The Best Bodyweight Training Tools & Resources…
To Get Rid Of Frustration & Achieve Your Goals Faster
It was early June in 2010 – almost a year after my last surgery – when the doctor told me that I could (finally!) start training.
(I had done 5 bone-cleansing surgeries in my left am during the last 7 years… and I wasn’t “allowed” to train until my arm was “fixed”).
Anyway.
During that time, I knew next to nothing about training. So, I started doing what I knew.
Meanwhile, I was reading anything I could find on bodyweight training…
And boy… some of the advice was really bad! (I easily wasted 6 months following idiotic advice.)
Fortunately, not everything I read was bad.
In fact, some of the books were top notch… and you’ll find these books (along with other great resources) right here, in this page.
Enjoy!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Some of the links below are affiliate links – i.e. I make a buck, if you decide to buy. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Most Recommended Resource
“Never Gymless” By Ross Enamait
Never Gymless is the book that helped me the most in my training.
(I’ve read it more than 5 times so far.)
And I believe it will be at least as helpful for you.
There are many great calisthenics books. But what makes Never Gymless be in the top of the list is its chapter on program design.
Just in this chapter, you’ll find:
- A sample 50-day training plan that you can follow right away.
- Simple and detailed programming principles that will help you create your own program and target YOUR goals effectively.
- Clear explanation and examples that will help you avoid unnecessary confusion and mistakes.
- 23 workout samples to choose from – to become stronger, more explosive and better conditioned.
No other calisthenics book (from the ones I’ve read) has such a comprehensive chapter on program creation. Everything is included – strength, explosiveness, core training, speed, conditioning, and isometrics – the only thing not covered is gymnastics skills (eg. front lever).
Never Gymless is great for beginners and intermediate trainees.
To learn more about Never Gymless, check out Never Gymless’ page: Never Gymless’ Page
or read my full review here: Never Gymless – Review
Recommended Books For
-Beginners-
The following books are great for beginners but they can be valuable to more advanced trainees as well.
“The Naked Warrior” By Pavel Tsatsuline
The Naked Warrior helped me achieve the one arm push up and the pistol squat.
Here are some things you’ll learn inside The Naked Warrior:
- How to approach strength as a skill and why it’s important – this will help you achieve advanced moves and grow stronger, faster.
- How to use the GTG method for strength and endurance – this is one of the best ways to build maximum strength in minimum time.
- The Power Breathing technique – This simple technique will allow you to exert more strength instantly.
- and much… much more
This book is NOT for complete beginners.
Recommended Books For
-Intermediates-
“Untapped Strength” By Ross Enamait
Untapped Strength is a great resource for lower arm strength training.
Specifically, if you’re looking for:
- A stronger grip
- Stronger and more resilient wrists
- Better-conditioned hands
Then Untapped Strength is the book you’ve been looking for.
For intermediate and advanced athletes.
Equipment
Pull Up Bar
If you want to get stronger without weights, a pull up bar is a MUST!
If you don’t have access to a pull up bar, then the Door Pull Up Bar can be one of the best investments you will ever make.
There are only 3 downsides about this product:
- Your legs will probably touch the floor in the dead hang position. So, you’ll have to train with bent legs. – Not that big of a drawback, but still.
- It is going to damage the door frame over time. However, you can fix this by adding something soft at the sides of the pull up bar.
- You can’t perform certain exercises – like muscle ups.
For more info, check out the “Doorway Pull Up Bar – Review“
Other pull up options are:
I personally use a Door Pull Up Bar with no problems other than the 3 downsides described above.
No matter which tool you choose, you have to do your pull ups!
Lastly, before buying any of the above options, make sure that your wall/door/ceiling is suitable for the installation of such a tool.
AB Wheel
The AB Wheel is one of the best gadgets for core training.
Some of the benefits of this product are:
- It’s cheap
- It doesn’t take up too much space
- You can easily take it with you
- And most importantly… You can train with one of the best core exercises: The standing wheel roll out!
There multiple variations of the AB Wheel.
I’ve personally been using the simple one (with 2 wheels) without any problems.
Jump Rope
The Jump Rope is a great tool for building endurance and coordination.
You can easily include jump rope exercises in conditioning circuits or at your warm ups.
Gymnastics Rings
Every exercise you perform in the Gymnastics Rings is going to be harder than regular.
Be it push ups, pull ups, dips or handstands.
In addition, the rings can help you progress towards advanced calisthenics movements like the one arm chin up by training with archer pull ups.
Last but not least, the Gymnastics Rings can allow you to train with advanced gymnastics maneuvers – like:
- The iron cross
- The inverted muscle up
- Pelican push ups
- and much… much more
The only “drawback” of the Gymnastics Rings is that it can be hard to install inside your home.
Usually, I hang them in my pull up bar when I train indoors or some tree when I train outdoors.
If you’re still a total beginner, you don’t need rings just yet.
Timer
A timer may be the most important training equipment there is!
Having a timer will allow you to measure your rest between sets accurately.
This is really crucial because based on your goals you will need different rest intervals.
Training for maximal strength, for example, requires different rest intervals from endurance training.
Fortunately, you can install a timer for free on your smartphone or computer.
If you are interested in creating your own equipment, then make sure to check this list created by Ross Enamait. ==> [Homemade Equipment Links]
Websites
Ross Training – Great resource, mostly focused on simplicity of training and motivational posts.
Mark’s Daily Apple – My go-to resource for lifestyle ideas.
Ido Portal – Great insights on movement and training.
A Shot Of Adrenaline – Lots of information on bodyweight training.
Progressive Calisthenics Blog – Great articles on bodyweight training.
Charles Poliquin – Excellent tips and advice for strength training.
Arthlete – Very good tutorials for bodyweight exercises.
Antranik – Some of the best calisthenics training guides.
Red Delta Project – Great training advice in general!