Yesterday morning (6/2/20) I did 10 supersets of 15 bodyweight squats, and 15 “pullups” on the total gym.
Dripping sweat, I had worked some stuff out.
I’ve had amazing results over the years from pushups, as relatively light stimuli done consistently will get you strong.
Since I’ve mostly experienced this with pushups doesn’t mean it’s not possible full body with other exercises.
It is.
As I write (yesterday night) I actually have doms in my quads from the session, kinda surprising, as I thought my legs were more used to work than this. However, it’s proof that the session worked well.
It’s something of a secret that you have to intuit and discover in your own training, that light muscular stimuli ends up being the most effective as it both builds you up and is conductive to longevity.
Rationally, it’s obvious that strong individuals aren’t required to get that way from a gym. And looking to a lot of those who insist on maxing out, they often end up broken. It’s said that Hermann Gorner, up to and including his record lifts, never maxed out.
The prisoner or soldier well served by calisthenics ends up very strong by way of +/- a million reps.
The laborer end up strong due to being physical all day long.
Your max strength is always going to be higher than what you rep, and honestly going hard on high reps does build strength.
Whether it’s pushing to get the 5th, 50th, or 500th rep, the body is getting stronger.
If the body finds it challenging it’ll grow stronger. It will, do the work!
Just do enough volume, that overrides a lot of variables.
With this in play your upper body will be served by pushups, the lower by bodyweight squats.
You’ll walk around always strong, as you train consistently, and are never without the necessary equipment.
Use what you’ve got. If that’s you, that’s fine. You’ll be plenty strong.