Throughout high school, I started each morning by going down to the basement to lift weights for an hour. But this routine fell apart as my schedule became more hectic during and after college, and eventually I stopped exercising altogether. Six years later, after losing all my strength and muscle mass, I set out to recover it.

While it wasn't feasible to recreate the old environment of a basement gym, I identified the key factors that led to success in that environment, and realized that they could be accomplished in a bedroom with gymnastic rings hanging from a pull-up bar.

Initially I focused on simply getting back into shape: getting ripped and then building mass.

Then I started taking things more seriously, trying to maximize performance on various calisthenics. I've started posting on YouTube to hold myself accountable for making progress. It really helps to see video evidence of tiny improvements compounding into massive long-term gains.

While my main goal is just to have fun staying fit, I do want to continue building a physique and see how far I can go with exercises that feel like they're in my natural wheelhouse.

Daily morning workouts.

Workout 1: Gymnastics + pull

1. [filmed] 3x planche (2x high tuck, 1x narrow supinated), 3x iron cross (50lb assist, 30lb assist, unassisted), rest, 1x strict back lever
2. [2 sets] tuck front lever rows
3. [2 sets] slow deadhang pullups
4. [2 sets] wide pullups

Workout 2: Gymnastics + push

1. [filmed] 3x planche (2x high tuck, 1x narrow supinated), 3x iron cross (50lb assist, 30lb assist, unassisted), rest, 1x strict back lever
2. [2 supersets] maximally-arched supinated front support on rings (1x parallel grip, then 1x supinated)
3. [2 sets] 100lb banded pushups
4. [2 sets] handstand pushups

Workout 3: leftovers

1. [2 supersets] banded bicep curls, banded tricep kickbacks
2. [2 supersets] 140lb banded split squats (one set each leg)
3. [15 minutes] fast jump rope