The Lockdown is the Perfect Opportunity to Get in the Best Shape of Your Life
How do you think people in jail get so jacked?
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
— Socrates
I’ve never been in terrific shape, and a few months ago, I decided that I should rectify that.
I mean, I guess I’m decently fit compared to a regular Joe. I’m passably strong, flexible and coordinated enough to pass off as athletic.
The problem is I’m not aspiring to be an average Joe.
I used to be a competitive martial artist. To even compete on the same level with some of these savages (and I mean that as the highest compliment possible) means you’ve got to at your best.
You’ve got to be a lean, mean machine. You’ve got to be in shape.
You’ve got to treat yourself like a professional.
The only way you become a leading man is to treat yourself like a leading man, and work your ass off.
— Arnold Swarchzeneggar
So, a few weeks ago, I restructured my programme.
I brought in an excellent team of physical fitness trainers, BlackCatMovement, to bring my conditioning to the next level.
We lifted 2–3 times a week, with a focus on functional strength and injury-proofing my body.
On my part, I read up on sports science and nutrition. I listened to podcasts hosted by athletes more experienced and scientists more knowledgeable than me.
Over time, I even grew to enjoy working out.
I never had a taste for resistance training, or indeed any kind of conditioning. I found them too boring.
I have since come to realize that lifting iron is meditative in its own way. It reminds me, strangely enough, of yoga.
I learned.
I improved.
Then the pandemic struck.
Is It Even Possible To Get in Shape at Home?
“It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor.”
— Cicero
If you’re already a fitness fanatic, this article is not for you.
This article is written for people like me. Regular guys who have always wanted to get in tremendous shape, but always procrastinated.
Not enough time, or being too tired from work, is no longer a convenient excuse in the lockdown era.
This is a rare moment in history where time is a more freely-available resource — not to mention most of us are temporarily out of work anyway.
We might as well use this newfound resource to better ourselves.
It is possible to get in great, great shape with no equipment.
Just ask this Malaysian gentleman who ran a 263km long marathon — all at the comfort of his home!
It’s an unbelievable story, and it proves that we are more often shackled by the confines of our mind than the environment.
Or ask the myriad of people who go to jail and proceed to get in the best shape of their lives — often with zero access to adequate equipment.
So how do they do it?
Callisthenics
“The Greeks made a makeshift wall and the Spartans in particular were seen doing calisthenics….and generally preparing for battle.”
— Quote about The Battle of Thermopylae, the historical battle that inspired the movie “300.”
Let me introduce you to the magic of callisthenics.
They’re essentially body-weight exercises. Everyone on earth is familiar with them, and as a form of exercise, they’ve been around since antiquity.
Ever done a push-up? Did you do a sit-up as you got out of bed this morning, or walk down the stairs to get a cup of water?
You’re performing callisthenics, albeit unknowingly.
Callisthenics use gravity and your own body weight as a stimulus to burn fat and grow muscle. They don’t require any equipment, and thus are perfect for the enforced stay-home situation we are in.
As long as you have some space around the house to move, you’re good to go.
There is a great, 17 minutes long Better Humans article titled ‘How to Build Muscle at Home With No Equipment’. It has well-researched science and holds your hands through the entire process of a bodyweight workout, so I’ll save my breath.
The one thing I’d like to add is if you’re lost and intimidated, I recommend starting off with doing 100 push-ups a day.
The push-up is a great exercise you can do anywhere there is a flat surface.
Doing 100 of them daily has instilled in me not only physical health benefits but mental confidence.
Hey, if it’s good enough for the Spartans, it’s good enough for me.
This Pandemic is the Perfect Time to Make Your Dreams Come True
“The clock is ticking. Are you becoming the person you want to be?”
— Greg Plitt, fitness model
If you’re reading this, it’s more than likely that you’re stuck at home due to the pandemic, with little to do except twiddle your thumbs, play video games and eat Cheetos.
Now, I’m not judging. Everyone is stressed because of the coronavirus, and we all do what we can to cope. I’ve written about how important it is to take some time to rest and recuperate during this period.
However, if you’ve always wanted to achieve a goal but were always too bogged down by life to do so, this lockdown period is the perfect time to get after it.
I am reminded of a quote by Robert Kiyosaki:
“What are you doing this weekend to improve your financial situation?”
We’re obviously not talking specifically about your financial situation, but your life in general.
After reading countless success stories, I couldn’t help but notice one startling consistency — most successful people get ahead not during their 9–5 jobs, but during their time off.
It’s how you spend your weekends and holidays that truly matter.
And this lockdown is basically one giant, extended weekend.
Use it to recuperate as much as you wish, but once you’re all rested up remember to get back at it.
And building discipline over your body is a great way to build discipline over the mind.
Thanks for reading my story :)
