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Full Body Workouts?

Mr. Invisible

Mr. Invisible

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To everyone on here who works out, I am trying to do full body work outs three times a week and I don't have any equipment nor can I go to the gym. I found this Buzzfeed article (see below), which seems legit, but at the same time its Buzzfeed. Do any of you guys have advice? I'd really appreciate it.

9 Quick Total-Body Workouts, No Equipment Needed

The main reason I am doing this is to try to really condition myself for the Army. While I am in good shape, I want to make sure that I will do really good in the training.

Thanks. :)
 
Mr. Invisible said:
To everyone on here who works out, I am trying to do full body work outs three times a week and I don't have any equipment nor can I go to the gym. I found this Buzzfeed article (see below), which seems legit, but at the same time its Buzzfeed. Do any of you guys have advice? I'd really appreciate it.

9 Quick Total-Body Workouts, No Equipment Needed

The main reason I am doing this is to try to really condition myself for the Army. While I am in good shape, I want to make sure that I will do really good in the training.

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

Run, push ups, pull ups, run, sit ups, run, stand in one spot for 5 hours, run, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, run then run with 80 pound pack. Have fun!
 
With your goal of getting in shape to go into the Army, you should consider looking up the Army standards for PT, and mostly work on those things, although there is nothing wrong with the body weight system in your link.

It used to be just pushups and situps X number within two minutes, and a two mile run in under a certain amount of time. Three days a week is fine. Do several sets of two minutes worth of pushups, as many as you can do in two minutes, even if towards the end of the two minutes you just remain in the up position. Same with situps. And then do the two mile run, even if you can't initially run the entire two miles, still complete the two miles walking. On the run time yourself each time, and set a goal to cut a few seconds off each time.

The reason I am suggesting just concentrating on pushups, situps and running, is because that's all that is "graded". The other exercises in the link are great, and would certainly help you in overall fitness, but won't help you pass the required PT tests.

But if you are looking for more of an overall fitness and strength program, which will create the maximum amount of improvement in the least amount of time, then you are really going to need to do some progressive weight training with something more than bodyweight exercises. that bodyweight stuff is just kind of to stay in shape, but not to get into great shape with tons of strength.

Why is it that you can't go to a gym? Golds cost $10 a month. The reason I advocate for serious weight training is because I assume you have a limited time before you join the military, and a serious weight training workout will result in much faster progress than just bodyweight exercises.
 
imagep said:
With your goal of getting in shape to go into the Army, you should consider looking up the Army standards for PT, and mostly work on those things, although there is nothing wrong with the body weight system in your link.

It used to be just pushups and situps X number within two minutes, and a two mile run in under a certain amount of time. Three days a week is fine. Do several sets of two minutes worth of pushups, as many as you can do in two minutes, even if towards the end of the two minutes you just remain in the up position. Same with situps. And then do the two mile run, even if you can't initially run the entire two miles, still complete the two miles walking. On the run time yourself each time, and set a goal to cut a few seconds off each time.

The reason I am suggesting just concentrating on pushups, situps and running, is because that's all that is "graded". The other exercises in the link are great, and would certainly help you in overall fitness, but won't help you pass the required PT tests.

But if you are looking for more of an overall fitness and strength program, which will create the maximum amount of improvement in the least amount of time, then you are really going to need to do some progressive weight training with something more than bodyweight exercises. that bodyweight stuff is just kind of to stay in shape, but not to get into great shape with tons of strength.

Why is it that you can't go to a gym? Golds cost $10 a month. The reason I advocate for serious weight training is because I assume you have a limited time before you join the military, and a serious weight training workout will result in much faster progress than just bodyweight exercises.
Click to expand...

Well, I already passed my PT test. I just want to stay in shape for the Army.

I don't like gyms as I am not a huge fan of interacting with people nor a big fan of gym culture.
 
I'm a huge advocate of working the entire body as a system because that's how you use it.

If your goal is to increase your functional strength - that is become stronger in ways that you can use outside the gym - nothing beats doing squats, bench presses, deadlifts, overhead presses and some kind of snatch or clean.

You don't have to interact with people. Most days I go into the gym I put on music and don't say a word to anyone else. The exception is if I happen to be working out with my wife - in which case I'll take the headphones off if she happens to wander by - or if someone I know wants to chat for a couple of minutes. Otherwise it's my own little world.

You can also outfit a home gym fairly cheaply. I wound up paying about $300 for a power rack, flat bench, bar and 600 pounds in weights. I need to put rubber matting down in the garage - probably another $150 or so - and actually get all the storage relocate somewhere else before I can use it but you get the point that it doesn't have to be expensive.
 
Gaius46 said:
... Most days I go into the gym I put on music and don't say a word to anyone else. ....
Click to expand...

I don't use headphones, but since almost everyone else at my gym does, I get the same results - a conversation-less workout.

I'm pretty much what you might call "invisible" in the gym.

I go 4 days a week, at $10 a month that works-out to 62¢ per workout (excuse the pun).
 
Mr. Invisible said:
Well, I already passed my PT test. I just want to stay in shape for the Army.

I don't like gyms as I am not a huge fan of interacting with people nor a big fan of gym culture.
Click to expand...

Then your only real need is to develop more strength, you already have good endurance.

I'm wondering how you are going to cope in the army though. You do realize that your housing for basic training is going to be one big room with up to 60 people in it, and a group shower, don't you?
 
imagep said:
Then your only real need is to develop more strength, you already have good endurance.

I'm wondering how you are going to cope in the army though. You do realize that your housing for basic training is going to be one big room with up to 60 people in it, and a group shower, don't you?
Click to expand...

I'm fine with that.

When it comes to my PT test, I passed, but it was pretty good. I want to stay in shape and make sure that basic isn't too difficult for me.
 
imagep said:
I don't use headphones, but since almost everyone else at my gym does, I get the same results - a conversation-less workout.

I'm pretty much what you might call "invisible" in the gym.

I go 4 days a week, at $10 a month that works-out to 62¢ per workout (excuse the pun).
Click to expand...

Yeah me too. A couple of the kids - young powerlifters and the like - stop by to say hi or chat for a few minutes while I'm working out but that's about it. Don't mind - gives me a chance to play "sage" a little :).

My gym runs me about $25 a month. It's the cheapest around here. I'd love to get the garage done but we're concentrating on living spaces right now - all the rugs have to go.

I love working out to music - usually loud rock (what else). Did my last set of squats this evening to the Dropkick Murphy's live cut of "Baba O'Reilly." That's a kick ass song to squat to.
 
If you don't want to go to the gym, then get a pullup bar, a set of perfect pushups, and something you can do dips on. Get days in where you try to get a 100 or more pull-ups / chin-ups over the course of the day. Then do other days where you get 250 pushups in with different variations over the course of the day with at least a couple of sets of dips thrown in. Do core training between sets (crunches, situps, planks). Then get at least 20 miles of running in a week. If you throw in a day of running stairs that gives you a decent lower body workout combined with cardio. Also, mix your running routes up so you are not always running the same route, throw some trail running in, and stay off the treadmill whenever possible (run outside). You should get your average heart rate above 140 for all your runs, and you should have one run a week where you get your max heart rate above 180 at its peak.
 
Mr. Invisible said:
To everyone on here who works out, I am trying to do full body work outs three times a week and I don't have any equipment nor can I go to the gym. I found this Buzzfeed article (see below), which seems legit, but at the same time its Buzzfeed. Do any of you guys have advice? I'd really appreciate it.

9 Quick Total-Body Workouts, No Equipment Needed

The main reason I am doing this is to try to really condition myself for the Army. While I am in good shape, I want to make sure that I will do really good in the training.

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

Kettlebells.

They sell them everywhere, now (when I first started they were hard to find). It's a single unit which can store in any closet or under the bed. How-to and other info is free online. Just be careful when going it alone.

The simplicity of it is deceptive - it can be brutal.

And yoga. I kid you not, yoga can become incredibly intense so much so that I really quite hate it.
 
SouthernDemocrat said:
If you don't want to go to the gym, then get a pullup bar, a set of perfect pushups, and something you can do dips on. Get days in where you try to get a 100 or more pull-ups / chin-ups over the course of the day. Then do other days where you get 250 pushups in with different variations over the course of the day with at least a couple of sets of dips thrown in. Do core training between sets (crunches, situps, planks). Then get at least 20 miles of running in a week. If you throw in a day of running stairs that gives you a decent lower body workout combined with cardio. Also, mix your running routes up so you are not always running the same route, throw some trail running in, and stay off the treadmill whenever possible (run outside). You should get your average heart rate above 140 for all your runs, and you should have one run a week where you get your max heart rate above 180 at its peak.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. An online friend of mine linked me to this full body work out which I am going to do. It should definitely keep my heart rate up. :) (Ask The Ripped Dude: What's An Effective Bodyweight Workout? - Bodybuilding.com)
 
If you are prepping for the Army then full body workouts are definitely the way to go. Yes, the APFT will consist of pushups, situps, and the run so you want to work on those but the Drill Sergeants will put you through all sorts exercises throughout the day and the vast majority of them will be using your own body weight. If I remember correctly I never touched a piece of gym equipment in Basic Training but I still got in the best shape of my life.

Good luck!
 
Basic training isnt a physical training camp. It is where they first teach you about combat and how to be a soldier. Then after that they teach you the basics of your MOS. Basic Combat Training then Advanced Individual Training. The physical part is to be expected, but is really a minor part of your basic training. No matter how many times you climb that hill, you will spend more time learning than doing physical exercise. Of course that depends on your MOS. Some MOS's require over a year of Basic Training. BCT is just 10 weeks of that.
 
BrewerBob said:
If you are prepping for the Army then full body workouts are definitely the way to go. Yes, the APFT will consist of pushups, situps, and the run so you want to work on those but the Drill Sergeants will put you through all sorts exercises throughout the day and the vast majority of them will be using your own body weight. If I remember correctly I never touched a piece of gym equipment in Basic Training but I still got in the best shape of my life.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


Has nothing to do with Basic but the Marines are big into powerlifting. When I was younger I competed with a couple of former Marines who had competed for the Corps and were complete animals about their training. Pound for pound two of the strongest guys I ever met.
 
FreedomFromAll said:
Basic training isnt a physical training camp. ...
Click to expand...

Part of it is, and certainly being in great shape makes it easier to concentrate on the other stuff.

It may be different now, but back in my day some people had the hardest times with the mental and emotional stress though. Like when the drill sergeant tells you that your momma came to visit you and he screwed her and sent her on her way. Didn't bother me a bit, I thought it was funny, but some people take that stuff way to seriously... "don't you talk about my mama".
 
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Aunt Spiker said:
Kettlebells.

They sell them everywhere, now (when I first started they were hard to find). It's a single unit which can store in any closet or under the bed. How-to and other info is free online. Just be careful when going it alone.

The simplicity of it is deceptive - it can be brutal.

And yoga. I kid you not, yoga can become incredibly intense so much so that I really quite hate it.
Click to expand...

Is yoga going to make it easier when the drill sergeant tells him to "drop and give me twenty", then tells him to make a right face and do it again, and again?
 
imagep said:
Part of it is, and certainly being in great shape makes it easier to concentrate on the other stuff.
Click to expand...

Yes, but if one is going to prepare for basic they should do more than just get fit. Things will be a lot easier if one has a clue. You know so that you wont take it personal when you are singled out of formation to go do some seemingly pointless task. The ones that dont get it find themselves out on the streets all pissed off at the Army and what happened to them. Its always the Armies fault, the individual doesnt even know that they failed simplistic tests. IMO they should have pre-basic to weed out the idiots that will never understand how it all works.
 
imagep said:
Is yoga going to make it easier when the drill sergeant tells him to "drop and give me twenty", then tells him to make a right face and do it again, and again?
Click to expand...

Yes - it would.

When someone told me to do Yoga I balked and rolled my eyes - until I DID Yoga and discovered that it's deceptively intense. I did 3 30-minute sessions a week for about a month before going back to my easier Kettlebell hour-long daily workout. It's endurance training. But instead of controlling the body while going fast you control the body while going slow/

Kettlebells employs moves and concepts that are similar (fostering greater muscle resistance and kinesthetic balance through weighted posture moves) but the longevity of each Yoga move gives it an extra bit of misery, using body weight and gravity as torture tactics.

The reputation it has, though, made me think it should have been easy. You know - why else would women do it? I figured it was akin to some stupid 80's thing like the Stair Stepper or some girly thing like that. :lamo

A 'guy' version of it would be Convict Conditioning [A method devised by Paul Wade] - It's not 'yoga' but it uses the same concept of "man without a machine" in which bodyweight and posture - alone - is the means of building endurance and strength. The idea is that any man (or woman) can accomplish a defined and toned body with no equipment [a la a prison cell]. I actually liked Convict Conditioning when I tried it years back . . . but it's intensive meditation that seems to go against modern logic. You work your way up through separate stages of fitness by adopting the strength to maintain minute changes in posture for an extended period of time.

Convict Conditioning
 
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FreedomFromAll said:
Yes, but if one is going to prepare for basic they should do more than just get fit. Things will be a lot easier if one has a clue. You know so that you wont take it personal when you are singled out of formation to go do some seemingly pointless task. The ones that dont get it find themselves out on the streets all pissed off at the Army and what happened to them. Its always the Armies fault, the individual doesnt even know that they failed simplistic tests. IMO they should have pre-basic to weed out the idiots that will never understand how it all works.
Click to expand...

I agree, but specifically what would you suggest?

Things like memorizing the rank and ran insignia?

Anyhow, in basic training, almost everyone get's singled out, often for no reason at all. The day we got off the bus from the reception center, I remember a drill sergeant speaking to the group, saying "there is a **** up in every group", and then randomly selecting this kid and pointing at him saying "AND YOUR HIM".
 
imagep said:
Part of it is, and certainly being in great shape makes it easier to concentrate on the other stuff.

It may be different now, but back in my day some people had the hardest times with the mental and emotional stress though. Like when the drill sergeant tells you that your momma came to visit you and he screwed her and sent her on her way. Didn't bother me a bit, I thought it was funny, but some people take that stuff way to seriously... "don't you talk about my mama".
Click to expand...

I got into a fight with a kid in 7th grade cause he said "Your mama wears army boots." :)
 
imagep said:
I agree, but specifically what would you suggest?

Things like memorizing the rank and ran insignia?

Anyhow, in basic training, almost everyone get's singled out, often for no reason at all. The day we got off the bus from the reception center, I remember a drill sergeant speaking to the group, saying "there is a **** up in every group", and then randomly selecting this kid and pointing at him saying "AND YOUR HIM".
Click to expand...

Some recruits have a clue about what to actually expect from basic. Some are completely clueless. It would be good for everyone if every recruit knew the different ranks and knew what they meant to the recruit. The basics of how to march, how to salute (watching movies drives me nuts) when to talk wen not to talk would save the new recruit a lot of grief. But they are still going to be hassled since that is part of their training. Beyond that one should talk to someone on active duty (that isnt a ass) and have them tell them what they need to know. Some recruiters fill the void but not all of them do.
 
Mr. Invisible said:
To everyone on here who works out, I am trying to do full body work outs three times a week and I don't have any equipment nor can I go to the gym. I found this Buzzfeed article (see below), which seems legit, but at the same time its Buzzfeed. Do any of you guys have advice? I'd really appreciate it.

9 Quick Total-Body Workouts, No Equipment Needed

The main reason I am doing this is to try to really condition myself for the Army. While I am in good shape, I want to make sure that I will do really good in the training.

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

One thing I remember my ex going on *a lot* about was his lack of access to caffeine (soda / coffee) and sugar (candy and the like) as well as liquor and tobacco. Things might have changed but that was just 16 years ago. Not sure about your lifestyle - but if you start to cut back or let go of some things early it won't be so difficult. I wouldn't want you hoarding packets of coffee grounds and eating them raw to get a caffeine fix.
 
Aunt Spiker said:
One thing I remember my ex going on *a lot* about was his lack of access to caffeine (soda / coffee) and sugar (candy and the like) as well as liquor and tobacco. Things might have changed but that was just 16 years ago. Not sure about your lifestyle - but if you start to cut back or let go of some things early it won't be so difficult. I wouldn't want you hoarding packets of coffee grounds and eating them raw to get a caffeine fix.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your concern :)

I don't drink coffee and I can easily cut back on my sugar intake. Any soda I have is consistently caffeine free.
 
I agree with your statement to work out the entire body. Because when I do different exercises that I have not done before I can tell the difference, meaning I can tell that those parts had not been worked out. I do like routines too though, but when it comes to aerobics I can tell that the muscles and ligaments, even though they hurt first, will respond positively if a variety of exercises are performed. It is an interesting subject.
 
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