Flexibility and Fitness: A Quick Guide to Calisthenics

Calisthenics is derived from the Greek words "kallos", meaning beauty, while "sthenos" means strength. There is enduring beauty during strength and flexibility training through lunging, pulling, lifting, and pushing movements. When one performs calisthenics vigorously and continuously, it enhances one's aerobic capacity and strength. In simple terms, calisthenics is bodyweight resistance training. During calisthenics exercises, one uses gravity, bodyweight as well as resistance. The exercise focuses on one's mobility, strength, endurance, and coordination.

Benefits of Calisthenics

Callisthenic exercises have many benefits. Not only does it enhances the body but also lifestyle and confidence. Here are some of the benefits of calisthenics.

Good for Beginners

Most calisthenics exercises are ordinary and simple. However, if one is starting a workout routine, the best exercises, to begin with, are calisthenics. They can help one to learn the safest ways and forms as they progress to more advanced exercises.

It’s Exciting

Calisthenics exercises are exciting to engage in. Once one master the basics. Calisthenics exercises let one build their flexibility and strength to a point where they can engage their bodies in activities they couldn't engage in before.

Done Anywhere

Calisthenics exercises depend on one's body resistance rather than equipment. It means one can engage in calisthenics exercises anywhere they are, including their hotel room, office, home, or park.

Enhances Everyday Movement

Calisthenics exercises are functional movements that enhance one's everyday strength, mobility, coordination, and stability.

Utilizes the Whole Body

Unlike most traditional weight exercises, calisthenics engages the whole body in the process. This means one enhances the full-body strength rather than focusing on different parts of the body at a go.

Makes One Resilient

Calisthenics exercises help one sustainably build strength and strengthen the entire body over time.

How Do You Begin Calisthenics at Home?

Before beginning training at home, choose some calisthenics exercises to engage the entire body. Some of these exercises include lunges, pull-ups, jumping jacks, and squats. Remember, calisthenics exercises lift the body weight, and there are thousands of options to select from. One should choose at least five exercises that seem engaging, fun, and easy to incorporate into their workout routine. One's calisthenics exercises should focus on the core, lower and upper body.
For the upper body, consider dips that target one's triceps and pull-ups that are great at enhancing the shoulder.

To enhance the lower body, consider squats, lunges, and body jumps. Some calisthenics exercises can also help one build their hips and back strength. Other calisthenics exercises like burpees are designed for the entire body.

The best way to start a calisthenics workout routine at home is to start with at least five sets of exercises. With time, one should increase the number of exercises they engage in to improve their endurance. When starting, one should focus on how to master their forms before adding the number of their reps.

If one is working on building muscles, they should use resistance bands and weighted vests to enhance their need in each rep. This way, their calisthenics workout routine will be more fun. There are also complex calisthenics exercises to engage in when one wants advanced exercises. But they are not ideal if one is just a beginner.

How Regularly Should One Train in Calisthenics?

If one's goal is to lose weight, they should engage in calisthenics exercise every day for at least thirty minutes if there are no high-intense or weight lifting workouts in the routine. Engaging in calisthenics exercises is the best way to burn calories without straining the body. The best thing about calisthenics exercises is one can do them with or without any equipment, and it can be done anywhere and anytime.

One can also do calisthenics exercise during their rest day if they have a constant workout routine. Calisthenics exercises are not strenuous as one is not exerting pressure on their body or lifting more than their body weight. If one is doing high-intensity and complex workouts, they need to take some days off between their routine. Do calisthenics on these rest days to tone the body and burn out some calories without pressuring the body.

How Long should One Wait to See Results From Calisthenics?

Calisthenics results depend on one's consistency and how hard they train. Results also depend on one's body weight and whether one is already in shape. If one sees no results after engaging in repetitive calisthenics exercises, they should not give up. People take a different period to see results. For some, it may be after a couple of days, while for some, it may be after months before they can put on their men’s jockstraps and strut around the beach.

Calisthenics exercises include simple exercises like squats and lunges to advanced exercises like muscle-ups. One can incorporate calisthenics into their workout routine. Depending on their training styles, or engage in calisthenics movements only. It is easier to do calisthenics exercise as one can do it anywhere and anytime with or without equipment.