can hypertrophy be achieved with bodyweigth exercises?

[the_leprechaun]

as in could you do a bulk with bodyweight exercises? obviously while having a calorie surplus. i wont have access to a gym for the next few months but would like to add some size over the next few months having stripped down the bodyfat using UD 2.0 over the last while. anyone have any experience doing this?

 

[Gazhole]

Only to a certain extent. Your body will get used to that level of resistance fairly quickly. Consistent results require progressive overload so your body has reason to adapt, if you're just using your bodyweight you can't really achieve that.

 

[the_leprechaun]

thanks for the responce. its just that im going travelling for the next year, the UD 2.0 has really leaned me out but im verging on skinny now, so id love to gain some size(for the first time ever).... however all ill be able to do is bodyweight exercises and use my trx, the best i can hope for is to maintain my muscle mass or will i even to be able to do this without heavy training?

 

[Gazhole]

Buy a resistance band from somewhere. The big ones that are rated to 100lbs or so can be used on a variety of exercises with some ingenuity, and can easily be stored in a backpack, or suitcase.

They take up next to no space at all, are light, arent drastically expensive, and will provide at least nominal resistance. Plus you can do deadlifts and things which you otherwise wouldnt be able to do.

 

[TrojanMan60563]

depends on your weight etc.. I know for me I can do pull ups and dips and see results. I also weigh more then most pull down machines. I am sure if you are creative you can find ways to shock your muscle to get some results, but I have to agree without a gym you will probably limit the size gains possible.

 

[the_leprechaun]

well i got a TRX on p-funk`s recommendation, i also have a gymboss timer, so ill be able to get a pretty intense full body workout going while im away. i havent used it much yet, so cant guage my results yet, as im trying to take advantage of the gym while i still have it! if anyone has any experience using a trx please chime in!

 

[yellowmoomba]

well i got a TRX on p-funk`s recommendation, i also have a gymboss timer, so ill be able to get a pretty intense full body workout going while im away. i havent used it much yet, so cant guage my results yet, as im trying to take advantage of the gym while i still have it! if anyone has any experience using a trx please chime in!

I started doing TRX style training this summer. I built my own version using tie downs, carabeaner clips and some handles (total cost $42 ). I really like the suspension chest press. Right now I'm setting about 12" inches from the ground and getting about 25 reps. I feel a great stretch and DOMS the next day.

Also - one legged BW squats are a b*tch (in a good way). The ab exercises are pretty brutal too. I'll look for your journal in here if you have one....We can swap experiences.

Good luck.

If you are looking for some other BW style training. Look at this site:

RossTraining - Bridging The Gap Between Ordinary and Extraordinary

I bought Infinite Instesity back in 2006. Ross has some good programs and articles online for free.

 

[the_leprechaun]

yeah i was wondering how much resistance the trx actually gives, like if im doing chest press, suspended back row, atomic push up etc...keeping them all about 12" off the ground this should provide a nice amount of resistance

 

[CowPimp]

You'll have to work with what you've got. The TRX basically looks like blast straps but tweaked a little bit for increased functionality. Also, I second the recommendation of purchasing a set of bands. I bought a set of bands from www.ironwoody.com to use with myself, and I use them with clients too.

 

[the_leprechaun]

thats it cowpimp, im just going to have to do what i can with the trx and bodyweigth exercises...im not going to be spending anymore money on bands etc, asw im trying to save every penny now for the travel fund!
would an intense trx circuit workout be detrimental to mass??
i was thinking a full body workout 3 times per week, 60 seconds each exercise with 30 seconds rest interval or should i be trying to get as mush resistance as possible and keep to the low rep range?

 

[CowPimp]

thats it cowpimp, im just going to have to do what i can with the trx and bodyweigth exercises...im not going to be spending anymore money on bands etc, asw im trying to save every penny now for the travel fund!
would an intense trx circuit workout be detrimental to mass??
i was thinking a full body workout 3 times per week, 60 seconds each exercise with 30 seconds rest interval or should i be trying to get as mush resistance as possible and keep to the low rep range?

What would be really detrimental to muscle mass would be doing nothing. It's better to do some kind of resistance exercise, even if the intensity is less than optimal.

 

[the_leprechaun]

ill start a new post with my planned travel routine, would you guys mind taking a look at it?

 

[loakie1974]

6 years didnt have the funds for the gym or money to spend on any weights but spent £10 on a door pull up bar i did the following every other day
5 x 10 chins slowly.
5 x 10 dips slowly. between 2 chairs
5 x as many as i could various width press ups
5 x 25 body weight squats
5 x 20 crunches
over time i put tinned food in my rucksack to increase the load 400g tin extra a week also increased amount of sets/reps
spent what i could on good food no beer or junk .
my mass gains were mainly upper body after 2 months but added more lower body training to balance in 5 months i went from 140lb my natural weight to 167lb