Simply put, calisthenics is a kind of exercise that is better when you want to burn some calories. Of course, everyone knows that the more calories you get rid of, the faster you will get in shape. So, when people say calisthenics, they mean push-ups, crunches, squats, etc., which are training you can do anywhere, like in your bedroom, driveways, and even in parks that have some equipment meant for calisthenics use.
The more advanced kind of this training would be identical to gymnastics by using pull-up bars and other equipment.
The Advantages of Doing Calisthenics
Doing calisthenics and pairing it up with some gym workouts would make your body more robust and functional, which means you would be able to do everyday tasks more efficiently. Another advantage in doing this training is that most of them wouldn’t require you to have some equipment or machines for exercising – you only need yourself, weight, and gravity to build up your mobility, strength, and endurance.
If your goal is to build muscles rapidly, calisthenics wouldn’t be your best bet as it only builds muscle mass a little slower than lifting and a proper gym workout. But as gyms halt operations temporarily now and then, you wouldn’t be able to keep up the momentum of your training going. Unlike with calisthenics, you can do it virtually anywhere.
Even if you’re a beginner in working out, you can start with some basic calisthenics to get your body used to train. As you continue doing this training, your strength and flexibility will improve as it prepares your whole body. After this, you can continue your training in a gym and still incorporate calisthenics in between your gym workouts.
Some Calisthenics You Should Be Doing Now
Whether you’re a newbie at training or you’re someone who has been training for a few years now, there is a perfect calisthenics exercise for you out there. Of course, if you’re a beginner, you might want to start with some basic ones first. But overall, here are some of the best ones you should incorporate into your workout routine:
- Lunges
Lunges allow you to train your upper body and legs by keeping your torso straight as you alternatingly bend your knees and lower your body to the floor. Additionally, it helps in increasing your muscle mass which can tone your abdomen, butt, and legs while improving your overall posture and motion.
- Crunches
Crunches are a little similar to sit-ups, which could give you some six-pack abs the more you do it. Not only does training your abdominal muscles good for your upper body, but it also tones your abs and strengthens your lower back muscles. So, besides having some toned abs, doing crunches also helps you build your strength.
- Planks
If you want to train and strengthen your entire body, strengthen your abdominal and core muscles along with your lower back, then doing planks would be the calisthenics exercise you should do more of. Planking would also help you lessen your back pain, which could be expected after a long day of sitting down in front of your computer.
- Burpees
This exercise is a more advanced form of calisthenics that would train both your lower and upper body and help you improve your muscle strength and maintain your endurance. The name of this calisthenics might sound a bit funny, but doing burpees regularly would help strengthen the core muscles in your arms, chest, shoulder, abdomen, hips, buttocks, and legs.
- Handstands
If it’s your first time doing handstands, then you might want to ask for some support as it could be a little intense. But once you’ve mastered it, you will be able to build your strength in your shoulders and arms while improving your overall balance.
- Pull-ups
Pull-ups are the kind of calisthenics exercise that would require you to have a piece of equipment you can use to hold on to and pull yourself up. While it is a challenging workout that is more advance, it trains your arms, and it is also very effective in strengthening and conditioning the muscles at your back.
Train Harder, Get Fitter
Calisthenics isn’t an alternative to gym workouts, but you can look at it as a form of a companion to your workout routine. As mentioned, it requires little to no equipment to do each calisthenics exercise and give your body the training it needs. So, you should have no excuse to get up and strengthen your muscles and improve your overall health.
