Using your own weight better than using weights? (muscles, lose fat, lift)

[BarcelonaFan]

I've been doing 300 push ups, 200 backlifts, 400 crunches and with the iron gym I do 100 pull ups and continue to do more push ups on the iron gym.

Would this be enough to tone up? Every other day I power walk and sprint about 10 miles in the park so its more like a hike. Afterward I get in the pool and swim laps for about an hour.

Do I really need to incorporate weights?

[1208]

Yes.

[jade408]

If you are doing that high volume of each exercise, you probably need to make your exercises more challenging. It is easier to add weight to add challenge than it is to come up with body weight variations.

[ITSPECELP]

Yes you will "tone up". You won't look like a bodybuilder or a pro athlete, but you'll see results. Vary the exercises and the intensity, and you'll be alright.

[Sciameriken]

You are probably building strength endurance but not pure strength. The answer to your question depends on your goals - do you want to be able to lift more?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

Using your own weight better than using weights?

It will depend on what your goal is. Bodyweight exercises are excellent, just take a look at how fit gymnasts and Cirque du Soleil type acrobats are. Thing is, you cant just do bodyweight exercises and expect results. You need to do a LOT of them and be consistent with it along with eating right.

[BarcelonaFan]

I am going to start incorporating the lat row machine. Probably start off at 160lbs, 12 reps.

Then the butterfly machine at 180lbs at 12 reps.

My goal is to look toned but not Brad Pitt in Troy. More like Richard Gere in American Gigolo or Leo Dicaprio in Blood Diamond.

[BarcelonaFan]

I did my own weight training last night. Should I wait one more day to start the weights, give my muscles a rest or could I start today?

I was just thinking about swimming and hiking today.

[Crustedfilth]

Thats a ton of volume. Maybe a bit too much.

by tone do you mean losing fat or adding muscle?

Instead of all that work try
push ups with one leg raised
pistol squats
glute ham raise
handstand push ups
inverted row
a lot less pull ups

No need to incorporate weights as long as you know how to intensify each move. But, weights are always recommended.

[BarcelonaFan]

less pull ups? Why? Will that harm me?

What do you mean by tons of volume? I just want to lose fat and add muscle.