What Did The Legendary
George Hackenschmidt
Have To Say About
Working Out Without Weights?

by Coach Lomax

George Hackenschmidt was a strongman, professional wrestler and author from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

The "Russian Lion", as he was nicknamed, was a legend for his wrestling abilities and weight lifting feats.

In his book, The Way To Live, Hackenschmidt laid out his formula for fitness, health and physique.

Even in the early 1900's, Hackenschmidt showed concern for the decline in physical health of men and women... despite the progress of civilization, medical science and sanitary conditions.

He wrote...

"The reason is not far to seek. There is an urban migration, a vast increase in the number of those who are engaged in indoor and sedentary occupation, and only here and there is any attempt made to combat the consequent unhealthy conditions of life with the only satisfactory weapon. Rational Physical Exercise."

For Hackenschmidt, rational physical exercise using dumbbells and barbells to improve strength was absolutely necessary for health... because "health can never be divorced from strength."

So, what does this strong advocate of weight lifting
have to do with working out without weights?

According to Hackenschmidt, developing great strength was dependant on lifting heavy weights, but the exerciser "should of course combine these exercises with skipping, running, jumping and gymnastics of every description in order to similarly develop his activity and agility."

As a matter of fact, he dedicates an entire chapter to working out without weights where dumbbells and barbells are not used... entitled Exercises Without Weights.

While he contends exercising with weights is needed for great strength... he also contends working out without weights "if done conscientiously, develop a fair average physique, as well as a sound, all-round physical fitness - in other words, a sound and healthy constitution."

Furthermore, Hackenschmidt acknowledges since not everyone can "safely enter straight away on a course of weight-lifting exercises, and of exercises with weights, he will be well advised if he devotes at least two or three weeks to these exercises without weights, and further to include a fair selection of them in his programme of daily exercise with weights.”

Coach Eddie Lomax

Workout Without Weights

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In other words, working out without weights is the logical starting point for a fitness program... as well as an integral part of a fitness program including other methods of training, like dumbbells and barbells.

I couldn’t agree more.

While the language of the previous quotes is sexist (sorry ladies), the message is important for both men and women... working out without weights should be part of your over-all fitness plan.

Working out without weights using bodyweight calisthenics has been a proven method for improving fitness, health and physique for centuries... but is sometimes overlooked in the modern world.

Don't underestimate the value of working out without weights... especially when bodyweight calisthenics exercise is formulate into a comprehensive, progressive plan for fitness, health and physique improvement.

If working out without weights interests you... the best resource, for any price, is Workout Without Weights: Bodyweight Calisthenics Workout Progression System .

Systematically take your fitness, health and physique to new heights with the power of progressive strength, endurance and fat burning workouts. The power is in the PLAN... and Workout Without Weights is THE plan!

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Coach Eddie Lomax is the founder and president of the Optimum Fitness Network, and author of the best-selling ebooks Workout Without Weights: Bodyweight Calisthenics Workout Progression System and Ultimate Gymless Workout.

DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace professional, medical recommendations or common sense. This site, owners and employees accept no responsibility for injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of the information provided.