No weights? No problem

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No weights? No problem.

Pull-ups on the swing-set get the job done just fine.

When you are away from the gym for a few days, how do you approach your training?

For me, I need daily physical exercise.

That can be many things, of course.

This weekend camping, my physical training consisted of long hikes first-thing in the morning.

Pull-ups on the swing-set, along with burpees, pushups, squats and other calisthenics.

As I've said many times before, free weights should be an essential component of everyone's training program, but that doesn't mean all you need to do is lift weights.

Strength training can have the most impact on your body, especially if you are a beginner or just dip your toes into weight training.

Still, there's a time and a place for other forms of exercise. Cardio is also important, and being able to move your body in space is always beneficial. (bodyweight exercises)

If I was forced to train with ONLY bodyweight, I imagine I'd get bored even though I know a bunch of variations. I just prefer using weights.

On the other hand, I like being able to bust out fifty pushups and twenty pull-ups without breaking a sweat.

I'm not there yet, but I have some goals to shoot for.

We need to have new goals.

They can, and do, change over time.

Always be ready to re-assess your goals and change them up when necessary.

With training, the numbers can become all-important but they don't have to be.

What's more important than reaching specific numbers is to improve.

The process of getting better, however you define "better" is what makes you grow, adapt and evolve.

Not the attainment of the number.

Sure, it's nice to hit some milestones, whether it's twenty pull-ups or running ten miles or deadlifting 400 pounds.

But those numbers aren't the reason you push yourself each day to get outside your comfort zone and train your ass off.

Remember to go back to your goals and see where you stand.

Do you still feel strongly about that goal? Maybe you need to shift your focus?

Or maybe you need to go HARDER towards the goal...

It's up to you, just keep an eye on where you are and where you want to go.

That's why I'm a big proponent of training logs.

Keeping a training journal can go a long way to guiding your training.

Stay on track and keep getting better, no matter what life throws at you.