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Are push ups, squats and pull ups enough? Hi I am 18 yo 183cm tall guy. I am about 87kg …
what it claims
The community strongly converges on the idea that compound bodyweight movements are sufficient to build a solid athletic base.
noli's read
The community strongly converges on the idea that compound bodyweight movements are sufficient to build a solid athletic base. Research supports this principle: studies on resistance training (such as RCTs and systematic reviews) confirm that progressive overload—increasing exercise difficulty over time—is the primary driver of muscle development, regardless of the tool used (bodyweight or external loads). It is true that focusing on movement patterns rather than isolated exercises allows for better adherence, a critical factor for beginners. However, the idea that an arbitrarily high number of repetitions (such as 100 push-ups) is the ultimate goal is exaggerated; evidence suggests that a range of 8 to 20 repetitions is often more effective for hypertrophy. Finally, some comments rightly highlight the importance of adding horizontal pulling movements (for shoulder balance) and working the core, which is missing from a strict minimalist program but is validated by literature on injury prevention.
the sources
Claimed by r/bodyweightfitness. Noli grades the claim, never the person.
Decoded by Noli · July 18, 2026 · the original post
What’s uncertain
Light loads match heavy loads for size only when sets are taken close to failure; for pure maximal strength, heavier loads have the edge, and body-weight training eventually needs harder variations to keep progressing.
Other advice in the Register that leans on the same research.
Paste any health post from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube or X — or the advice itself, if someone just told you. About ten seconds, no account needed.
