Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink shares 5 exercises you can do anywhere to build muscle, burn fat, and live longer

Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL and Brazilian jiujitsu black belt, said he loves basic exercises. His three-hour workouts include movements that can be done almost anywhere, like rucking and push-ups. He said the routine is varied throughout the year to avoid weaknesses and build strength and stamina. You don't need a fancy gym for peak fitness, according to retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. Some of the best workouts to build muscle, burn fat, and live longer involve simple exercises you can do just about anywhere, with minimal equipment. Willink would know - he wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every day to work out for up to three hours, sometimes in his massive garage gym, sometimes on the road with minimal equipment. "There is no more important strategic goal in our lives than staying healthy," he told Business Insider. "There are definitely days that I try to figure out a way to just move. You've got to do some minimum work." Willink said his goal is to prevent any weaknesses in his mental and physical performance, training strength, power, stamina, and focus wherever he goes to stay ready for any challenge life throws at him, from jiu jitsu competitions to running his business. In or out of the gym, movements such as pull-ups, squats, sprints, and rucking (carrying weight) can help you put in the work without overcomplicating your workouts. The latest research also suggests that the benefits of these movements - getting stronger, improving your resilience, and boosting heart health - can lead to a longer lifespan too. "Going back to the basics and doing things that have been used for decades is a solid way to go," Willink said. "You can never go wrong with those." Bodyweight exercises can build strength and muscle without a gym For getting stronger and more muscular, it's hard to beat bodyweight movements such as pull-ups, push-ups, and dips, Willink said. If you have a sturdy bar and bench (or can improvise one), these three exercises hit every major muscle in the upper body and core, improving stability and grip strength. Even beginners can benefit from bodyweight moves by scaling exercises like pull-ups with variations like eccentrics or dead hangs. Squats are key for a strong lower body For rock-solid legs and core muscles, squats are king , building your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and abs for better stability and power. If you can't find a squat rack and a barbell, variations like goblet squats or single-leg squats offer similar benefits. Regardless of which type of squat you choose, making sure you're hitting a full range of motion , or you're leaving gains on the table, Willink said. "When I squat, I'm squatting all the way down," he said. Burpees offer a quick workout on the go When Willink wakes up in a hotel room, he'll hit 100 burpees before doing anything else. "It keeps that discipline in my life," he said. Burpees offer a total-body workout for explosiveness and endurance in just a...

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