One of the standard exercises we’ve ever printed at Nerd Health is our Newbie Body weight Exercise.
(Despite the fact that Steve filmed the unique video together with his shorts inside out and backwards. True story!)
However after a couple of weeks or months, it’s possible you’ll surprise:
“Cool, this works. However what ought to I do subsequent? Do I simply preserve doing the identical factor?”
Excellent news: you could have numerous choices!
If the exercise is beginning to really feel simpler, listed below are 5 methods to stage it up.
Be aware: the following tips work for ANY sort of body weight exercise. 💪
LEVEL 1: Add Extra Reps
That is the best development.
Attempt to add 1 rep every week.
Perhaps you begin with 10 pushups, then you definitely attempt 11, then 12.
So long as your method stays strong, progressively rising reps is an effective way to get stronger.
There isn’t a “magic” variety of reps.
The reps we propose within the exercise are there that can assist you discover the fitting stage of problem.
Over time, you’ll have the ability to do extra, and that’s nice! 🙌
LEVEL 2: Gradual Issues Down (Tempo + Pauses)
This is likely one of the most underrated progressions.
Gradual the motion down.
For instance, when doing a squat:
- Decrease your self for 3 seconds
- Pause on the backside for 1-2 seconds
- Stand again up usually.
The identical works for push-ups, rows, lunges, and extra.
Slower reps imply your muscle mass keep below stress longer = extra problem!
LEVEL 3: Select a Tougher Variation
As a substitute of doing extra reps, you can even make the train itself more durable.

Listed here are a couple of examples:
Pushups
Wall pushups -> Incline pushups -> Ground pushups -> Decline pushups
Squats
Body weight Squat -> Cut up Squat -> Bulgarian Cut up Squat -> Pistol Squat development
Rows
1-Arm Row -> Doorway Row -> Nook Tuck -> Ring Row
Identical motion sample.
Only a larger problem.
Do you know we really constructed this for you?
It’s referred to as the Body weight Adventures. 21 exercises that incorporate all of those first 3 stage ups.
It helps you already know when to extend reps, change the tempo, or transfer to a more durable variation.
If you happen to haven’t seen it, simply hit reply and I’ll ship it your means! 🙌
LEVEL 4: Add New Workouts
Another choice is to maintain the unique exercise the identical and add a couple of additional workout routines.
For instance:
Need extra core energy?
Attempt including Deadbugs, Hanging Knee Tucks, and so on.
Need extra higher physique work?
Attempt including in Pike Push-ups, Bar Hangs, and so on.
Need extra decrease physique work?
Attempt including Glute Bridges, Step Ups, and so on.
These can add a bit little bit of enjoyable and selection in your exercises!
Be aware: in case you’re brief on time, as a substitute of including it in, contemplate subbing a motion out. I.e. exchange lunges with step ups, or planks with deadbugs. You get to get pleasure from extra selection with out making the exercise take too lengthy!
LEVEL 5: Add Resistance
Including a bit outdoors resistance may assist.
And also you don’t want fancy gear.
You possibly can:
- Maintain a backpack crammed with books
- Fill some gallon jugs with water
- Or actually have a good friend manually apply some light resistance as you do the motion. (i.e. calmly urgent down on shoulders as you arise from a squat.)
That is additionally the place many individuals begin exploring energy coaching with weights.
(If that sounds fascinating, our Newbie Dumbbell Exercise and Energy Coaching 101 information are nice subsequent steps.)
And also you don’t have to select one or the opposite. Body weight workout routines are simply one other type of energy coaching. All of it counts and it’s all nice. 😃
—
One last tip: don’t change every little thing, in all places, unexpectedly!

Choose one of these items so as to add to your exercises and see how you are feeling.
Ultimately, it’s possible you’ll stack all of those collectively, however you don’t must be in a rush! Give your physique time to adapt. 💪
You bought this!
– Matt
P.S. Want you could possibly ask a coach a query? Effectively, now you possibly can! As an experiment, I arrange a Video Ask! It permits you submit a query to be answered by a coach. Test it out!






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