and muscle. One of the great things about body weight training is that you can adjust the exercises to fit your routine. It’s easy to increase the number of reps and sets for a tougher and longer workout. So whether you are a beginner or a novice, you can incorporate body weight training to help you shape your body and make it stronger.
Once the exercises start to become easy, you may want to take it to the next level with the additional weight of a dumbbell. This will help you continue to build strength while chiseling your waistline and flattening your tummy. To ensure you always work those muscles around your waist and strive toward a flat tummy, be sure to engage your core throughout every exercise.
Engaging your core is not the same thing as holding in your stomach. When you engage your core, you should be breathing normally, not holding your breath. To engage your core, imagine your belly button is being magnetically drawn to your spine. Practice engaging your core throughout the day, not limiting it just for exercise. This will help to strengthen those muscles and give you a great looking six-pack.
Be sure to add cardio to your workout to strengthen your heart and burn fat. I like to alternate days, concentrating on certain areas of my body for strength training and mixing up my activities on the days I dedicate to cardio. This gives me a balanced workout that never gets boring.