Bodyweight squats: Waste of time?

[hcar08]

Hey guys!

I've been in Costa Rica for about a Month now, and have been unable to join a gym for various reasons. So, i created my own bodyweight workout program, which is going incredibly and surprisingly well for the upper body and abs (pushups, pullups, crunches, dips). I've increased pullup/pushup count by at least 200% since i started. and my endurance is much better.

The problem is, my workout includes bodyweight prisoner squats (Hands behind head elbows out and squat), pistol squats, and normal bodyweight squats with hands out in front.

Are these exercises going to be effective in building muscle in my legs? I'm concerned that im losing a lot of leg strength since i had to stop goin to the gym to do squats.

Is there any advice u can give me for leg workouts with no gym?

Cheers!

Oh, my stats:

wt: 180
ht: 6'1
squat: 272
bench: 175

[AD69]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solitary-Fitness-Charles-Bronson/dp/1844543099/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234375333&sr=8-15

[hcar08]

http://sandbagfitnesssystems.com/index. ... te-sandbag

been thinking about this...

[hcar08]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solitary-Fitness-Charles-Bronson/dp/1844543099/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234375333&sr=8-15

thanks for the link. u think u could explain the book a bit?

cheeers

[AD69]

Written by a complete nutjob prisoner who has kept in tip top shape while in solitary. No need for equipment, just bodyweight.

[hcar08]

Written by a complete nutjob prisoner who has kept in tip top shape while in solitary. No need for equipment, just bodyweight.

ya i just read about him. Thanks!

[ricepower]

You could try hindu squats, they are the staple exercise for indian wrestlers. Some of them doing thousands of reps a day.

It requires balance as you are on tip toes for descent and push, stresses the lower quads/muscles around the knee similar to stand-up cycling.

[ricepower]

http://www.mattfurey.com/hindu_squats.html

[Young Athlete]

http://www.mattfurey.com/how_to_take_a_crap.html

matt furey's products are a waste of money, ross's over at rosstraining.com are much more valuable

[ricepower]

Im not saying you should buy anything from him, it was just the first detailed info regarding hindu squats I found. He never invented them they are an indian exercise which is centuries old and helped develop the powerful physiques of wrestlers such as Gama.



- pictured aged 51.

[stallion87]

I'm going to have to buy that Bronson book now!

[bigwhat62]

if you can do pistols you are strong dude. now hold a db as you do them. do you do one armed push ups?

[LiftingNerd]

There is absolutely nothing heavy that you can manage to hold over your head while squatting? No log, brick, or small person?

[un8eliever]

There is absolutely nothing heavy that you can manage to hold over your head while squatting? No log, brick, or small person?

ha ha, I used to do squats with my 3-year-old daughter on my shoulders before I got my home gym - she loved it and was like a tough coach constantly telling me to do one more rep when I though I'd had enough!