StrengthBodyweight

bodyweight strength foundation program

v1

An 8-week evidence-based bodyweight program focusing on progressive overload through volume, intensity, and mechanical advantage.

Available
bodyweightstrengthprogressive-overloadcalisthenics

Get an AI coach that uses this skill

FitnessGrid is an AI coach that plans your week and adapts as you go. Install bodyweight strength foundation program and your coach will follow this protocol every week, learn from what you actually do, and adjust on the fly.

  • Your coach builds the week from this skill
  • Adapts to your actual progress, not a static template
  • Free to start — no credit card, ~60 seconds to set up

Procedure

  1. Initial Assessment and Goal Setting: Verify the user's current familiarization with bodyweight movements. Define the 8-week timeline and explain the phase-based approach (Adaptation, Loading I, Loading II, and Deload).

  2. Phase 1: Adaptation (Weeks 1-2):

    • Use create_week to schedule 3 sessions per week (e.g., Mon/Wed/Fri).
    • Use create_workout for each session as a Full Body routine.
    • Use add_exercise to include Foundation movements:
      • Vertical Push: Incline Push-ups
      • Vertical Pull: Scapular Pull-ups
      • Knee Dominant: Assisted Squats
      • Hip Dominant: Glute Bridges
      • Horizontal Push: Knee Push-ups
      • Core: Plank (30s)
    • Set volume to 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps.
    • Use create_note to instruct a Reps in Reserve (RIR) of 3-4 (leaving 3-4 reps in the tank).
  3. Phase 2: Loading I (Weeks 3-4):

    • Shift focus to metabolic stress and hypertrophy.
    • Use update_workout to increase volume: target 12-15 reps per set.
    • Use create_note to decrease RIR to 1-2 (higher intensity).
    • Gradually transition exercises to Intermediate variations: Floor Push-ups, Bodyweight Squats, Standard Push-ups, and 60s Planks.
  4. Phase 3: Loading II (Weeks 5-7):

    • Shift focus to mechanical tension and raw strength.
    • Transition to Advanced variations via add_exercise:
      • Vertical Push: Diamond/Decline Push-ups
      • Vertical Pull: Negative or Full Pull-ups
      • Knee Dominant: Bulgarian Split Squats
      • Hip Dominant: Single-Leg Glute Bridge or Eccentric Nordic Curls
      • Horizontal Push: Archer Push-ups
      • Core: Hollow Body Hold
    • Drop repetitions to 5-8 per set to account for increased difficulty.
  5. Apply Coaching Cues:

    • For all workouts, provide execution cues via create_note:
      • Push-ups: "Screw hands into floor" and "Keep pelvis neutral."
      • Squats: "Drive the floor away" and "Keep chest proud."
      • Pull-ups: "Drive elbows toward hips" and "Squeeze shoulder blades."
      • Core: "Suck belly button toward spine" and "Push lower back into floor."
  6. Phase 4: Strategic Deload (Week 8):

    • Use create_week for the final week.
    • Reduce total sets by 50% and reps per set by 30%.
    • Use create_note to set the effort level to 5/10, emphasizing recovery of the central nervous system and joints.
  7. Review and Progression: At the end of Week 8, use get_user_history to evaluate performance and determine if the user should repeat the cycle with harder variations or progress to a different training stimulus.

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