Bear Walk
Level
intermediate
Force
push
Mechanic
compound
Category
calisthenics Primary Muscles
Secondary Muscles
A dynamic bodyweight movement where the body is held in an inverted V position while walking forward, building core strength and shoulder stability.
Instructions
- Rest your weight on your palms and the balls of your feet, not dissimilar to normal pushup position.
- Move by stepping with your right palm and left foot, then your left palm and right foot. Basically, walk like a lumbering bear.
- Move as fast as you can while maintaining the bear position.
- Continue for the prescribed distance or time duration.
Tips
- Maintain a flat back and high hip position throughout the movement.
- The contralateral (opposite side) movement pattern increases coordination demands.
- Keep your core tight to prevent your hips from dropping.
- You can measure reps/sets in either distance (i.e. 40 yards) or time (i.e. 45 seconds).
- This is an excellent full-body strength and conditioning exercise.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gain strength | 3 | 300 m |
| Build muscle | 3 | 700 m |
| Build endurance | 3 | 1.3 km |