When it comes to aesthetics, building muscle, and flat out “looking good naked,” there is a lot of confusion as to what workout program or style of fitness will help you accomplish your goals.  On one hand, the purpose of an activity such as bodybuilding is to get as big and shredded as possible. However, most people do not consider the overly bulky, excessively dehydrated look of an on-stage bodybuilder to be desirable or sustainable. On the other hand, you have sports like weightlifting and powerlifting, where all that matters is the amount of weight lifted for a single repetition; factors like muscularity and leanness do not enter the picture outside of competing in specific weight classes.

Most everyday athletes and adults are looking for something different. We want a highly functional, sustainable physique that allows us to be agile, enjoy activities, and have a body that looks good; one we’re proud to show off (ie: some nice looking muscle definition).

So the question is, where does Gymnastic Strength Training™ stand on the issue of developing muscle (getting bigger), fat loss (getting leaner), and functionality (being useful)? In an old T-Nation interview from 2005, GymnasticBodies Founder and former U.S. Junior National Coach Christopher Sommer wrote this:

“In my own athletes’ training, I’m not concerned with hypertrophy in and of itself, but with the development of a powerful, explosive, flexible, stable physical structure...We focus on the development of various limit strengths, active flexibility, and an ever-increasing level of general physical preparation.”

This is what having a fully functional athletic body is all about: strength, flexibility, power, adaptability, and skill, with the added bonus of building lean muscle mass and maintaining low body fat. This kind of functional, robust build that GST develops is very desirable to the majority of everyday, healthy adults.

Does it come from a disciplined and super clean diet? Absolutely. However, we know the truth for most everyday athletes and adults is closer to a lifestyle that uses the motto: ‘everything in moderation.’ For some sustainable tips on nutrition that helps you create healthy routine patterns, check out our Thrive Program.
We know it takes more than just nutrition to build a great looking and functional body, because if not, then anyone who has ever followed a reasonably sound diet would be ripped and built.

So what is it about GST™ that builds a gymnastic body that is both functional AND attractive? First, GST works with students to achieve a well-rounded balance between strength and flexibility. We live in a modern world (computers, desk jobs, driving, using phones) where we are often sedentary for long periods of time. Our fitness journey should work to counteract those imbalances we’ve endured. 360-degree strength and mobility means a stronger, more sustainable body, as well as a healthier lifestyle.

Second, GST addresses muscular imbalances that often limit a person’s ability to train, or even move in life, effectively. If your shoulders are too tight in certain areas and weak in others, for example, then you will not be able to carry materials out of a store while working on home improvement projects or train overhead strength movements without pain or excessive limitation. Many of the Hollow Back Press mobility drills from the Foundation Series will help keep your shoulders healthy and strong for a lifetime, something that many traditional fitness routines lack.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, GST is comprised of whole-body movements and exercises, and these intense full-body contractions are supremely effective at building a solid, compact frame. GST is all about controlling your own bodyweight through space, and thus it will never make you “too big” or build muscles that are “all show, no go.”

Instead, your training time will be spent developing a physique that is as useful as it is attractive. (It’s important to you to feel confident when you look good in a swimsuit)

GymnasticBodies Training develops so much more than an aesthetic physique; get ready to enjoy a fully capable, mobile and functional body that will be prepared for all the adventures life has to offer.