Minimalist physical exercise

Written for minimalists — Part II.b of the Fitness for nerds series.

My previous post on minimalist physical exercise was a 10 minute read. The irony of this did not elude the minimalists of Reddit.

For them, I wrote this minimalist version. We aim to please.

I wrote this article in an empty room with only the concept of this pencil.

The best minimalist physical exercises are (barefoot) running and body weight exercises.

For both of these, I’ll list some advantages and tips that I found useful as a desk worker, computer nerd and someone who generally has no intrinsic interest in sports or physical activity for its own sake.

Running

Pros

1. Improves your cardiovascular health (heart, blood) and lung capacity.
2. Little/no equipment needed (probably shoes, but barefoot may be better).
3. Boosts spirit; makes you happier, more optimistic and more energetic.
4. Works your mental muscle, increasing your willpower.
5. May even rejuvenate your brain (if you’re a mouse).
6. Gives you huge bulging calves.

Tips

1. Land on your forefoot to minimize injuries and wear.
2. Run off-road to soften…