Major Fitness Lies That Need To Stop!

Today, I want to address some major lies that are circulating the internet when it comes to fitness. It's crucial not to fall for the hype and instead, make informed decisions based on accurate information. Let's dive into it.

Firstly, let's talk about the 22-day abs challenge. Or whatever "4 week abs program" you saw on Instagram. If you believe that you can achieve a shredded six-pack in just 22 days, or 4 weeks, it's important to understand that it's simply impossible. While the person promoting it may be knowledgeable and experienced, claiming such results in a short timeframe is misleading. Achieving visible abs depends more on reducing body fat than doing specific core exercises. Building a fast metabolism, eating right, and consistently working out are key. Remember, those impressive results took years of dedicated effort, so be realistic and avoid falling for unrealistic time frames.

The second issue I want to address is the unattainable...

My Full Day Of Healthy Eating!

Today, we're going to delve into an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle: nutrition.

I'll show you what a typical day of eating can look like to support your health and well-being.

We'll focus on natural, accessible foods, without relying on supplements. By incorporating these recipes into your regular diet, you'll see significant improvements.

Now, let's dive into what a day of eating could look like.

Breakfast

Breakfast is a crucial part of the day, as it fuels your workouts and sets the tone for the day ahead. Depending on your workout schedule, there are different options to consider. If you exercise early in the morning, it's important not to consume too much before the workout. Start with a glass of water to kickstart digestion, wait for about five minutes, and then choose one of the following options:

•  Oatmeal: Cook half a cup of oatmeal and add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup, as well as a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter. Th
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2 Move Variations for Strong Shoulders!

You probably heard me say that strong shoulders are important.

Because they are essential! So today we are diving in 2 movement variations to get your shoulders very strong and stable.

Make sure to warm up efficiently before you start!

1. The Pike Push Up

You may know and or use this movement, but here is a particular adjustment you have to make if needed: lean forward before you start bending your elbows. This will allow you to recruit your pec-minor and the upper part of the pec major muscle group to support your shoulders, specially at the bottom of the push up.

Push back up straight!

Watch the video here.

2. The Elevated Pike Push up

Once you are comfortable with pike push ups, use anything to elevate your feet (chair, bench, yoga blocks....) and perform the pike push up from there.

Elevating your feet helps put more relative weight on your upper chest and shoulder area.

The higher your feet are, the harder the pike push will be.

3 Calisthenics Exercises To Get Strong and Healthy Shoulders!

Today, we're going to dive into an essential topic: building strong shoulders.

Strong shoulders are crucial for overall upper body strength and contribute significantly to your overall body strength. So, let's take some time to discuss the key factors that will help you develop robust and powerful shoulders.

To kick things off, we'll start with a mobility drill called the Shoulder Dislocates with a stick. This drill is designed to improve shoulder mobility and ensure that you can achieve full range of motion. Lack of mobility often restricts people's ability to fully express their shoulder strength, leading to less than satisfactory results. 

For this exercise, all you need is a stick or a broom. Stand straight and hold the stick it front of you with a grip wider than shoulder-width. The goal is to move the stick behind you and as low as possible, while rolling your shoulder blades and engaging your shoulder muscles. Squ...

3 Movements For a Full Body Calisthenics Workout. No Equipment.

Today, I want to discuss three great movements that provide simultaneous upper body and lower body action.

These exercises are not only good for cardio, mobility, coordination, and strength, but they also deliver a well-rounded workout when incorporated into your fitness routine.

Let's start with the spider push-up. It's a classic variation where you bring your knee to your elbow with each repetition, alternating legs each time. Here's how it's done: as you lower yourself down, bring your knee to your elbow, ensuring a strong connection. This engagement is crucial for maximum core activation. Keep your core tucked in and your shoulders protracted while performing the movement. Avoid arching your back or letting it sag. Keep your foot grounded firmly to maintain balance when lifting one leg. Remember to switch legs for every repetition. When viewed from the front, you should notice that your elbows remain close to your b...

The Hardest Calisthenics Workout I've Ever Done!

I am part of UNOG, the United Nations Of Gains.

This is a group of friends that stems from Venice Beach. 

It’s composed of many different people, from all origins, age and genders, all working towards the betterment of oneself through calisthenics.

Joining Unog comes with a hard task - completing the introductory challenge that demands pushing your physical and mental limits.

The challenge consists of a 6.5-mile sand run followed by 1220 repetitions of calisthenics exercises. 

I finally had a chance to do it on June 27. I finished the 6.5 miles sand run in 65 minutes and completed the full challenge (run + reps) in 4 hours.

To break it down, I had to complete the following exercises:

•  20 muscle ups
•  200 pull ups
•  200 squats
•  200 push ups
•  200 dips
•  200 medium band triceps extensions
•  200 leg flutters

Facing this mountain of repetitions, I approached it just like any another workout and devised a strategy to tackle each...

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone. Here is How!

Today, we're going to dive into the topic of stepping out of our comfort zones and how it can lead to significant progress. 

Getting out of our comfort zones is a guaranteed way to improve throughout the year. 

For beginners who have been inactive for a while, getting out of the comfort zone means taking the first step and starting now. Learning the fundamental exercises of calisthenics, such as push-ups, squats, and core work, is a great way to begin. Implementing these exercises regularly throughout the week, whether through a push-up challenge or incorporating different sets and variations, will get you off the couch and into an active routine. Consistency and forming habits from this starting point are key.

If you've already started your calisthenics journey but find yourself stuck in a plateau, breaking your routine is the way to go. Reset and rewrite your workouts, adding more repetitions, reducing rest time, incorporating harder va...

4 Things That Are Killing Your Calisthenics Fitness Gains!

Today, we're going to discuss the 4 things that are killing your gains.

The first reason why most people fail to see results is simply that they don't train enough. Many of us start our training journey in one way or another, and it's often recommended to begin slowly, gradually increasing the intensity. Starting at a manageable pace is not a bad idea, but once you've familiarized yourself with the movements and techniques, it's crucial to push yourself further. You don't have to train for years to witness progress; instead, aim to increase your training volume and speed as soon as possible. Both factors play a significant role in achieving results. Allow me to provide an example of a recommended workout, specifically designed for beginners and intermediates, known as the Level 1 Workout in our program.

The Level 1 Workout consists of six training sessions per week, which is a reasonable frequency for those who are genuinely...

Essential Lower Body Calisthenics Workout Tips!

A few weeks ago, I posted an article about 2 essential things you can do to get a stronger body: warm up your wrists extensively, every day and constantly aim to get a strong false grip when working out.

Today we continue with a focus on 4 lower body adjustments you should make to get a stronger lower and overall body.

Let’s start with the pelvis.

The posterior pelvis tilt is of paramount importance. Let’s delve into the significance of the pelvis tilt in calisthenics training a majority of us suffer from an anterior pelvis tilt caused by excessive sitting. This tilt is often accompanied by a weak lower back, particularly the lumbar area. Prolonged periods of sitting and driving exacerbate this issue. Consequently, we must prioritize the practice of posterior pelvis tilt.

Whether you are performing pull-ups, push-ups a squat, or static holds, mastering the pelvis tilt is crucial. The objective is to learn how to control your pelvis a...

How To Unlock Your First Pull Ups with Calisthenics!

When it comes to getting started with pull-ups, it's important to follow a progressive approach.

Many feel intimidated by pull-ups and may prefer alternative exercises to build strength and confidence.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you develop the necessary strength and technique for pull-ups.

•  Warm-up: Begin with a warm-up exercise called the "pull apart" using a light resistance band. Perform 10+ reps from different angles to engage your scapula and shoulder blades.
•  Front Row/Bent Row: Use a resistance band to perform the front row exercise, focusing on good lat activation and proper form. Gradually increase the resistance as you progress.
•  Doorway Pull-up: Use a lower bar or rail in a park setting as an alternative to a pull-up bar. Perform Australian pull-ups or inverted rows, alternating grips to balance the workload.
•  Scapula Retraction: Lay on the floor, face down, and perform scapula retractions (mimicking a p
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