Grade 1 - Intro to Calisthenics

  Intro to Calisthenics

What are Calisthenics?

    Calisthenics is usually referred to as "bodyweight training" since it is resistance training without weights. Calisthenics is a very accessible way to get into resistance training because it doesn't require weights or a gym membership. Calisthenics can be done anywhere no matter what. All you need is your body. Calisthenics offers increases in not only strength and size but flexibility and endurance as well. 

Getting Started with Calisthenics.

    As mentioned before calisthenics can be performed anywhere; this can be your bedroom, the office, the park, or even in an empty field. So, to get started firstly create your preferred workout split. Since calisthenics splits are usually shorter you can add a day in for skills or core only. Next, that's it you can start working out. You may need to do some research to understand some movements, but some common movements are pushups, pullups, dips, crunches, handstands, and squats. 

    Make sure however you don't forget about flexibility and mobility. Calisthenics is meant to control your body weight in all situations. So, forgetting about flexibility and mobility will just lead to your losing range of motion and possible injury. 

Calisthenics Skills

    Calisthenics contains a set of skills that simply can't be done by training weights only. These skills can also be used to easily set goals for the future. Some skills include handstands, L-sits, human flags, planches, levers, and one-armed variants. Skills can be very tempting to go right into immediately upon starting your fitness journey but don't make this mistake. Skills need to be built up over a long period of time. Starting with easier variants is instead what you should do. These will give you a foundation to build up to in the future. 

Calisthenics vs Weights

    Calisthenics vs. Weights has been a long-time debate. It's all down to a person's preference and goals, however, there are some objective pros and cons of each. Weight training is much more injury-prone than calisthenics, because of ego lifting. Ego lifting is lifting a weight with improper form, that you could lift using good form. This cannot be done in calisthenics due to the absence of weights. However, weights are much more straightforward in the way of progressive overload. In weights, you can just add more weights, in calisthenics however it's much more complicated, and this can scare some people away. 

    However, it all boils down to personal preference. Some people may want the skills associated with calisthenics, so weights are off the table. Some people may want the overly large strength and size, which simply isn't achievable with calisthenics. If you don't have access to a gym, calisthenics can still be done compared to weights. Remember though fitness is all about happiness and flexibility, so find what makes you happy, and works for you.