SouthernWorldwide.com – A fitness influencer has shared a straightforward yet effective habit that can help individuals regain their physical shape. Mark Langowski, widely recognized on social media as @bodybymark, recently hosted a push-up and plank competition in New York City, using the event to inspire the public to become more active.
Langowski, who boasts nearly two million followers on Instagram, often engages his audience by asking them to share their workout routines. The competition, held in Washington Square Park on May 12 and in collaboration with Oikos yogurt, provided him with an opportunity to connect with many fitness-conscious New Yorkers.
The event featured both male and female winners who excelled in either the number of push-ups performed or the duration of their plank hold. Each winner was awarded $500.
Langowski stated that the competition was designed as a way to promote strength and overall fitness within New York City and across the nation.
“We gathered together and held a plank competition and a push-up competition,” he explained. “We had one guy who completed an impressive 111 push-ups. We’re simply encouraging people to get moving.”
According to Langowski, key attributes of a strong competitor include strength, humility, and confidence.
“The individuals who achieved the most didn’t necessarily boast about their capabilities beforehand,” he observed. “Conversely, some who claimed they could do 150 push-ups only managed 70.”
He added that a degree of humility is beneficial for a good competitor.
Langowski identified push-ups and planks as excellent baseline exercises for assessing one’s fitness level. Other fundamental exercises include pull-ups, squats, and endurance tests like running a mile – essentially, the basics found in elementary school fitness assessments.
For those who have not yet mastered these fundamental exercises but wish to improve their fitness, Langowski offered guidance on how to begin.
“It’s advisable to work with a trainer or someone knowledgeable about progressive training,” he recommended. “Many people think, ‘I can’t do a push-up, so I’ll never do one.’ That’s not the right approach.”
Read more : Trump-Xi Summit's Chill Signals a New Cold War With China
Langowski suggests starting with modified push-ups, such as performing them on the knees or against a wall. The progression then involves moving to standard push-ups by placing oneself on the toes and lowering the body fully to the ground before pushing back up.
“You’ll be amazed after a few weeks, months, or years of consistent practice how much you’ll be able to do,” he assured. “No one was born able to do 111 push-ups. They put in the effort and started from a basic level.”
The trainer emphasized that in addition to regular practice, allowing the body adequate rest is crucial. Supporting muscle growth through sufficient protein intake and a generally healthy diet is also vital.
However, Langowski believes the most critical step in achieving fitness is possessing the motivation to start.
“I understand that might sound easy coming from me, as I’ve been involved in fitness and maintained a relatively fit physique for most of my life,” he acknowledged. “And I know many people are currently sedentary, either feeling sorry for themselves or going through difficult times. You simply need to make an effort to get out there.”
The trainer suggested beginning with a simple walk, even just around the block, without the need for any gym equipment.
“You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get in good shape,” he stated. “Most of the people I encounter on the street don’t even have gym memberships. They exercise in their living rooms.”
“And that’s where you can perform the exercises I mentioned – the squats, the lunges, the push-ups,” Langowski continued.
“So, I would encourage people to just begin, but also to involve friends or hire a trainer, someone who can support you and ensure you exercise safely.”
