“No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training…what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
-Socrates
The following links are here to help you fall in love with your physique.
Eventually, I want to extend this list to around 25 links, but for now, I’ll keep it at 10 and see how people respond.
If you enjoy any of these links, let me know and I might be able to recommend more information that you might find interesting or educating. The point here is to get pumped up about exercising, start getting fit, and begin eating consciously.
In this first series of BODY: The Physical Potential, I’ve tried to include enough materials for men and women by including a diversity of learning materials for bodybuilders, various books on bodyweight workouts that you can carry with you while you travel around the world, and I’ve also discovered the most difficult Pilates instructor you’ll ever meet online.
The best part? More than half of these links lead to free materials, free workouts, and free nutrition advice helping you improve your physique and make more informed decisions. Remember: this is only Part 1 of The Physical Potential. If you like enjoy this outline at all, please let me know, and I’ll include more sites that I love, recommend, and use.
The goal here is to expand the mind a little bit and try something new (thanks Tony!). Be on the lookout for MIND: The Mental Potential coming in the second half of 2014!!!
I’m hoping that collectively we can begin thinking about training the body in different ways or fashions than by simply going to the gym everyday, following some boring routine, or just settling to run on the treadmill for twenty minutes a day. Most importantly, let’s remember, any exercise is about seeing one picture: getting off the couch, having fun, and creating a body you love and empowers you to do what you want to do.
(Note: I am not an affiliate for any of the following links. I haven’t received a single cent or reward from any of the following companies nor have they given me any incentives to be mentioned below. Each link comes as my own opinion, from my own enjoyment, or positive experience. Again, all of the following links are for educational means only. Consult a doctor before jumping head first into any of the following programs. Or, just do it! but promise me you’ll be careful:)
Section One: Strength & Conditioning
1. Starting Strength by Mark Rippletoe: This book packs a serious punch for the up and coming bodybuilder or anyone interested in getting big gains while focusing on proper form. Referred to as the Barbell Bible, Rippletoe’s book focuses on bringing five lifts to complete mastery.
Anyone interested in building strength, focusing on form, and conditioning needs to start by reading this book and considering Mark’s program. You don’t necessarily have to follow his program, but I definitely recommend committing yourself to read this book and learning how to do a proper squat, dead lift, and chest press without giving yourself a hernia.
Also, check out Mark’s website, Starting Strength.com, for additional resources, forum, and events calendar.
If you fall in love with his program, there is the Starting Strength Wiki where you can contribute to the already popular community of Rippletoe’s followers. And if you have anymore questions before buying his book, Bodybuilding.com’s forum posted an easy to read FAQ on Starting Strength.
Section Two: Bodyweight Workouts (or Why You Don’t Need a Gym Membership To Travel The World)
2. You Are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren: Hailed as The Bible of Bodyweight exercises by its writer: former Special Ops physical trainer Mark Lauren. I bought this book a while back for just under $10. Of course, at $12 this e-book is still a complete steal. I bought this book when I was living in a rural town in southern Thailand. I worked out five days a week in a space about the size of a prison cell using the exercises in this book. For all the peregrines out there traveling in different parts of the world where gyms don’t actually exist, check this book out!
If you enjoy the book, or if you can’t afford buying the book, and still want something affordable with mobility, there is also an app (iTunes version/ Android version) to accompany and aid all the bodyweight pushing and pressing you’ll be doing from the book. I haven’t actually bought the app yet, but…. I’m about to.
Mark Lauren offers it all: book, app, & DVD for those looking for an all-around bodyweight workout. Here is an awesome 13 min. clip of what you can expect from Mark’s videos.
3. Freeletics: Imagine if Crossfit didn’t use weights, ropes, or rowing machines, and it was free!
Freeletics is a grassroots Munich startup that focuses on free, high intensity bodyweight workouts that you can do at the park with friends or in the comfort of your home.
Think lots of repetitions, plenty of back sweat, and a bustling heart. If you’re not comfortable signing up for their newsletter, follow them on Twitter or Facebook for a safer first date.
Be on the look out for their mobile app, so you can take your workouts with you wherever you go. Basic is free and Pro is well, pro.
4. Greatist.com: This website is perfect for those who want to give bodyweight exercises a try without breaking the wallet or spending too much time reading a book or waiting on delivery.
Design your own program right now using Greatist’s collection of bodyweight exercises. Start with 50 Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do Anywhere and design a routine you can take anywhere in the world.
After checking out some basic moves, move on to their more advanced compilation and increase the difficulty of your workout with 17 Powerful Bodyweight Exercises For Strength and Speed.
And if you are feeling lazy, but motivated enough to get your sweat on, Greatist was kind enough to save you time, money, and energy by designing a 30-minute, no-gym workout for you that you can start immediately. Here ya go, thanks Greatist!
5. Strength Stack 52 and The Periodic Table of BodyWeight Exercises: Strength Stack 52 is a unique card game that incorporates competitive fun, mobility, and exercise into a regular stack of cards that you can take anywhere with you.
Each card in the deck contains a bodyweight exercise, description, and bar code that can be scanned using your mobile device to bring up a video showing you how to perform the exercise properly.
Check out an example of what the cards will look like here.
The story behind Strength Stack 52’s creation is inspiring and whether you buy a deck for yourself or give the gift of Strength Stack 52 to a friend, you have to admit this idea is quite clever.
And if you are not interested in purchasing any cards today, Strength Stack 52 was awesome enough to create this free Periodic Table of BodyWeight Exercises below.
For those interested in ordering, check out USA and International pricing and delivery. Both are available.
