The Ultimate Exercise/Workout Machine: The Human Body

Many people are under the impression that the only way to get fit is to join a gym and to use all of the fancy equipment and workout gear at our disposal in today's society. I can understand that mentality because all around us, people have embraced the idea of going to the gym and paying for a gym membership every month to the point where it seems natural. In reality, however, people were getting fit and training for battle long before modern exercise equipment was developed. Take ancient Sparta for example; they had what was considered to be the most fierce army in the world at the time. They didn't have workout equipment or anything, they just pushed the limits of their own human body to the extreme and became faster, stronger, and more fit than any other soldiers at the time. Now I am not discrediting modern workout equipment in any way, shape, or form, as I believe it is a great way to get fit and if you can afford a gym membership or workout equipment, more power to you. I am only trying to make people aware than you can get similar results without purchasing a gym membership or expensive equipment.

The human body is the most incredible "machine" on the face of the planet. It is capable of lifting things weighing over 6000 pounds, climbing up giant mountains, and swimming across vast stretches of sea. Part of what makes it so incredible is its ability to build strength and endurance when pushed harder than normal. The most natural way you can lose fat and build muscle is by harnessing the power of your own body and running, climbing, jumping, crawling, punching, etc. Sculpt your workout routine around your own body and around becoming your own personal gym. Instead of doing bench press on a piece of equipment, do push-ups! They involve more muscle groups, which in turn burns more fat and gets your heart working harder to provide oxygen to those muscles. Instead of doing barbell squats, do jump squats! Sure, they are a little bit higher impact, but once again they use your own body weight and involve more muscle groups to burn more fat. Using your own body weight to perform exercises is just a more natural way to get fit, and with so many different ways to leverage your body weight to help you gain muscle and lose fat fast, it is a great way for people to get out of the gym environment and enjoy the beauty of what our great planet has to offer! To harness the true potential of the human body, first we must learn some moves that will allow us to build muscle and burn fat without any equipment to aid us.

Here are some key exercises that should be a part of every upper body workout (If they aren't in yours, you are missing out big time):

The Push-up

This move is the staple of all upper body exercises and is the most effective exercise for working out your chest and triceps. Along with your chest and triceps, it also works the stabilizing muscles in your core and strengthens your wrist. There are many different variations of the push-up that focus on different muscle groups, or different parts of your muscle groups. For example, if you do push-ups with your hands close together underneath your chest and try to keep your elbows close to your sides as you go up and down, it will put most of the stress on your triceps. Learn the different variations of the push-up and use them in your workout for maximum effectiveness.

The Dip

Dips are the best exercise you can do for your triceps. If you can find two parallel bars to use, or put two stools or chairs next to each other, this is the best way to get sleeve-busting arms without breaking the bank.

The Pull-up

If you live near a park or somewhere where you can find a bar to use, pull-ups are the best way to sculpt a nice v-shaped upper body. The key here is the wider your hands are spread, the wider your v-shape will be; so if you are looking to build a nice wide v-shape, do lots of pull-ups with a wide grip. There are many variations of this workout as well, learn them, and use them in your routine.

The Crunch

And last but not least, the most iconic abs exercise of them all, and there is a reason for that, because there is no better way to get a nice set of abs. The crunch, and all of its different variations, has become the most popular abs exercise in the world because of its unique ability to work almost every part of your abs. If you are looking to build washboard abs or a tight tummy, this is the only way to go.

There are so many exercises you can do without weights that it will be hard to pick only a few, but here are the most important moves you should always fit into your legs workout:

The Squat

One of the most effective leg exercises out there, the squat, and its many variations, works almost every muscle in your legs with a focus on your quads and stabilizing muscles. If done properly, by driving your legs into the ground and driving your hips forward, it also puts a good amount of stress on your glutes. This move is fantastic because it can be done anywhere and it will increase your balance and focus. Learn the different variations and use them in your workouts or you will miss out.

The Lunge

Lunges are another leg exercise that you cannot miss out on. Lunges are perhaps the most versatile move, working all your major muscle groups such as your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. The can also be done anywhere, and while there aren't many variations of the move, it is effective enough as-is. Definitely one to remember when it comes to your legs workout.

Vertical Leaps

The best way to get your heart pumping and your body burning fat is to do plyometric exercises that involve jumping around and getting mobile. Vertical Leaps, while they may be a little bit higher impact, are a fantastic way to get stronger calves and legs. In addition to strengthening your leg muscles, your joints will also thank you as they will get stronger over time if you continue to do this kind of training.

In addition to the exercises I mentioned above, there are many ways to get fit and have fun while doing so. Instead of being stuck in a stuffy gym, you can go outside and take a long jog, or go mountain-climbing, or do some shadow-boxing. There are so many ways to get active and get fit without lifting a single weight. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Walking or Jogging
• Running Short Sprints
• Crab Walking
• Yoga
• Snowboarding/Skiing

I know there is a lot of hype in today's society over paying for a gym membership every month and paying for personal trainers, people will try to take your money for whatever you are willing to pay for. I am seeing this happen way too often as of late, and it doesn't have to. We just need to get back to our roots, back to the natural way of getting fit and exercising. Sure, you are busy and a gym is convenient, but wouldn't it be even more convenient to be able to exercise anywhere? We sometimes need to take a break from our busy lives and just go take a nice hike, or a bike ride. We need to get away from the hustle and bustle! Your body will thank you, but more importantly, so will your mind. Go out there and get fit!