Originally Posted by
locolobo13
When you read weight training books they have the attitude that Strength is All. Read bodyweight exercise books they're still preaching strength, little to no cardio, but are telling you that weights are unnatural and you SHOULD do bodyweight exercises.
FWIW, the authors of the parallettes program I'm following are relatively open-minded. They have no problem going to gyms for heavy barbell lifts. They do caution against "cocktail" training, for the simple reason that the more different kinds of training you mix up, the slower your progress will be. That said, all their programs offer advice on scheduling your workouts if you choose to combine one of their programs with another one.
Started the parallettes program just after beginning commuting by bike to work. Progress has been pretty decent so far - doubled my max reps on the most difficult non-hold exercises, and have progressed in the one-leg shoulder stand hold from 5-sec. hold per leg to 3 sec. hold with both feet off the floor (the lower foot hovering a couple of inches off-floor instead of supporting the body).