I love bodyweight exercises…
So this list was pretty easy to compile. I’ve been studying bodyweight exercises for years now and I always come back to these specific ones.
This list is actually a double top 10, since I do a beginner variation of each one for those of you who are working to build your strength. 
Take a look now…
Your question of the day: What’s your favorite bodyweight exercise?
Click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your comment now!
If you do want an encyclopedia of dozens more, then check out Steve Cotter’s bodyweight exercise DVD set. It’s 3 DVD’s of bodyweight exercises from quite possibly the most amazing physical specimen on the planet. Steve is the real deal! (He’s worked with Mixed Martial artists to Pro Football players!)
Click here to check out Steve’s encyclopedia of bodyweight exercises!
Live Awesome!
Kevin
8:25 pm on July 25th, 2008
Thanks Kevin for this excellent top ten.
I only practice Yoga and walk one hour every day. My exercise routine feels incomplete … I’m gonna start to practice some of your exercises.
3:26 am on July 26th, 2008
Hi Kevin, Love your show! Your enthusiasm is infective. I will try some of the excercises. I am recovering from knee surgery, so need excercises I can do without putting too much stress on my knees. Also I am very overweight, any ideas for this?
Thanks Sonja
3:30 am on July 26th, 2008
PUSHUPS!! (preferably with feet elevated higher than hands)
PULLUPS!!!
two of the best ever.
10:29 am on July 26th, 2008
How about “doorknobs” with outstretched arms? Love the burn….
11:57 am on July 26th, 2008
I love pushups and pull ups too! The hindu or military pushup works more though… more bang for the buck. Pull ups, I didn’t include because you need equipment, or at least a low tree branch.
“doorknobs” what are those?
Val and Sonja, I’ll address these questions in an upcoming show for everyone to benefit from!
Live Awesome!
Kev
12:54 pm on July 26th, 2008
I actually tried to do the bridge a few days before this episode and realised that my hip flexors are not as flexible as they used to be! Will use the build up exercises to help get back that flexibility.
Thanks Kevin
4:16 pm on July 27th, 2008
Personally, I like using Kettle Bells. I love how quickly they have transformed my body and my back and knees are much stronger. Thanks, Linda
5:08 pm on July 27th, 2008
Hi Kevin - I’m going to show my husband this post, he’ll really appreciate it. I’d like you to know that your blog was awarded by me. You always offer great information. Thank you.
5:55 pm on July 27th, 2008
I like doing shoulder stands and i am building on head syands at the moment to.
9:42 pm on July 27th, 2008
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for all the great info. I loooove your show and have been telling everyone about it…
Just a quick question on the bodyweight exercises… I am very new to exercise (my major form of exercise is walking and some beginning yoga and rebounding), am seriously out of shape and have about 100 lbs to drop… Do you think that the bodyweight exercises are the way to go and how would i come up with a routine… Do you think your top 10 would be sufficient as a full body regimen?
thanks so much and keep up the good work!
10:14 pm on July 27th, 2008
Hi Kevin I have an extremely slow internet connection at present and will have until at least December. Is there anyway of downloading the video clips? If I try and watch online it takes 1/2hr5 or more and I only get to listen to a few words at a time.
Regards
Rachel
11:48 am on July 28th, 2008
Hi Kevin,
thank you for this substantial health week and congratulation to your persistance to give us almost each day some minutes of your life!
My favourite exercise for short time is stair climbing with some weights that are around (some bottles, a paket, stones).
By the way I knew the #1 and #2 from a german health trainer, who also knows the eastern origin of these exercises. May I ask you, where have you learned about it?
1:20 pm on July 29th, 2008
Good stuff!
Funny how the Hindu exercises are at the top of the list. Do they know something we don’t? Haha.
11:10 pm on August 10th, 2008
what about muscle-ups and HSPUs?
6:51 pm on October 1st, 2008
tyvm for this list, helped me a ton!
12:19 am on November 8th, 2008
Hello and good day
I am responsible for the Physical Training of 560 people. First there are three objectives that must be meet. Cost, Quality, and Convenience… Your top 10 is great
Cost = Free
Quality = Upper, Lower, and Core muscle groups
Convenience = can be done anywhere anytime
Thank you
My planning is done, and with your double top 10 list beginner/advance I am set for years and years of Unlimited and Sustained Physical Fitness Improvement.
7:53 pm on March 7th, 2009
Thanks, Kevin. Is your routine down loadable or posted on YouTube?
7:58 pm on March 7th, 2009
Hi,
The Hindu pushup is just a part of the entire routine of the Hindu pushup. Google/youtube ‘Surya namaskar’ to see the complete routine. The Surya Namaskar(sun salutation) is the #1 bodyweight exercise since ancient times. Try it!
8:12 pm on March 7th, 2009
The hindu pushups were fun and do seem to work a wider range of muscles than traditional pushups. Thanks!
11:11 pm on March 7th, 2009
I am interested in getting one of those “I may be blue, but I’m going green” T-shirts. How do I go about getting one?
Thanks,
Jeff
11:55 pm on March 7th, 2009
Hey nice video. I’ll check this site out more often. These are great for daily morning exercises. Thanks!
11:54 am on March 8th, 2009
Thanks for this.
I’m definitely going to try all of these. Cheers!
4:25 pm on March 8th, 2009
This was awesome! A great combination of calisthenics and pilates movements. I know that you wanted to keep the video short, but a lot of these exercises were quite rushed … unless, of course, you are going for cardio. My advice: keep these movements slow and deliberate … it’s harder to do and you’ll develop more strength.
One exercise that was not shown that is great for stretching/strength:
1) Stand tall with feet at shoulder length apart.
2) Breathe in and contract abs.
3) Bend your head forward and slowly roll your upper body down so that your hands touch your feet (or as close as possible).
4) With your hands, walk your body into a push-up position and perform one push up (slowly!).
5) Now, perform steps 1-4 backwards so that you end up in a standing position.
(substitution of easier push-ups can be done at step 4.)
Cheers,
M.
9:34 pm on March 10th, 2009
You may know the 90-90 wall squat — back to the wall, thighs parallel to the ground, 90 seconds. I call this the Egyptian God. Now … when that gets easy, try it again, but ONE leg at a time. This will not be easy. I call it the Egyptian Flamingo.
12:35 pm on March 11th, 2009
Hiya…excellent top ten. Several appear to be a variant of yoga (no diss just observation) After decades of martial arts, lifting and gymrat stuff I happened upon a yoga class lead by a “sleight & slender instructor”. My toughts were “yoga pshaw too easy for me” but I took a class
It was one of the best & toughest classes i ever had. I was hooked. I literally wring the sweat outta my t-shirt after an 90 minutes of yoga. The intensity is great and the exercises can be adjusted to each individual’s level of ability. I’ve since brought my “tuff guy” friends to her class and challenged them to keep up. They’re hooked now too.
It’s basically bodyweight training as expressed thru postures.
suggestion: discuss how proper breathing is important and leads to greater improvement. For me its ujjayi breathing that pulls it all together
Gyms are okay if they help you get/stay in shape but bodyweight training is ideal for everyman & woman
oh BTW the link to steve’s site appears broken.
keep breathing
2:45 pm on March 11th, 2009
Yup yup yup partner - those are the probably some of if not the best bodyweight calisthenics out there. On the hindu squat, however, breathing rythmm is very important - namely, out on the way down and in coming up. Awesome.
1:43 pm on March 29th, 2009
Hi Steve, I greatly appreciated you top 10 video and now use them regularly. They are a great addition to my biking, running and weight lifting.
I write about positive psychology, mental health, progressive thinking, and consciousness at http://www.explorelifeblog.com
Keep up the great inspirational videos.
Joseph
1:45 pm on March 29th, 2009
OOPs. I mean Kevin.