The Calisthenics thread

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Sideshow Bob

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So, I came upon this and quite impressed how easily he does this. Started with just knee push ups + simple squats yesterday (my bad - I used to do 40+ pushups for that vitality test few years ago - how the "mighty" have fallen) :)

Anyone does primarily calisthenics here? My idea is to reduce weight first and then to be fit in general so I plan to do some static cycling along with cals. I am not interested in bulking up so I think calisthenics will do just nicely if done properly. I have some sandbags in garage that I need to dust up that will make up for "some" weight training if needs be.
 
Yeah, I do calisthenics mostly. There are only two pieces of exercise equipment that I use - a step, for step exercises, and a kettlebell. Well, two kettlebells to be exact - a 12kg and a 16kg.

I do tabata once or twice per week, and a more strength focused session also once or twice per week. Step session also once or twice per week.

The tabata is just a six and a half minute sprint. Standard tabata is 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, repeat 8 times. I do 20 seconds work, 20 seconds rest, repeat 10 times. Squats, kettlebell swings, pushups, mountain climbers and an ab exercise, repeat.

Strength - similar to the above but slower with more rest and more reps. I do kettlebell squats rather than just bodyweight squats.

Step session - bought the step thing recently. Essentially I want to add a little more cardio. I find that a step session is less intense than a tabata, about as intense as jogging, so it is fine for me.
 
My advice do everything you can until something catches your attention.

Try running, cycling, gym, calisthenics, boxing, swimming etc etc because only when you start enjoying what you are doing will you stick to it.

I love running and its become a part of my life but I have a friend who does this dance thing with a bow and arrow, he loves it and has lost like 20 kg's doing it.
 
Cough CrossFit cough cough

In all seriousness though.
You can scale the same as this.
It's class based so better motivation and social.
You'll be heavy breathing and sweating, so good for fitness.
 
surface said:

So, I came upon this and quite impressed how easily he does this. Started with just knee push ups + simple squats yesterday (my bad - I used to do 40+ pushups for that vitality test few years ago - how the "mighty" have fallen) :)

Anyone does primarily calisthenics here? My idea is to reduce weight first and then to be fit in general so I plan to do some static cycling along with cals. I am not interested in bulking up so I think calisthenics will do just nicely if done properly. I have some sandbags in garage that I need to dust up that will make up for "some" weight training if needs be.
Click to expand...

I've been into Calisthenics for about 4 years. I train very similarly to how @Ancalagon describes in his post above (but been doing more Cardio than strength lately.)

Calisthenics is a really good option for building everyday functional strength and has a number of benefits compared to other forms of resistance training.
 
surface said:

So, I came upon this and quite impressed how easily he does this. Started with just knee push ups + simple squats yesterday (my bad - I used to do 40+ pushups for that vitality test few years ago - how the "mighty" have fallen) :)

Anyone does primarily calisthenics here? My idea is to reduce weight first and then to be fit in general so I plan to do some static cycling along with cals. I am not interested in bulking up so I think calisthenics will do just nicely if done properly. I have some sandbags in garage that I need to dust up that will make up for "some" weight training if needs be.
Click to expand...

I prefer incline (Hands raised) pushups over knee pushups if you need an easier variation/regression because your form needs to be closer to that of a normal push up and you're starting to build some of the core strength as well as upper body.

He doesn't really explain in the video that you are using leverage to adjust the intensity of the pushup - placing your hands higher, makes the pushup easier and you can progress over time by elevating your hands less until you are able to do full pushups. Likewise, placing your feet elevated increases the difficulty over a normal push-up.

One of key principles of calisthenics is to 'earn the right to progress' - it is important to spend time on the easier variations of the exercises to build strength and condition yourself before moving on to the next level. A common mistake is to attempt more advanced exercises too soon which usually leads to slower progression and increases risk of injury. Be patient and build your strength on a foundation of rock and steel!
 
Bringing this thread back to life. are there any free or reasonably priced apps out there that won’t cost a fortune each month?
 
Adenoid Hynkel said:
Bringing this thread back to life. are there any free or reasonably priced apps out there that won’t cost a fortune each month?
Click to expand...
App for workouts?

Not an app, but Reddit > Bodyweightfitness > recommended routine. It’s about as good a calisthenics workout as you’ll find.

If you go on YouTube, you’ll get a few good videos about how to do the Reddit bodyweightfitness recommended routine as well.

Once you get into the swing of it, it’s so easy that you learn it by heart. Push-ups, pull-ups, inverted rows, squats, dips. Horizontal pushing, horizontal pulling, vertical pushing, vertical pulling.
 
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