2018 NPAA Magazine 2018 NPAA Magazine - This is Our Sport | Page 37

Skill-Driven Individuals
People are motivated in different ways. Some individuals are driven by personal improvements
(progress) in a skill or exercise to stay motivated. Calisthenics not only require strength, but also
require the learning of movement patterns. There are many progressions of each movement, allowing
for constant progress to keep individuals motivated.
Examples of calisthenics exercises:
Body weight squats | Lunges | Push-ups | Handstands | Pull-ups / Chin-ups | Jumping
Personal Favourite Calisthenic Exercises
Here are my three favourite full body exercises that have taken me years to master:
Planche - This exercise requires an extreme amount of strength, achieved through the stabilization of the
body while in push-up position, with feet off of the ground. I love the planche because it requires full body
awareness.
Handstand - A free standing handstand, surprising to most, takes months to years in order to gain the
body awareness and balance. While traveling, I very much enjoy performing handstands in breathtaking
locations and capturing the moment (and movement). I truly believe that life is better upside-down!
Single arm pull-up - All of my favourite exercises have one thing in common: they have taken me years to
accomplish. A single arm pull-up is no exception. This exercise requires both cross-body tension and very
strong shoulders to pull yourself up with one arm; it is a great demonstration of strength.
About Nathaniel Ernst ,
B.Sc. (Exercise Science)
Nathaniel (Nate) Ernst is a registered
Kinesiologist, Precision Nutrition Certified
Professional, and an Elite Personal Fitness
Trainer with a proven track record of
achieving performance and results. Nate
is an accomplished athlete, winning the
National Physique and Athletic Association
(NPAA) Canadian Championship title in Men’s
Physique and has competed internationally
as an International Federation of Physique
Athletes (IFPA) Pro in the United States. He
is the owner of NATEFIT Integrated Fitness &
Nutrition Consulting, a company he founded
by combining his passion for physiology,
kinesiology, and people, focusing his energy
toward integrating proper movement and
nutrition into bettering the lives of his clients.
Find him on Instagram @natefityyc or natefit.ca
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