Research
Mixed
Resistance exercise can be effectively performed using bodyweight, provided the intensity and effort are sufficient to overload the neuromuscular system.
You can build strength and muscle using only your body weight. Ensure you are performing exercises that challenge you (e.g., push-ups, squats) with sufficient intensity. If bodyweight exercises become too easy, increase the difficulty (e.g., elevate feet) rather than assuming you need weights.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
bodyweight push-ups and low-load bench presses produce similar adaptations in muscle strength and size (Kikuchi and Nakazato 2017).
Why this rating
Supported by specific comparative studies cited in the review.
Source
What is resistance exercise? A review of current uses and potential ways forward
Lars Hubertus Lohmann et al. · European Journal of Applied Physiology · 2026
DOI 10.1007/s00421-026-06148-2
narrative_reviewCited 2×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- The lack of a unified definition for resistance exercise (RE) in scientific literature leads to heterogeneous inclusion criteria in systematic reviews, which obscures the true magnitude of effects and impairs the development of evidence-based guidelines.Good
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