How to do pull-ups and hanging leg raises with a BMX
BMX Flatland bike Calisthenics workout
Do something new every day
Creativity in BMX Flatland and Calisthenics
Recently I adopted a habit of doing some bodyweight exercises after riding BMX Flatland. Street workout and BMX Flatland practice have things in common. These sports allow me to be creative and train my body - and mind along - outdoors. There are countless moves one can practise on every level. I ride and train before or after walking my dogs, depending on the season, the weather and how dark it is early in the morning.
BMX and street workout have a big difference as well:
While the first, Flatland is often mentioned as an extreme sport, though I think Calisthenics moves can also be called extreme, is not so budget-sparing due to the need of a bike to practise on, the second, Street Workout need no or just minimalistic equipment. All you need is your body and a few pieces of clothes not to scare away people, in case you are not training in the wilderness with Tarzan, LOL :)
The above does not mean that BMX Flatland is a rich-people's sport, but as time flies by, those who are persistent come to realize that good bike parts have a higher price. This can be turned into positive too: money can be spent on rather sports instead of buying all kinds of useless gadgets or clothes to show off with, not to speak of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
There are always things to improve
Now let's get back to training. Mouth aerobics won't make a 6-pack. I always have stuff to work on. Keeping legs more straight, not to bob my head during push-ups, using a bigger range of motion performing chin-ups...the list goes on. This is the beauty of it: I have to work for the perfection of exercises on every level.
Weight training vs bodyweight exercises
I am not a fan of using weights or weight training, but despite this I had a crazy though to use my BMX to make my life hard an painful during training :D
I totally agree with 'father' of Convict Conditioning Paul 'Coach' Wade and the Kavadlo bros, Danny and Al in the following: using weights put unnecessary strain on the body and the moves seen in gyms - all of those I also kept doing for many years way back in my teens and twenties- are unnatural and strain the joints.
I make an exception with my BMX Flatland bike when it comes to using weight, I have to admit, though, that I only do these moves, push-ups and hanging leg raises with my bike as extra weight every now and then. It makes my smile and grin when I do these because I love the fact how crazy it is - the people who saw me do it had their jaws drop off as well, he-he. :D
I keep it short and hard instead of pumping for long hours
I am pretty tired after practising my trick on my 'kids' bike', so I keep my bodyweight workout short but hardcore. I would do the same way I think if I did not ride before it. It also fits into my schedule better.
The benefit of riding Flatland before Street Workout is that I am warmed up, so I do not really spend time on doing some easier stuff. I often jump into windshield wipers first, but it depends on my form and energy level, and whole lotta other stuff on the given day.
I do not really rest between exercises. I do some leg raises and then I jump righ into push-ups or tricep dips. I also do some stretching between the exercises, but I do not really rest, not to speak of sitting down. Of course I do not rush, because that would be on the expense of form. If I feel that I am tired, I rather do less repetitions but those I want to keep as perfect accoding to my level as I can.
