You may think a more muscular upper body, stronger legs and of course a defined mid-section, and at first glance yes this is what many will cite as their reason for doing weights, however at a deeper level, what anyone who performs any type of physical activity really wants is simply to "feel good".

To feel good about themselves, and their body. To live up to the masculinity of the heroes in action movies and to look as good as the cover models on the magazines that we're perpetually bombarded with. In a nutshell, for a lot of people its simply about approval and acceptance, from themselves, from those they love, from everyone.

The truth is this has nothing to do with weight lifting and everything to do with it.

Weight lifting is a bit like carbonated drinks and fast food. Deep down we know that it doesn't really do us any good. Weight lifting simply doesn't "feel good." Sure, we get an endorphin rush while doing the exercises, but consistent weight lifting practise simply puts too much stress on muscles and joints, typically increasing the muscle imbalances that manifest with bigger arms and chest, but chronically sore shoulders and back.

For most, the pain eventually outweighs the pleasure, and training stops. Instead of "feeling good," ultimately many become frustrated because the training system (ie weight lifting) that they bought into simply doesn't do it. I know this from experience, and you probably do too.

If you're really interested in a long-term training system that makes you leaner, stronger and of immense importance makes you "feel good" by conditioning your whole body, and in particular that all important abdominal area, while at the same time enhancing and correcting body alignment then you must check out bodyweight exercises.

Here's the secret to life. Do things that make you "feel good," and again in my experience bodyweight exercises will.

Bodyweight exercises are a series of movements that use your own bodyweight plus gravity to make your body strong and lean, and develop incredible endurance. The abdominals are used with pretty much every single movement and become toned and defined in a very short time.

In a nutshell bodyweight exercises are the ultimate training sytem. However, you must remember that the ultimate test is - "do they make you feel good" not just when you're in the zone but the next morning, the following day, the rest of your long and healthy life?

Bodyweight exercises often work when no other program will.