BOOKS & MORE: Bodyweight with Mike Diehl

Not only in times of Corona, when all fitness studios are closed, the secret of athletic success is your own body. So: you can be offered as many machines for training as you want, but the measure of success is your own body weight. And the best thing about training with your own body: Bodyweight training is possible everywhere, alone and in a team: "Fitter. Stronger. Leaner - Bring Your Gym Home" is a good introduction to the topic, created by Mike Diehl and Felix Grewe.

The book starts with a relatively unusual training tool, the exercise ball. But then it quickly gets into the basics...

Resistance bands instead of large amounts of dumbbells. Mike Diehl gives you the best practical tips in a nutshell.

And all the essential basic exercises are well explained in the book. The long jump to burpees is on the next page.

Sometimes we are thoroughly distracted while reading the book, that's because of the photos. Here are the essential practical tips for bodyweight training. The authors are not fans of long-winded rambling, everything here - like the body on the right - is concise and in good shape.

Now, this is one of the most essential chapters. Get out of your comfort zone! The path to success is through self-discipline. Regular training, challenging yourself, learning, and having fun.

And then it's time to put it into practice. Lots of exercises. Explained for beginners, but also great for people who are already in the know, perfect for reference and self-assessment. There are 100 exercises and 15 circuits.

All beautifully photographed and succinctly explained. And there are tips from Mike everywhere. Speaking of Mike Diehl: he lives in Cologne and is a certified trainer for elite sports and health, fitness, and sports rehabilitation. He is also a mental and relaxation trainer as well as a specialist sports leader for conditioning and fitness in the German armed forces. Since 2008, he has been the fitness coach of the German Fed Cup team (women's national tennis team). Diehl works as a fitness coach for the Tennis Association of the Middle Rhine. Why we particularly like his wealth of experience: Diehl has been working at the German armed forces for 30 years, was a former elite soldier in action, trained special forces, and continues to physically and mentally prepare troops for their missions.

Diehl is a man who knows what self-entertainment is all about. And if you feel like it: just collapse and take a short break with a little Tabata for relaxation. Nice Tabata timers are available in any app store today.

You are what you eat. The body is the foundation, food is the fuel. And you can do a lot for yourself here. Good food brings success and prevents you from becoming overweight. Look after yourself. The other part is hard and regular training.

The book by Mike and Frank is very versatile, in the truest sense of the word. That's why we'll show you the table of contents here...

... with all its pages.

CONCLUSION: Concise, well-illustrated, lots of practical tips, from people who know what they're doing.

"Fitter. Stronger. Leaner - Bring Your Gym Home" by Mike Diehl and Frank Grewe, Meyer & Meyer Verlag, 2018, 280 pages, Euro 19.95