When it comes to desirable physiques, gymnasts take some beating. Strength? Check. Lean muscle? Check. Mobility? Check, check, check.
It was only a matter of time, then, before our video series How I Build My Body focused on a gymnast. Who else would be better to kick things off than Max Whitlock, British Gymnastics’ most decorated male athlete?
It goes without saying that the most decorated male gymnast to hail from these shores knows a thing or two about carving an impressive body, but what may surprise you is that Whitlock’s body has been made without weights, because lifting doesn’t build the kind of muscle he needs. Instead, Whitlock’s workouts are purely bodyweight-based.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
In the above video, he takes us through some of the moves he would use to warm up before moving onto a day of handstand variations, ring work, triceps dips, wide-arm press-ups and leg lifts. While the above (and below) moves may be part of a warm-up routine for Whitlock, for mere mortals these moves equate to a pretty challenging full-body workout. Consider this your introduction to building a gymnastics-worthy frame.
Max Whitlock’s Workout
- Straight Jump Half Turn to Stick
- Roll Backs
- Dish to Arch
- Bum Lifts with Tucked Legs
- Wrist presses
- Circles
Sign up to the Men’s Health newsletter and kickstart your home body plan. Make positive steps to become healthier and mentally strong with all the best fitness, muscle-building and nutrition advice delivered to your inbox.
For effective home workouts, uplifting stories, easy recipes and advice you can trust, subscribe to Men’s Health UK.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Discussion about this post